Nicolas Wade, superintendent of Elmwood Park School District 401, said Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., is influential in the Elmwood Park community.
“It’s an important learning opportunity for our students,” he said.
The D.A.R.E. Car Show took place on Aug. 24 in the Elmwood Park Circle. According to car show co-founder Peter Volpe, the event raises money for the program in local schools.
“All of the schools in Elmwood Park participate in the D.A.R.E. program, including the private schools,” he said.
The car show featured 150 cars, according to Volpe. The event also included bocce ball, a DJ, a split-the-pot effort and a raffle. The Elmwood Park Fire Department passed out popcorn to kids.
“Each car paid $10 to have their car in the show,” Volpe said. “The money raised will go towards buying supplies for the D.A.R.E. program.”
According to dare.org, the D.A.R.E. program is “designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools they need to resist drugs, alcohol, and other high-risk behaviors.”
Wade said there’s an expectation from students, teachers and parents in the D.A.R.E. program in Elmwood Park schools.
“Although we have our health program, the D.A.R.E. program focuses on consequences when students are ever offered drugs or alcohol,” he said.
Retired officer Bruce Bogg is the D.A.R.E. instructor, and said students have a 10-week lesson about tobacco, alcohol, violence and drugs.
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“After 10 weeks, we have a graduation,” he said. “The D.A.R.E. car show helps purchase pens, pencils and T-shirts.”
Volpe explained that eight years ago, there were cutbacks in the budget for the D.A.R.E. program. In order to pay for supplies, Volpe and Elmwood Park Deputy Police Chief Andy Hock decided to have a car show to raise funds.
“We have classic cars and newer cars in our car show,” Volpe said. “We have Corvettes to Jeeps and some cars from the 1950s.”
Volpe said that the car show used to be located in Central Park, but it was moved to the Circle to bring revenue to local businesses, such as eatery 18 West.
River Grove resident Frank Faruggia brought some of his cars to the car show. Faruggia said his collection consists of 28 cars, five fire trucks and 38 motorcycles.
Faruggia brought a vintage River Grove police and fire truck to the Elmwood Park car show.
“There aren’t enough guys like Andy Hock,” he said of one of the reasons why he supported the car show.
Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano said D.A.R.E helps students understand the importance of staying away from drugs, alcohol and bullying.
“The money we raise allocates supplies for the D.A.R.E. program,” Hock added. “It’s great for our community to come out.”