SOMERS, CT – Four years ago, Supreme Auto Service Center began to host charity car shows. A non-profit charity benefitting veterans had asked the business for their help organizing an event, and considering their passion for cars, Supreme Auto decided on a charity car show. On May 19, Supreme Auto is hosting their 4th Annual Charity Car Show to support America’s VetDogs.

Owner Larry Pettit and his wife Bonnie have been building and driving hot rods for years and own many. The pair shared their passion with one of their children, Kristie, at a young age. Kristie has a background in fundraising and event management, and she willingly took on the responsibility of putting on the charity events. After hosting their first event, the business decided to do a car show each year for a charity organization that benefits veterans.

“We decided that service dogs for veterans was a very good cause and started researching different organizations. We found America’s VetDogs and knew they were the right organization to raise funds for,” Kristie explained to Reminder Publishing. America’s VetDogs provide service dogs free of charge to veterans and first responders with disabilities.

“They don’t limit who they give service dogs to, they have a wonderful breeding and training program and they even train the veteran and service dog together for two weeks at their campus in Smithtown, New York,” Kristie said of America’s VetDogs. “We love being able to help these veterans in need and we know that they will benefit greatly from having a service dog.”

The Supreme Auto family was able to meet graduates of the VetDogs program in March, and Kristie noted the veterans were “so happy” to receive the dogs.

In 2016 there were approximately 70 cars in the show and they raised roughly $4,500. In 2017, there were 170 cars at the car show and raised $8,430. In 2018, there were roughly 200 cars and 500 attendees. They donated $10,555 to America’s VetDogs. This year, Supreme Auto hopes to grow the number once more and to be able to increase their donation to the organization.

There are between 18 to 22 categories that vehicles that participate in the show can be judged on. Each winner is given a hand–crafted trophy. Kristie explained there are several trophy builders who “put their hearts and souls” into making the trophies for the event.

There will be several judges who range from car enthusiasts, to mechanics, to award-winning car builders. Each judge judges categories that they are knowledgeable in. Some of this year’s categories include: all original, antique, paint, truck, several muscle categories, rat rod, interior, paint, import, street rod, hot rod, 4x4, motorcycle, special interest, and best in show.

There will be several food trucks on site at the show, including Bears Smokehouse BBQ, the Much Wagon and Kona Ice.  Additionally, there will be a DJ, raffles, vendors, goody bags, and dash plaques for the first 200 show cars.

“We know many, many veterans, some of which who already have service dogs. We want to continue to support our veterans for their commitment to their profession and for doing what they do each and every day,” Kristie said.

The 4th Annual Supreme Auto Charity Car Show to benefit America’s VetDogs will take place on May 19 at 10 a.m. at the Pleasant View Café located at 452 South Rd. (Route 83) in Somers. There is a rain date of June 2. Show car entry is $15, spectator entry is $5. Judging ends at 12:30 p.m. and raffles and awards will be at 2 p.m. For more information, go to supremeautosc.com/Charity–Car–Show or email SupremeAutoCT@gmail.com. TO learn more about the America’s VetDogs organization, go to vetdogs.org.