The annual charity gala held at the opening night of the Cincinnati Auto Expo raised $60,000 for the child passenger safety program at Cincinnati Children’s. The 2018 REV IT UP!! Sneak Peek VIP Party was the 25th such event, organized by the Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Associated and sponsored by the Enquirer.

This year’s party set records in attendance and funds raised. Over 500 automobile dealers, their employees, and other guests attended the event, with 100% of their ticket price going directly to benefit the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center (CCIC) at Cincinnati Children’s. These funds will go to provide car seats for children in the Greater Cincinnati with special needs and/or financial hardships.

Tim Timmerman and Jennifer Fritsch, radio personalities at WKRQ, served as the Honary Chairpersons for the event. The check was presented by representatives of GCADA including Dan Kommeth and Charlie Howard. Also present were Larry Brueshaber and Dr. Victor Garcia, who helped to form the initial partnership between GCADA and Cincinnati Children’s in 1993.

In the 25 years since, this partnership has expanded into a year-round public safety initiative known as Safe Travel For Kids!! that promotes proper use of child passenger safety seats to keep children as safe as possible in the event of an automobile accident. GCADA will celebrate National Child Passenger Safety Month in September with the annual car seat giveaway sponsored by Evenflo, PSAs and public outreach activities.