The SMA Healthcare Foundation (SMAHF) is excited to announce over $210,000 was raised at their Annual Dinner Celebration & Auction, held August 24 at the DAYTONA 500 Club.
The annual fundraising event honored Mike Helton, NASCAR Board Member and NASCAR Foundation Chairman and President, featured two-time Daytona 500 Champion Mike Waltrip as Emcee and Daniel “Saxman” Fuqua as entertainment and celebrated the SMA Healthcare Foundation’s 25th anniversary.
“It was an amazing evening of celebration after having to cancel the event the last two years” said Jennifer Secor, Executive Director “and everyone seemed to come out ready enjoy the night and to show their support of SMA and the services they provide in our community. We truly appreciate every one of those companies and individuals who contributed to the evening’s success.”
With 400 guests in attendance $178,000 was raised for SMA’s primary care and other services, and another $32,000 for the Larry & Joan Kelly Scholarship Fund. The success of the event is credited to sponsorships like the presenting sponsor Brown & Brown, the large number of returning and new sponsors, as well as multiple contributions made during the evening. Those contributions included the presentation of $10,000 from Morgan & Morgan, $25,000 from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, and a Kelly family donation of $10,00 which was then matched by guests. The live auction brought in a record $30,500.
Dinner co-Chair Andrew Gurtis added “All of us at the Foundation and Dinner Committee are blown away by the results. In the 25 years we’ve been hosting this dinner, the $200,000 mark has been out there as a stretch goal. The energy in the room was palpable, and our supporters stepped up for the benefit of SMA Healthcare and those it serves. Thank you to everyone who contributed time, talent and treasure to the event.”
