AUBURN #- There is nothing like the roar of a powerful motor and the shiny gleam of chrome from a classic car.

This is a thrill that members of the Antique Automobile Club have been more than happy to share with the community since the '70s when the club hosted its first classic auto show at the Agricultural Museum.

“There were over 100 cars when they did the first show,” said club member Tina Phillips. “The following year there were 200 cars, and then it got so big, they had to move it over to Emerson Park. Now every year we get 200 to 300 cars, and a lot of people who want to come out and look at the cars and talk about them.#”

Sunday will mark the 34th annual classic automobile show, an event that Phillips believes the club has worked hard to make an enjoyable event for everyone.

“We've tried to make it a little more family oriented,” Phillips said. “We do face painting and have coloring contests and things like that for the kids and there are of course all the cars. But we really want to have a fun day that the whole family can come out for.”

But there is more to the club than just nice cars.

For many years the club has been dedicated to helping local charities, with a specific focus for Meals on Wheels.

Phillips said that Meals on Wheels is a program that has been near and dear to the club.

“My brother-in-law and other members of the club had fought cancer and they received meals,” Phillips said. “So that really hit home with us and we wanted to be able to help them out.”

All the proceeds the club raises with the auto show go directly to Meals on Wheels and the Senior Nutrition Program.

“We don't charge admission,” Phillips said. “Everyone is welcome to come to the show. We raise money by selling ice cream and 50/50 raffle tickets, people are always welcome to make a donation too, and we don't keep any of it; it all goes to these programs.”

Phillips said that last year the club was able to donate $500 to each program.

Tessi Spearing, director of Meals on Wheels, said that the club's generosity has been very much appreciated by Meals on Wheels.

“It shows a really good community spirit,” Spearing said. “They approached us and wanted to help. I think that shows that the Antique Auto Club is very compassionate and very caring about their community.”

But two years ago, Phillips along with her son Zachary, the junior historian of the club, wanted to do something a little extra for Meals on Wheels.

For a classic automobile club the answer seems obvious, put the meals in their classic wheels.

“My son really came up with the idea,” Phillips said. “He thought we should get the drivers involved and deliver the meals in our cars.”

This was an idea that club members and Meals on Wheels were both quick to jump at.

“My husband has a classic automobile from 1931,” Spearing said. “So I'm familiar with classic cars. A lot of the people we deliver to are from that generation, and we thought that it would bring back some good memories for them of cars their parents might have had or the first car they ever owned. And all of our volunteers felt special riding around and delivering meals in these beautiful cars.”

Long time club member Win Boehler said that a lot of time, money and care go into these automobiles and that as a club member he was more than happy to have a chance to take out his car for a good cause.

“We donate to Meals on Wheels every year, so I thought this was a really good idea,” Boehler said.

“A lot goes into these cars and this gives us a chance to take them out and share them with people and maybe bring back some memories for them. We get to take them out and use them - and not just let them sit there to be looked at, but really get some use out of them.”

Last year the club delivered more than 100 meals and brought some smiles to a lot of faces.

“Last year we had good coverage,” Boehler said.

“When people went to the door with the meal the people looked very happy and that was just wonderful.”

This year the club will be back at it again. Phillips said that there have already been plenty of members volunteering their time and cars.

“There are going to be some really nice cars too - a Franklin, a '29 Durant, a Hudson from the '50s,” Phillips said. “Everyone in the club is really up for this and happy to get out and help some people.#”

Drivers like Boehler said making the meal receives smile makes it all worth it.

For Spearing there isn't enough she can say for all the club does for the Meals on Wheels program.

“We appreciate what they do so much,” Spearing said.

“It is so thoughtful that they take the time to help our program out. We are really grateful to them for all they do.”