Pasadena car show brings families and police together to raise money for youth programs

The 24th annual Pasadena car show, held in front of City Hall, raised funds for two police-run youth programs and offered residents an informal chance to meet officers, organizers said.

A speaker representing the event said the show “benefits our two youth programs” and named the Police Activities League and Explorer Post 19 as the recipients of proceeds. The speaker added the event “brings the community of Pasadena together, Altadena, and the surrounding cities.”

Rosalind, who identified herself as a member of the SDR Volkswagen Club, said the club sponsors and partners with the Pasadena Police Department on the car show and the department’s Christmas toy drive. “We really like sponsoring and partnering with Pasadena Police Department,” she said, and urged families to bring young children so they can see vintage cars and interact with officers in a non-emergency setting.

A long-serving officer at the event noted the show’s history, saying he had been with the department for 32 years and that last year’s show was on Colorado Boulevard; this year’s location in front of City Hall provided what the speaker called a “picturesque” setting. Organizers displayed a range of police vehicles, including a SWAT vehicle, a helicopter and the mounted unit, and encouraged attendees to ask questions and learn about equipment they do not normally see on the street.

Event organizers and volunteers described the car show as both a fundraiser and an outreach opportunity: it raises money for youth programs and creates informal moments for community members and officers to talk, share interests and build relationships. The event’s organizers did not provide a dollar amount for proceeds or a detailed budget for the youth programs.

The car show’s stated beneficiaries and community outreach were the focus of the remarks; no formal motions, votes or policy actions were recorded during the segments provided.