Bob Starzyk (right) presented awards to longtime sponsors of the Classic Car Show. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Palos Heights: Classic Car Show celebrates but needs more volunteers
By Jeff Vorva
When it comes to the Palos Heights Classic Car Show, there is plenty to celebrate and also plenty to worry about.
The 20th running of the event took place in July and had a record 682 cars and the crowd was estimated at 6,000-8,000.
Bob Starzyk, the organizer for all 20 events, brought members of the Beautification Committee and longtime sponsors to the Sept. 19 city council meeting and handed out some awards.
After thanking the city, the police and public works, he handed out awards to three sponsors who have been there from the start – Capri Ristorante, Kallemeyn Auto Center and Noral Jewelers.
“Theay have been our support for each and every year,” Starzyk said. “Without them, we might not have a show.”
The sponsors presented Starzyk with a plaque as well for his work on the show the past two decades.
Starzyk also presented awards to longtime volunteers Lois Duran, Gary Duran, Jan Collopy-Majersky, Anne Grizadas and Brian Bohne.
While there was happiness and congratulations in the room for a job well done, Starzyk said the volunteer pool is getting a little thin.
“We don’t have the youth like we used to have 20 years ago,” he said. “There is no way possible we can do this without volunteers. With this small community right now, we need some younger people.”
Mayor Bob Straz agreed that volunteers are vital.
“We need more volunteers,” he said. “It’s hard to run this thing with a handful of people. The more people we have out there, the more organized it is.
“And it’s a way to get out and meet your neighbors. You can go out and meet people in town instead of just waving at them when they go down the street. Get out there and talk to people and see what’s going on. This is what makes our town what it is.”
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