Klingberg Auto Show

With all the discouraging news about the economic crisis, we have positive and encouraging news at Klingberg Family Centers.  Many of the 100 businesses who have become 2008 Auto Show Sponsors to date, having themselves experienced a slowdown in their businesses, looked beyond their own budgetary issues and responded with generous giving. The total sponsorship giving this year is 30% higher than our best year. Many have shared with us their concern for Klingberg, as a non-profit in this economic environment, and want to make sure that we are able to continue to provide all the programs that are vital to the well-being of our communities. They know our client families, who were already struggling before the economic crisis, are now under increased stress and need our programs even more.

We want to thank our sponsors for their compassion for those less fortunate and their passion to help through their 2008 Auto Show Sponsorships at Klingberg Family Centers. Oftentimes, it is through crises that one’s true values, priorities and the heart of a business is revealed. Our sponsors are some among the best, civic -minded businesses around. Please click on the “2008 Sponsor” icon at the top of this page, look through the list of our sponsors, and if you have the opportunity thank them and bring them your business.

Thanks to Double A Charter Servcies of Rocky Hill,  Old “Bus Number 10” will return to to the City where it spent all of its years of service. This1953 General Motors first arrived in New Britain purchased by the Oak Street Bus Company. It was one of the first diesel buses in Connecticut, the shiny, new maroon and green 36-passenger bus is considered small by today’s standards. The Oak Street Bus Company was purchased by the Agostini Family who changed the name to New Britain Transportation Company (NBT), and the color to green and cream.

For years, Number 10 faithfully transported its riders from Eddy Glover Boulevard to Main Street downtown, stopping at Grants—the current location of Amato’s Toy and Hobby Store. It would also travel up Arch Street to the base of the hill where Klingberg Family Centers is located. To this day, youngsters who grew up at the Klingberg Children’s Home in the 50’s and 60’s recall fondly their trips downtown on Old Number 10.

Number 10 now makes its home in Rocky Hill and is owned by Double A Charter Services.  Recently, it flew by in a chase scene in the latest Indiana Jones movie. We are delighted to have Number 10 back in her hometown for a special appearance at the 2008 Klingberg Antique Auto Show.

WFSB newscaster Kevin Hogan was on the Klingberg Family Centers campus this past week to film a short promotional video. Soon it will be available for viewing on this website, to show visitors who have not attended the show, the uniqueness of the cars on display and the fun activities available for the whole family. Kevin Hogan is not a stranger to Klingberg Family Centers as he was our MC at a kickoff breakfast last year and attended the show. We thank him for volunteering his time and also look forward to seeing his 1958 MG at our show when its restoration is completed.

We also own a great debt of thanks to Jeff Olsen, owner of Northern Lights Communication, who through his Platinum Sponsorship of the 2008 Klingberg Auto Show is producing the video. Northern Lights has been a sponsor for many years and has filmed hours of the auto shows over almost 12 years. We are blessed to be surrounded by such talented and committed volunteers as Kevin Hogan and Jeff Olsen.