By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent
Sunset Hills, MO – Hundreds of men, women, children of all ages and their four-legged, furry family members turned out for the LIUNA Cars for Cops car show and picnic held June 24 at Laborers’ Local 110 Union Hall in Sunset Hills.
The event, sponsored by the Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) and Sunset Ford, raised more than $5,000 for the St. Louis County Police Welfare Association, a non-profit organization that acts as a support alliance for police and their families in times of need. Hosted by Local 110, the picnic also offered attendees the opportunity to sign the “right-to-work” repeal petition.
In addition to the car and motorcycle show in which attendees chose the winners, the event featured live music, food and activities for children.
Highlights also included a St. Louis County Police helicopter that flew in and landed on the parking lot, demonstrations by the department’s bomb squad robot and performances by the department’s Pipes and Drums band.
Justin Allen, a one-year Local 110 member and an Air Force veteran, came up with the idea for the event and asked the union if it would sponsor it. Local 110 had never organized a car show, but it pulled together its resources to make it happen.
“We were looking for an opportunity to gather signatures on the ‘right-to-work’ repeal petitions, and we have this beautiful place where people could come see the cars, sign the petition and help a local charity,” Allen said. “It had all the right elements.”
Local 110 Business Manager Don Willey said he was pleased with the event’s turnout and happy to give back to the officers who serve the community. He said the union is hoping to make Cars for Cops an annual event.
“We have a good relationship with the St. Louis County Police Department’s United Community Action Network, and the welfare association provides financial assistance to officers in need so they can continue to serve,” Willey said.
During the event, Sunset Ford General Sales Manager Pete Heutel presented Lt. Karl Bulla, the association’s board president, with a check.
“We are happy to be able to support the police department and the services and sacrifices its officers make in the community,” Heutel said.
On behalf of the association, Bulla thanked Sunset Ford and Laborers’ Local 110 for their support.
Here are some additional photos from the event. – Labor Tribune photos
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