The dozens of flashy sports cars that roared in to the Malibu Library parking lot amid cheers from Pepperdine students, car enthusiasts and Malibu locals early Saturday morning were there for more than an exotic car show—they came to honor the memory of Emily Shane, a 13-year-old Malibu girl who was struck and killed on the Pacific Coast Highway in 2010.
Organized by Pepperdine’s professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, the second annual “Peace on PCH” car show drew crowds of Pepperdine students, Malibu locals and car lovers from all over the Los Angeles area and benefited the Emily Shane Foundation.“People are here for cars, but the fraternity is making sure they know why they’re here,” said Emily’s father, Michel Shane. Delta Sigma Pi’s 50 members were out in full force on Saturday: directing traffic, selling raffle tickets, food and t-shirts, collecting donations and mixing with the crowd.
“A lot of it was looking at the local community, and when we found the Emily Shane Foundation, we just thought it would be a great way to give back,” said Cody Garcia, the fraternity’s senior vice president, who spearheaded the event.
“It’s a lot of work, but we’re fortunate enough to have so many people in the Malibu community come out and support and a lot of people in the car community step forward,” said Garcia, a sophomore business administration major at Pepperdine.
Michel and his wife Ellen founded the Emily Shane Foundation in 2011 as a way to inspire area children to excel in school and “pass it forward” with good deeds. The foundation works with the Boys and Girls Club to mentor middle schoolers in Malibu, Oxnard/Ventura, Santa Monica and South Central who have processing issues and, in Michel Shane’s words, “learn differently,” the way Emily Shane did.
“The main part is about mentoring at no financial cost to the kids. The cost for the kid is they’ve got to do a good deed and post it on the website,” Michel Shane said.
Peace on PCH, according to Michel Shane, has been a great way to reach out to Malibu.
“This event is more about awareness of the horrors of PCH and that not everyone who drives a fast car is someone to be afraid of on the road,” he said.
Rob Wang, an employee of Platinum Motorsport, a major contributor to the event, was there for the second year.
“It’s not easy getting up at 6 a.m., but at the end of the day, it’s a good cause,” Wang said. “When the fraternity reached out to us, it was a no-brainer.”
The long rows of colorful and exotic cars were swarmed with visitors from all over the area.
“The power of social media is incredible — over 120 cars lined up this morning,” said Wang. “It’s so much work to get the word out, but we just want to give back.”
Many of the attendees, such as Barrett Mitchell of Sherman Oaks, heard about the event through Platinum Motorsport’s Instagram page.
“It’s not always for such a noble cause. Usually it’s just a bunch of guys standing around an empty parking lot comparing horsepower,” said Mitchell, who often brings his white Delorean to car shows in the L.A. area. “It’s great to support a cause and give a few bucks.”
Debbie Foreman, the owner of the famous “Batventador” Lamborghini Aventador, also heard about the event through Platinum Motorsport and drove out from the Valley to attend for the second year in a row.
“I like charity, but especially when it benefits kids,” said Foreman, who often brings the Batventador to children’s hospitals.
Michel Shane credited the business fraternity for putting the event together. Garcia said it was hard work for the fraternity, which began planning the event in early January, but well worth it.
“I’ve seen in my own life how fortunate I am, and I want to give back,” said Garcia.
