Why You’ll Want to Attend This Year’s Cars 4 Kids Driving Event

Two things in this world bring joy to a lot of people: cool cars and helping sick children in need. When you get a chance to combine the two, that’s an opportunity you can’t pass up. Mark your calendars for Aug. 20, 2023. Salt Lake-based Cars 4 Kids is hosting its 11th annual driving event and car show to benefit children and families at the Ronald McDonald House. 

Donated toys huddle around cars at last year's Cars 4 Kids Driving Event (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

In 2022, the nonprofit foundation raised just over $152,000; you can help take that number even higher this year. With a four-day grand tour driving event, a single-day driving event and a free, family-friendly car show to cap it all off, there are multiple ways to participate and make a difference.

Cars 4 Kids raised just over $152,000 in 2022 (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

Grand Tour event (four days)

If you love scenic drives and memorable experiences, the Grand Tour driving event is a great way to get involved in this year’s Cars 4 Kids festivities. This four-day excursion begins in Aspen, Colorado, on Aug. 16 and takes you through a mapped-out route. It concludes at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City on Aug. 20. 

Supercars drive through the mountain west in the Cars 4 Kids Grand Tour driving event (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

In addition to incredible accommodations, you’ll enjoy the company of some of the most generous and passionate members of the community, all while exploring new sights and roads. This event is limited to 30 cars; click here to register.

Cars 4 Kids Cruise (one day)

If you can’t commit to a four-day drive, the C4K23 Cruise is a single-day event on Aug. 20. It kicks off at LUXE Automotive in Salt Lake with some light refreshments and a cruise. You’ll meet up with the Grand Tour participants for a hosted lunch, provided by a former Iron Chef winner. 

Supercar owners support Cars 4 Kids by driving in the one-day Cruise (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

From there, Cruise and Grand Tour participants will caravan to the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake for the toy delivery and public car show. Register online for the single-day C4K23 Cruise.

Car show

The grand finale of the entire Cars 4 Kids event takes place at the Ronald McDonald House on the evening of Aug. 20, with a public car show and other family-friendly activities. Admission is free, but participants are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Magic Room at the Ronald McDonald House. 

This is a room stocked with toys for children who recently had surgery or may be having a tough day. With a special token, children can pick out any toy from the Magic Room to play with — and they often get one for siblings, too. 

Donated toys are taken to the Magic Room where children of the Ronald McDonald House can choose one to play with (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

You get a chance to brighten a child’s day by stocking up the Magic Room, but Analee Elfervig, vice president of Cars 4 Kids, said there are other compelling reasons to make a donation. 

“For every $5 people spend on new and unwrapped toys, they get a raffle ticket to enter to win some cool giveaways we’re doing,” she said. That means if you buy a $20 toy, you get four entries. To verify your purchase, be sure to save your receipts and bring them with you to the event.

Cars line up outside of the Ronald McDonald House as part of the event's car show (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

In addition to the raffle, there will be activities, face painting and food available for purchase. “Come enjoy a fun evening of generosity,” Elfervig said. “It’s super rewarding to see what you’re able to help do for the community.”

Who can participate?

Elfervig said that while all makes and models of cars are welcome to participate in the driving events, you might want to leave the electric vehicles in the garage. With limited charging options available along the planned routes, it’s not exactly electric friendly. As for the Aug. 20 car show, people of all ages are invited to attend.

Part of the mapped-out Grand Tour route takes drivers from Aspen, Colorado to Salt Lake City, Utah (Photo Credit: Cars 4 Kids).

Register today

With just a couple of spots left for the four-day Grand Tour driving event, and a limited number of cars admitted to the single-day Cars 4 Kids Cruise, you’ll want to sign up as soon as possible. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page or the Cars 4 Kids website.