Monmouth County Concours d'Elegance

AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIASTS PUT NJ KIDS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Concours d’Elegance to Benefit Horizons-NJ Summer Enrichment Programs

What do a rare 1937 Packard Limousine and 8-year-old
Valentina Paz have in common?  They both get a chance to shine thanks to the Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance and event founder, Jeff Cruz and family.  On
Saturday, October 6th automobile collectors and enthusiasts from the tri-state area and beyond will gather in Holmdel, NJ for this special charity event featuring over 135 antique automobiles on display.   All proceeds will benefit Horizons of New Jersey’s summer academic and recreational enrichment programs for kids living in low-income circumstances in Red Bank, Long Branch and Newark.  For Raphael and his 200+ fellow Horizons
“campers” in grades K-8, these funds mean another six weeks of reading, math, science, creative arts, swimming lessons, plus two healthy meals a day next summer and an opportunity to excel in school.

The Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance is an occasion
unlike any other in the state.  Set on picturesque Hop Brook Farm amidst neatly rowed cornfields and an 18th
century farmhouse, the event features an exhibition of pristine motorcars from 1900 – 1969, including notable automobiles such as Duesenbergs, Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs and Mercedes Benz.  From hundreds of entries, the finest automobiles are carefully chosen based on elegance, style and overall beauty.  After a public showing and judging, the Concours Grand Finale takes place with winning automobiles parading down “Victory Lane” to the cheers of appreciative spectators. 

However, the automobiles are only part of the story
according to Jeff Cruz, Founder and Chairman of the event.  Since its beginning in 2008, the Monmouth
Concours has raised over $200,000 for local charities.   “There is no doubt we could run a Concours on the merits of the automobiles alone. But the charitable aspect gives the event a greater purpose. From the onset, the committee wanted to serve the greater good,” he explains. 

This year, Cruz and his like-minded committee of auto
enthusiasts and philanthropists selected the Horizons Programs of New Jersey, which provides summer learning to overcome the achievement gap that affects low-income children at a devastatingly higher rate than their  classmates.   The programs are held on the campuses St.
Philips Academy in Newark and the Rumson Country Day School in Rumson and rely 100% on the generosity of businesses and individuals to operate each summer.
“Horizons is making a huge difference in the lives of underprivileged kids in our state. The Horizons summer program gives these kids the boost they need to
confidently succeed now and in the years to come.  We cannot think of a better mission than that and are proud to partner with Horizons in 2012, “ says Cruz.

The Monmouth County Concours d’Elegance is open to the public and is a family event. In addition to the display of vintage automobiles, there will be a food court and Fall fashion show.  The $10 admission fee is a tax-deductible donation to Horizons NJ.  Children ages 10 and under are admitted free.  Parking is provided at no cost courtesy of
Vonage.  For more information, please visit  MonmouthCountyConcours.com.  To learn more about Horizons, please visit www.horizonsnational.org/