Driven to Donate – Pasadena Now

Melanie Sauer, Steve Russell, Denis Dyer, Paul Brassard, Ginger Umutyan, Donna Pierson, Aaron Weiss, Valerie Weiss, Wolfgang Kupka, Patricia Ostiller, Dia DuVernet, Alexa Barajas, Kanayo Keri. [Eddie Rivera / Pasadena Now]

Happily gathering up the proceeds from the 2024 San Marino Motor Classic held this past summer, Aaron Weiss, founder and CEO of the event, distributed a total of $295,000 to six local nonprofit organizations Monday morning.

Weiss presented the checks at his Flying A Garage in East Pasadena, where he houses his fabulous private collection of American classic automobiles.

The event, now in its 14th year, was originally established to raise funds to improve communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

“We are very excited to get this money,” said Donna Pierson, founder of GIVE-MENTOR-LOVE, an organization which helps rescue sexually exploited children. “They’ve been helping us for years and we truly appreciate what they do, and I hope everybody gets out there and supports them because they help support everybody in the Los Angeles area.

“We couldn’t do it without donors like them,” Pierson added,  “so it really helps. Everything helps.”

Kanayo Keri, administrator for Shriners Children’s Southern California, was equally grateful, saying, “We’ve received funds through this event and it makes a profound difference in the lives of children facing complex pediatric and orthopedic conditions, and it helps them receive the life-changing care they need, regardless of their ability to pay.”

“The San Marino Motor Classic has been a generous supporter for 13 years now,” said Dia DuVernet, CEO of the Pasadena Humane Society,  “and really, over that time, have given over $1.2 million to the shelter, and it really helps us to save animal lives in the community.”

Finally, Aaron Weiss, founder of the San Marino Motor Classic, said, “The car show has become a fundraiser, and that was kind of our original mission, to raise money for charity as well as display the cars and have a car event. And for me, it’s been a pleasure to take my passion and turn it into a vehicle, no pun intended, that raises money for these really great charities in our community. So it’s been a pleasure to do that.”

Planning is now underway for the 14th annual San Marino Motor Classic which will be held in Lacy Park on August 24, 2025. Currently, more than 300 cars have been registered for next year’s event, according to spokesperson Stephanie Johnson.

The event will include the Automotive Fine Arts Society art, expo and sale, the Symphony of Cars Gala, and the San Marino Motor Classic concourse. The goal of 2025 is to realize net proceeds of $500,000, added Johnson. As of September 30, 2024, $135,000 has been pledged in support of the 2025 fundraising drive.

For more information see https://sanmarinomotorclassic.com/