Two of Rhode Island’s best-known classic car aficionados are about to embark on yet another important fundraiser to benefit Meeting Street School.
This Sunday, Aug. 18, George Arakelian and Jim Lombari will set up shop at the Smithfield Elks Lodge 2359 on Farnum Pike in hopes of breaking all previous records for the fourth annual Rhode Island Hot Wheels Toy Show and Parking Lot Cruise.
“We’re hoping for great weather and a great crowd,” said Lombari, who serves as president of the Rhode Island Hot Wheels Toy Club. “We’ll have all kinds of [toy car] vendors and everyone that attends will have an opportunity to win cash and other raffle prizes.”
Lombari said the event would run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the spacious Smithfield Elks hall and outdoors in the parking lot. A Custom Car Stereo, located at 1174 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, is sponsoring the event.
“George Arakelian is a veteran when it comes to producing top-notch car cruises and shows,” Lombari said of his partner for Sunday’s event. “He’s known for his great shows, and for this one he’s sponsoring the parking lot cruise as well as donating all the trophies.”
For those people familiar with such classic car events, Arakelian always has special trophies and is well versed in fundraising for charitable events, especially when it comes to Meeting Street School.
Arakelian’s wife, Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, makes an annual appearance on WPRI during the Meeting Street School Telethon and presents a check in memory of her cousin Rose Sabitoni-Randall. Her cousin was a teacher at Meeting Street School until she and her husband, Doug Randall, were killed during a motorcycle ride into Connecticut.
“We’ll welcome all cars, trucks and motorcycles at Sunday’s parking lot show,” Arakelian said. “There will be trophy presentations in a number of different car classes and the Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club will select its top pick for the show.”
Admission costs only $3 for adults, and children under 12 will be admitted free. Lombari and Arakelian announced that refreshments would be available throughout the show.
“If you’ve never seen this sort of event, you’ll be amazed by viewing all the classic cars and toys of our many collectors,” Lombari said. “Every part of the toy show as well as the parking lot cruise will offer people a look at cars of all makes and models.”
Moreover, for people interested in toy cars, the Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club is always accepting new members.
“We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 6 o’clock at the Kelley-Gazzerro VFW Post 2812 on Plainfield Pike, located on the Cranston-Johnston line,” Lombari noted.
People who’d like more information should call either Lombari at 447-9330 or Arakelian at 946-0010.
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