The Road Kings of Burbank continued their tradition of giving back to the community on Tuesday, Oct. 13, distributing $8,000 to four local nonprofit organizations during the club’s monthly general meeting at the Burbank Elks Lodge.
Road Kings President Karen Arellano and community relations representative Don Baldaseroni presented $2,000 checks to Home Again Los Angeles, the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, the Burbank Police Foundation and the Burbank Historical Society.
Founded in 1952, the longtime car club will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027. Its annual car shows bring car enthusiasts and community members together while raising money to support local nonprofits.
Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley CEO Shanna Warren accepted the donation on behalf of the organization, which serves more than 6,000 children and teens at 34 locations throughout Burbank and the San Fernando Valley. Warren emphasized that community support helps keep its programs accessible to families.
“The thing that’s the best part about the Boys and Girls Club is we never turn a child away for an inability to pay, and that is absolutely because of support like yours,” said Warren.
Burbank Police Foundation co-founder Michael Hastings and President Christine Hatch accepted the organization’s check. Through events such as Shop with a Cop and Take a Scoop Out of Crime, the foundation creates opportunities for residents to connect with Burbank police officers. Its fundraising also supports equipment purchases, including protective bullet-proof vests for the department’s K-9 unit.
Home Again Los Angeles CEO Albert Hernandez accepted the donation and shared how the organization is expanding its services following its merger with the Burbank Temporary Aid Center earlier this year. Along with monthly grocery assistance, expanded weekday hours and food distribution on the first Saturday of each month are helping make support more accessible to working families.
“The funding is helping to provide a little bit more of a safety net for our families who are falling on hard times,” said Hernandez. He noted that the need extends beyond families to individuals and older adults facing financial hardship. “The facility is a beacon of hope, and we can only do it because of the Road Kings,” he said.
The Burbank Historical Society also received $2,000 to support its work preserving the city’s past. Founded in 1973, the organization collects and preserves Burbank’s history for future generations.
The Road Kings also presented Burbank’s VFW USS Gudgeon Ship 8310 with a plaque in appreciation of its proud support of the car club throughout the years. The meeting also included a tribute to Gino Gaudio, who has attended the Road Kings’ car shows for nearly 30 years and performed the national anthem to open the events. The club presented him with a plaque recognizing the voice that has become a familiar part of its gatherings. The inscription read, “For his beautiful voice we have listened to throughout the years at our many car shows.”
“You’re allowing me to do the thing that I love the most, and so to be recognized for that, and that my singing helps you in any way, it’s a great pleasure for me,” said Gaudio.
The car club just announced their save the date for the 2027 annual charity car show happening on Sunday, June 13th at Johnny Carson Park.
