Lansing - Classic cars and motorcycles filled the Cristo Rey Community Center parking lot on Saturday to help celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Families from throughout the Lansing area came to the community center, 1717 N. High St., to check out the cars, show support for the center and enjoy an afternoon of music and food.

Eleven-year-old Chase Drum was all smiles as he walked through the aisles of cars, checking out the interiors and motors of each one. It was his first car show and his excitement reflected his love of classic cars.

"I like really old-fashioned cars," he said. "It's really exciting to be here."

Drum's aunt, April Snider of Lansing, said she brought her nephew to the community center so he could get his first taste of an auto show. Someday, Drum said, he hopes to have a classic car of his own.

Lansing resident Mike Drake stood next to his blue 1965 Pontiac GTO as he answered questions from curious observers.

Drake began restoring his car after retirement and spent more than a year working on completing the car with his son. After looking at almost 15 cars from newspaper ads, Drake said he came across the GTO and knew he had to have it.

About 1,000 hours of work and $12,000 later, Drake finally had it completed and since then has participated in car shows almost every weekend.

"It's my new job," he said. "I'm taking care of my investment."

His love of cars brought him to the community center's show - along with wanting to be part of a good cause.

The anniversary celebration continues with a dinner and open house next month.

Throughout its years, the center has offered more than 31 programs to help families in the community, Executive Director John Roy Castillo said. Through volunteers and paid employees, it's been able to offer a food bank, medical center and various activities for children. About 20,000 individuals benefit from the community center each year.

"The people we see are those people who would not get this service if they didn't come here," Castillo said. "People in the community feel at home here."

Donations from the city, individual agencies and private donors help keep the center running and maintained.

After retiring from a job at MSU, Lansing resident Elaine Kibbey started working at Cristo Rey. After working there almost 16 years, Kibbey said she loves to see how the programs have grown and evolved.

"I wanted to get back and work with people who are less fortunate," she said. "Anything they need, we try to be there to help them."