25th Annual European Auto Show a Benefit for Shriners Hospital for Children

For 25 years now, the European Car show of St. Louis has been staged on the parking outside of Nieman Marcus at Plaza Frontenac as a benefit for Shriners Hospital for Children of St. Louis. The weather was perfect as some 10,000 car aficionados gathered at the Frontenac location to ogle foreign made cars and support such a worthwhile cause.

“We have our ambassadors, some of our patients out there shaking cans, collecting cash donations,” said Susan Bland, a spokesperson for the hospital. “We got $700 dollars that way last year, and each year the number gets bigger."

Altogether, the car clubs will put some $25,000 to $30,000 in the Shriners bank account. Everything is donated included vendor donations, car registrations, live and silent auctions, and other methods to raise cash for the cause.

“Needless to say, we are thankful for these efforts made on our behalf each year,” said Bland.

Patrons from miles around came to gaze at Lamberghini’s Audi’s, Bentleys, a Rolls Royce or two; Ferrari’s, Porsche’s, BMW’s and a host of other luxury automobiles.

The show has raised over $100,000 for the hospital since 2002 when Bentley of St. Louis took over sponsorship.