Checks for hundreds of dollars were presented Thursday to the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program from last year’s Fall Festival Car Show. Shown, from left, ROP Director Craig Lang, Chamber of Commerce President Dave Wilhite, car show organizer Stan Edington, Auto Instructor Jose Sanchez, car show organizers Ken Carbone and Linda Luis, Culinary Instructor Mike Schibler, Criminal Justice Instructor John Taylor and car show organizer Doug Nakaya.

By Robert Souza

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Castro Valley Fall Festival and Car Show officials presented the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program (ROP) with a handful of checks on Thursday from funds raised during last year’s Fall Festival car show.

The career-preparation program, based in Hayward, offers more than 135 courses in business, health and industrial technology to school sites in Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo.

“You have helped many students and programs and we thank you for your efforts,” said ROP Director Isabel Polvorosa during a directors meeting where donations were handed out to the automotive, culinary and criminal justice programs.

Earlier in the week, car show organizers delivered $1,000 in automotive shop tools to students the auto class and an addition $500 for an auto program scholarship fund. The culinary and criminal justice programs each received $750 checks.

“We had the best car show ever that sold out, said car -show volunteer Ken Carbone. “We couldn’t enter any more cars. We got a lot of people in the community interested in what we are doing.”