By Joyce Rudolph
BurbankNBeyond
The Burbank Road Kings car club shifted into high gear and distributed $18,000 to its community charities during a dinner meeting on Sept 11 at the Elks Lodge. The funds were raised by two car shows during the year.
President Rick Kalisz conducted the meeting and called for a moment of silence to remember victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and their families.
Representatives from local charities took the stage to thank the Road Kings for their donations and deliver a synopsis of what their organizations do.
Burbank Historical Society board members Les and Elaine Rosenberg accepted the donation. Elaine Rosenberg noted that the society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum, next door to the Creative Arts Center in Izay Park, is one of Burbank’s greatest treasurers — as well as the city’s best kept secret.
“We really don’t want to be,” Elaine Rosenberg said, adding the facility is open from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, has guest speakers, tours for children, a vintage auto display and displays of such businesses in town like Lockheed, Disney and Warner Bros.
Also receiving donations were Burbank Police Captain Denis Cremins, representing the Burbank Police and Fire Museum, and Assistant Fire Chief Kenet Robertson and Engineer Terry Mencuri, accepting a donation for the Burbank Muster Club. The Muster Club, a group of firefighters that are history buffs, is restoring two antique fire vehicles they will have on display at Road Kings car shows and other special community events.
Donations were given to Burbank Park and Recreation Management Services and Joslyn Adult Center, and were accepted by city employee Lisa Deluca. Funds raised go to programs for children through adults at local parks and programs, resources, activities for seniors 55 and older, Deluca said.
“Thank you for bringing more into Burbank to make life fun,” she told the Road Kings.
Other donations were made to Kids Charities of the Antelope Valley, Boy Scouts of America Verdugo Hills Council, Boys & Girls Club, Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Burbank High School auto shop, Burroughs small engine repair, La Providencia Guild of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Tierra del Sol, Relay for Life, Haiti Children’s Playground, high school scholarship fund, National Hot Rod Assn. Museum and food and gifts for two families in the Burbank Coordinating Council Holiday Basket program.
