Houston Brewery Workers Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Charity Car Show, Expect 300 Classic Cars April 30 at Their Fundraiser to Benefit United Way

HOUSTON, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees at the Budweiser brewery in Houston have organized a car show fundraiser to benefit the United Way since 1981. The tradition continues this year as more than 300 classic cars of all makes, models, years and colors will compete at the 20th annual "United Way Bud Classic Car Show."

The show will be on Saturday, April 30, at Anheuser-Busch's Houston Brewery, 775 Gellhorn near the intersection of I-10 East and I-610 East. Other supporters of the event are Silver Eagle Distributors, Yellow Cab and the Bud Cruisers Car Club. Inquiries about participating can be sent to [email protected].

At the car show the United Way of Greater Houston will receive a $48,961 check from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. When coupled with employee donations of $48,722 from last year's campaign, local contributions from the brewer total more than $98,000.

"We've enjoyed the support and partnership of Anheuser-Busch and its employees for decades," said Anna Babin, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Houston. "Their commitment to the United Way here in Houston truly helps strengthen our community and makes a lasting difference."

Money raised at the car show will push the total local contribution this year over $100,000, said Rick Wohlfarth, general manager at the brewery.   

"For the last 20 years the car show has been coordinated and run by volunteer Anheuser-Busch employees in Houston, who always give generously to the United Way – including a great deal of time organizing and staffing this show," Wohlfarth said. "Thanks to all our employees who came together to support such a worthy organization. They know their donations and those from our company's foundation will go to help our neighbors in Houston."

The event is free to spectators and will feature a charity auction to benefit United Way. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon, with the car show taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An awards presentation will be from 2 to 3 p.m.  Also on display will be the Texan's Truck, Bud Light Hummer, the Shock Top Volkswagen and the Pro Street 55 courtesy of Silver Eagle Distributing. 

"There's a lot of attention to detail in the restoration process of these great cars," Wohlfarth said. "Our employees exhibit a similar passion each day – whether it's organizing a community event like this or in their day-to-day jobs brewing and packaging our beers."

Anheuser-Busch and its charitable foundation have supported United Way of Greater Houston for many years.  The Anheuser-Busch Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anheuser-Busch, donating funds to hundreds of charities each year in communities across the country.

The donations will be used to support a number of local health and human service programs through 15 nonprofit agencies.

United Way of Greater Houston seeks to improve people's lives by creating lasting changes in conditions that affect its communities. United Way collaborates with local business, government, nonprofits, faith-based groups and individuals to define and address the most pressing problems. At the same time, United Way continues its tradition of helping area residents meet basic health and human service needs by supporting innovative programs that have positive, measurable outcomes.

Anheuser-Busch and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have established a legacy of supporting communities through charitable donations. Anheuser-Busch and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have donated more than $450 million to charitable organizations since 1997, including those that support the environment, economic development, education, as well as disaster preparedness/relief and support of those who serve our country. This is in addition to the volunteerism of employees from coast to coast for initiatives such as river and stream clean-ups and other community betterment projects, including locally partnerships with the Galveston Bay Foundation

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.3 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers.  The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.  Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer.  Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch