Rittenhouse Village at Portage hosted its 9th Annual Charity Car Show on Thursday, August 8. This much-anticipated event featured an evening filled with classic cars, community, and nostalgia.
The car show, which has become a staple event for Rittenhouse Village residents and the Portage community, is co-hosted by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce. Car enthusiasts were invited to showcase their prized vehicles, which included everything from antique models to souped-up hot rods and even modern vehicles. This event is more than just a car show, it focuses on bringing the community together, creating connections, and giving back.
“This event makes our residents feel like they're connected to the community outside, which is extremely important,” said Danielle Balek, senior lifestyle counselor at Rittenhouse Village. “We have good music and play songs that take them back to their childhood. I really enjoy the camaraderie and seeing all the different people and their cars. There are a couple of people out there who bought vehicles owned by some of the residents who live here.”
The car show was open to all vehicles, with trophies awarded in several categories, including People’s Choice, Resident’s Choice, Chamber’s Choice, and Castle’s Choice. The diverse set of cars on display sparked the interest of all attendees, from seasoned car enthusiasts to residents reminiscing about the vehicles they once owned or admired in their youth.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie, all the different people that bring their cars, and then seeing the reactions of residents, some who used to own similar cars,” Balek said. “They're able to talk with people about their vehicles.”
Not only does the show bring the community together, some of the profits made are donated to charity.
“This year we switched it up a bit; 50% of the proceeds go to a charity of choice, and this year we chose the Porter County Aging & Community Services,” Balek said. “They have really done a lot for the community, and they like to help with things like low-cost transportation for seniors—they just added about 10 new buses. We want to support them as they support our residents and the seniors in the community.”
Along with bringing individuals together, Rittenhouse Village is bringing organizations together in their efforts to foster a strong, supportive community environment.
“Rittenhouse Village is trying to make connections within the community just like the Chamber of Commerce, so it was a perfect idea for us to partner with them,” said Nancy Simpson, executive director of the Portage Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great event; it's our ninth year hosting it. The residents love it because they're able to come out and get some fresh air. They get to look at the cars that they have probably worked on and souped up in their day. They love to have conversations with the car owners, and everyone seems to be having a really good time.”
In addition to the car show, participants enjoyed a complimentary lunch and the chance to win raffle prizes.
“Part of our mission is to keep our residents as active and involved in the community as they can be.” Balek said. "We believe it makes them feel complete because family events are important. Our whole motto here is ‘No place like home.’”
As the 9th annual Charity Car Show came to a close, the residents of Rittenhouse Village and the Portage community shared an evening of memories, bonding, and an appreciation for the classic cars of their lifetime.
For more information on Rittenhouse Village at Portage, visit rittenhousevillages.com.