The SMA Healthcare Foundation (SMAHF) is excited to announce that $215,000 was raised at its Annual Dinner Celebration & Auction, held August 23 at the DAYTONA 500 Club.
The annual fundraising event honored Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood and featured two-time Daytona 500 Champion, Mike Waltrip as Emcee, and Ed Anderson on steel drums as entertainment.
“The evening was filled with an amazing show of support from our community, with guests hearing inspiring stories of recovery and shining a light on the reasons for the support of mental health and addiction services,” said Jennifer Secor, Executive Director. “There were also some enjoyable moments with Michael Waltrip as Emcee and Sheriff Chitwood helping with the live auction.”
With nearly 400 guests in attendance, the funds raised will go to SMA services and programs and the Kelly Scholarship Fund. The success of the event is credited to: sponsors, including presenting sponsor Brown & Brown; a record year for the live auction; and multiple check presentations made during the evening. Presentations included $25,000 from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, $15,000 from 71MVP (and Race to Stop Suicide), as well as a Kelly family donation of $10,000, which was then matched and exceeded by guests.
Dinner co-Chair Andrew Gurtis added “The Foundation and Dinner Committee are thrilled to have surpassed the $200,000 mark for the second year in a row. We are proud that this event annually rings the bell for awareness and support of SMA Healthcare and its programs. Thank you to everyone who contributed time, talent, and treasure to the event.”