Local Car Show to Benefit Officer Robert A. Lasso Memorial Fund

One of passions was working on his 1976 Pontiac Firebird. The passion was so strong -- and so full of Armor All -- that passengers would slide forward when he braked, the Rev. Richard L. Teitsworth remembered in a report in The Morning Call. 

In the days after Lasso was , the Officer Robert A. Lasso Memorial Fund was established for Lasso’s wife and two young children.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, the Colonial Regional Police Association will wrap all of Lasso’s pride and enjoyment into one event -- his 1976 Pontiac Firebird will be the focal point during the 1st Annual Benefit Car Show, and all proceeds will benefit the fund set up in Lasso’s name. 

“All of the fundraisers for Officer Robert Lasso have been extremely successful,” said Andy Laudenslager, an officer with who is spearheading the event. “It just made sense to hold a fundraising event around his Firebird.”

A T-shirt benefit for Lasso was held during Palmer Township's Community Days last year.

Laudenslager did not know Lasso personally, he said. However, he did attend Lasso's funeral and remembered seeing the Firebird in the procession.

According to Laudenslager, Lasso and Freemansburg Police Chief George Bruneio had planned to attend a car show the week after Lasso’s death.

In a letter to businesses seeking donations and prizes, Laudenslager explained that Lasso often took his Firebird to car shows and would take his kids on "cruise nights."

“This benefit car show is something that I know Officer Lasso would be proud of, knowing the thing he loved most about his classic Firebird will live on in his memory through this event,” Laudenslager wrote.

The 1st Annual Benefit Car Show will be held at the Hanover Township Municipal Park, 3630 Jacksonville Road.

Registration starts at 9 a.m., and awards start at 3 p.m.

Prizes will include:

• Unique police trophies will be awarded to the Top 25
• Best of Show (3-foot trophy)
• Best Paint
• Best Engine
• Best Interior
• Most Club Participants
• Officers’ Choice
• Door Prizes and 50/50 Raffles 

The cost to enter -- if registered by Aug. 19 -- is $10. If registered on the day of the show, the cost is $12.

Registration forms are available by printing the PDF at the top of this article, or by visiting colonialregionalpd.org.

In case of rain, the show will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23.

DJ Mark D with Dream Weaver Entertainment will provide the music, while Vince's Cheesesteaks and Pizza Village IV will handle the food.

If you’re in the market for a new car, Milham Ford, Brown-Daub Dodge and Faulkner Chevrolet Cadillac will have car displays. Colonial Regional Police vehicles will also be on display.

For more information, contact Andy Laudenslager at alaud300@aol.com.