Father-daughter duo put on 12th annual car show for pediatric diabetes

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Cadillacs and other classic cars lined up in Creve Ceour to raise money for children with pediatric diabetes.

Father-daughter duo Emily Thigpen and Dan Jones have put the car show on for 12 years. Both were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during their childhoods, so they felt inspired to make an event to help children navigating diabetes.

All funds raised from the car show go towards the Illinois Diabetic Pediatric Resource Center, which helps treat and education children with diabetes on their condition. Thigpen utilized the resource center when she was younger and wanted to give back to the program.

When the show opened Sunday morning, 130 cars were registered for the event. Registration costs $30 for each car, adding to the fundraising total. Thigpen and Jones hope to break the fundraising record they set of $9,600 and 205 cars in attendance. No matter what they raise, they’re amazed with how much the event has grown in the past 12 years.

“When we started it, we didn’t expect much and it’s gotten bigger word of mouth has gotten bigger,” Thigpen said. “We have somebody here from Arizona which is fantastic because he came just for the car show and -- who does that? From Arizona to Illinois for our car show? That’s amazing.”

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