Car show benefits law officers' families

They worked to protect the public, and now law enforcement officers stricken by cancer will be supported by an area club's car show.

The Cruise for a Cause isn't until Nov. 3, but Mi Vida Car Club has kicked off registration weeks in advance to give participants enough time to restore, refurbish or otherwise apply cosmetic touches to vehicles they plan to enter in the judged event.

In what will be the third year of the show, the club plans to hand out about 150 trophies for entries in 50 different categories of automobiles, classic cars, motorcycles and even bicycles, said Richard Craig, a Mi Vida member and organizer of event.

“We are doing the event to benefit police officers and firefighters from the Yuma area who suffer from cancer. We see that there are events to help children, veterans and other groups, but there was nothing for them.”

The competitive show is open to entries from clubs as well as individuals, he said.

Beneficiaries from this year's show will include the families of two area law enforcement officers who died over the past year from cancer: Victor Martinez, a special agent with U.S. Homeland Security, and Hilbert Celaya, a Yuma police officer.

“Unfortunately we couldn't help them in life, but we are going to present (proceeds from the car show) to their families,” Craig said.

Cocopah Casino will be the site of the Nov. 3 show. Admission will be $5 for adults and free for children.

An entry fee of $20 will be charged for autos and motorcycles, while the fee for bicycles will be $15.

For more information about the show, call 1-928-941-4151 or 1-928-446-6714, or visit www.facebook.com/mividacarclub.