San Jose Car & Truck Show set to celebrate 10th anniversary as Snyder Center fundraiser

By Joe DeSalvo

Special to St. Augustine Catholic

Organizers of the San Jose Car & Truck Show are driven to make the upcoming 10^th anniversary event a special one as it’ll be a day of celebration and reflection for what has become one of the most popular judged shows on the First Coast.

The San Jose show, which debuted with a modest field of 21 cars in 2016, is expecting its third-straight turnout of more than 100 vehicles — from classics to customs — on Saturday, April 5. It’ll take place at Dupont Station, located at 6271 St. Augustine Road, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Key Buick GMC Hyundai and North Florida Lincoln return as presenting sponsors of this fundraiser for the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center at San Jose Apartments for seniors.

The community’s hub is located between HUD-assisted San Jose Apartments I and II on Galicia Road. It was named in honor of the late Bishop John J. Snyder. Many of the activities and services for the 99 senior residents are held at the center, which doesn’t receive HUD assistance. The complex is managed by Family Housing Management Company for the Diocese of St. Augustine.

The event is free, while day-of-show vehicle registration is $25. There will be a DJ, refreshments and plenty of door prizes.

Last year’s show had 103 vehicles from various eras competingfor awards in 12 classes. The show raised a record $12,152 for the center.

The San Jose Apartments board of directors and staff also secured support from additional sponsors and received generous donations at the show to propel this annual fundraiser over the $72,000 mark in total funding since its inaugural show.

Alma Ballard, executive director/management agent of Family Housing Management Company, is appreciative of the support given to San Jose Apartments and the Bishop Snyder Center.

“In the nine years of the show, it has been amazing to see the growth and community support,’’ Ballard said. “Sustaining the show for 10 years is a milestone and testament of how important it is to serve and support.

“We have been truly blessed by the outpouring of the community to support the Snyder Community Center and the seniors who call San Jose Apartments home,’’ Ballard said.

Ballard and the board have done an outstanding job securing and retaining sponsorships on all levels.

“We couldn’t do without our sponsors,’’ Ballard said. “You get ‘X’amount of cars attending the show, but the true funds come in from the sponsors, who are friends, people that have heard about us or people within the community. They understand the need and they’re just so open and willing to support it. I don’t even have to just say, ‘Are you willing to do it again next year?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ It’s amazing.’’

The show has also received invaluable help from the First Coast Car Culture, led by founder and president Chris Brewer. The group, which produces the monthly Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville cruise-in at The Avenues mall, agreed in 2022 to donate its time and resources to support the event.

“I think it just brought our show to another level,’’ Ballard said. “Chris has shared his contacts and knowledge with marketing and social media. And people know him. They respect him. And if Chris says, ‘It’s a good show and you need to come out and support this group,’ people do it.’’

Brewer says the San Jose show is a special one for his group.

“The First Coast Car Culture team continually strives to make Jacksonville a better place for the automotive community,’’ Brewer said. “Knowing that we can rally car enthusiasts in an effort toraise funding for the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center is truly a highlight of the year.

“Thanks to the sponsors and the San Jose Apartments Board of Directors and staff for making this yearly event possible,’’ he added.

In an area of the state that perennially has a crowded spring car calendar, the San Jose Car & Truck Show has done a solid job of building and sustaining a stellar reputation.

Judging by Dan Scanlan’s experience with the show, that’s quite true.

“What it says about this show is that people are aware that it’s here; they know the quality is here,’’ said Scanlan, a veteran and award-winning automotive journalist and now news reporter for WJCT, who has judged all nine shows.

“They know they get a fair shake when it comes to judging,’’ Scanlan said. “They know that the money goes to a very, very necessary cause [the Snyder Community Center]. And the bottom line is, it’s a nice place to hang out and be with your car buddies. We see lot of new folks with new cars, who had obviously gottenthe word that there was cool stuff to be seen and be seen with.’’

Eric Thompson, general sales manager of Key Hyundai knows firsthand how the San Jose Car & Truck Show has grown over the years and what it means to the residents of San Jose Apartmentsas well as to the dealership group.

“We value our relationship very highly; we feel like it’s part of our DNA to be part of this effort,’’ Thompson said. “We’ve made so many good friends and relationships from being involved. It’s just such a big, friendly group of people who are all working toward the same goal in a spirit of generosity for the San Jose residents.

“And they just love cars,’’ said Thompson, who’s been with Key for 36 years. “We do, too, and that’s why we’re out there in the first place.’’

The show has proven to be great off-site venue for Key Auto Company and North Florida Lincoln to introduce their latest models to showgoers.

The four automotive brands of the Lynch Automotive Group will be represented at the show with several 2025 models available for test drives.

The Hyundai lineup includes the highly acclaimed three-row Palisade and Santa Fe SUVs and electric IONIQ 5. Buick’s on-site models will include the SUV Envista, an exciting new subcompact SUV.

Key GMC will have the electric Sierra full-size pickup and the eye-catching Hummer EV SUV, featuring top-of-the-line technologylike Crabwalk. Watch the rear wheels turn in phase with the front ones, allowing the pickup to move diagonally to help traverse tight trails.

If you prefer luxury over brawn, plan on checking out the Corsair, Nautilus and Navigator SUVs from North Florida Lincoln.

And, if you’re into a fun ride, you’ll enjoy taking a spin around the show in a MOKE — an electric resort-style four-passenger vehicle from MOKE America Jacksonville. North Florida’s lone MOKE dealership is located at the Key/North Florida Lincoln complex on Southside Boulevard and Gate Parkway.

In addition to retaining Key Automotive Group and North Florida Lincoln as presenting sponsors, the San Jose Apartments board of directors and staff have worked hard to secure sponsors for all 12 judged classes.

Walsh Investment Consulting Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network enhanced its support of the show in 2024 by becoming the show’s platinum sponsor. Louis V. Walsh, IV, CFA is Managing Director — Investments for the practice and a firm believer in giving back to the community. He will be sponsoring the Best Truck (Pre-1980) award.

Returning as a gold sponsor is A-Coin & Stamp Gallery, located at 6217 St. Augustine Road. Owner Bill Hatchett is a rare coin and currency expert who has served Jacksonville for more than 40 years. He’s also a car enthusiast and sponsor of the Best of Show award.

Silver sponsors are Jerry and Kathy Weedon, also sponsors of the Best Mustang award; Jeff and Annette Edwards, who are new sponsors of the Best Import (Pre-1980) award; Morgran Mini Warehouses, also sponsor of the Best European (Pre-1980) award; Chris and Tabitha Wilkey, also sponsors of the Best Corvette; Trad’s Pest Control, also sponsor of the Best American (Pre-1980) award; and the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust, new sponsor of the Best Mazda award — a new class for this year’s event

Returning as sponsor of the People’s Choice Award is the Mandarin Krispy Kreme store.

The second- and third-place ribbons are again being sponsored by The Forde Firm, LLC, a business and non-profit accounting firm. Hospitality sponsor is the San Jose Knights of Columbus.

As for the San Jose Car & Truck Show’s future, Ballard foresees more milestone anniversaries.

“The groundwork is there, the plans are there,’’ she said. “It’s about just going forward and executing. We will continue to build the relationships and make it a quality show that people want to come to.’’

Here’s a complete list of this year’s awards and show sponsors:

Best of Show: A-Coin & Stamp Gallery
People’s Choice Award: Krispy Kreme – Mandarin
Best American (Pre-1980): Trad’s Pest Control
Best Import: Joe and Mary DeSalvo
Best Import (Pre-1980): Jeff and Annette Edwards
Best Mustang: Kathy and Jerry Weedon
Best Modern Era Car: IMC Jax
Best Corvette: Chris and Tabitha Wilkey
Best Truck: Jason Miller, attorney, Morgan & Morgan
Best Truck (Pre-1980): Walsh Investment Consulting Group
Best European: Sol Pool Services
Best European (Pre-1980): Morgran Mini Warehouses
Best Mazda Miata: Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust