Bimmerfest is a community of BMW enthusiasts and the largest BMW car show in North America. “Each year BMW owners come together to share their collective passion for the brand and their cars, but more importantly, to give back to those need,” shares Jon Shafer, Bimmerfest Founder. “As Founder of Bimmerfest, I’ve always taken great pride in one particular element of the show, the Bimmerfest “Opportunity Drawing”. There is no doubt that those of us who are fortunate enough to drive BMWs are privileged. Sometimes we take it for granted, and the raffle provides us with a unique opportunity to give something back to the universe, or “pay it forward” if you will. Over the years our Bimmerfest sponsors have donated some truly amazing prizes that have helped us sell tickets — resulting in excellent cash generation which we then forward to a certain selected nonprofit charity. This year we have chosen New Beginnings Counseling Center as our recipient.” The agency helps middle class families struggling to regain their footing in today’s difficult economy.
“We are thrilled to be selected by Jon and Bimmerfest,” says Executive Director and fellow BMW-enthusiast Kristine Schwarz. “Our mission – to provide the assistance necessary for all members of our community to thrive – will be well-supported at this event.” New Beginnings Counseling Center provides mental health counseling, case management services, and overnight shelter for homeless families and individuals who live in their vehicles, through its Safe Parking Program™, often regarded a model program by international media examining the homelessness crisis. It has been featured by NBC Nightly News, NPR, PBS, CNN, the Discovery Channel, People Magazine, the Larry King Show, and most recently in an 11-page article in Rolling Stone magazine.
This year’s sponsors of the “Opportunity Drawing” so far include KW automotive North America Inc., the Suspension Source, Morr Wheels, Motorsport Hardware, and Mackin Industries. Past recipients of Bimmerfest’s “Opportunity Drawing” include A-OK Afterschool Program, CALM, Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara, Kids and Bikes Foundation, and the Unity Shoppe of Santa Barbara.
The 14th Annual Bimmerfest will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 9:00am to 3:00pm, on grass lot H at the Rose Bowl at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA. 91103. Entry fee is $20 to park in the show or $15 per person to walk in. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit http://www.bimmerfest.com.
New Beginnings Counseling Center, located at 324 East Carrillo Street, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, (805) 963-7777, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.sbnbcc.org.