By Jim Newell

Review Editor

Downtown Lake Orion, warm summer weather and classic cars aligned, creating a perfect day for the Golling Buick GMC annual Kids & Kops classic car show on Saturday.

Golling Buick GMC and the Lake Orion Police Association co-host the car show, which included classic vehicles – trucks, hot rods, muscle cars, sedans and antiques – the Lake Orion police officers, music from emcee Rockin’ Ronnie, cruiser awards and vendors.

And while everyone let the good times roll, the real beneficiaries of the car show are Orion area families – that’s because the show was a fundraiser for the Lake Orion Police Association’s Kids & Kops and Shop with a Hero programs.

Car show organizer Bill Kokenos said they were originally hoping to raise $2,000 or more for the police association.

Instead, they doubled their fundraising goal.

“We had more cars than we’ve ever had. This is fabulous. We had the perfect day for this,” Kokenos said. “And I don’t know where all of the foot traffic came from, but it’s amazing.”

Kokenos said they gave out more than 100 cruiser awards; had more than 200 vehicles entered into the car show; and raised $4,000 for the Lake Orion Police Association through registration fees, donations and raffles.

The Lake Orion Police Association uses its funds for the annual Shop with a Hero Christmas program, Kids & Kops fun nights at Blanche Sims Elementary, sponsoring local youth sports teams and helping area kids and families in need throughout the year.

Golling Buick GMC General Manager John Cooper has always supported the community, and hosting the car shows to support area non-profits is one way that Golling gives back.

This is the seventh car show Golling has hosted in downtown Lake Orion. Prior to that, the car shows were at the Golling Buick GMC dealership on Lapeer Road in Orion Township.

Kokenos said another one of the goals in moving the car show back to downtown Lake Orion was to bring people downtown and showcase the businesses.

“I think it’s really great getting people down here to see the village. I don’t know how much business the local businesses are doing, but at least it’s exposing new people to the village,” Kokenos said.

To donate to the Lake Orion Police Association’s Kids & Kops programs, visit lakeorion.org for contact information, or call 248-693-8321.