2020 Great Charity Challenge, Presented By Fidelity Investments, Returns Feb. 1
Community Partners
The Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, will be returning to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center for the 11th year on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Founded in 2010 by Mark and Paige Bellissimo, the event has distributed $13.5 million to more than 240 Palm Beach County charities to date. The exciting event hinges on the generous support of the equestrian community and local business partners. Donations and sponsorships from local families, foundations, businesses, vendors, exhibitors and spectators, ranging from $50 to $50,000, are what make the event reach its fundraising goal of more than $1 million every year.
Over the last five years, the relay-style show jumping competition has brought team spirit to a new level by incorporating themes into each yearly celebration. With riders dressed up in costumes and horses adorned to match them, this year’s theme of “Broadway Musicals” will pay recognition to the wisdom commonly found in these plays.
“We look forward to kick-starting this new decade of the GCC, along with the start of our 12-week season, in the company of such outstanding and diverse organizations,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and co-founder of the Great Charity Challenge. “This year’s applicant list is a true reflection of the amazing work they do to make Palm Beach County a better place. We are very grateful for them and for the continued support of the event sponsors. We hope that the GCC will become the legacy of our partnership and this facility.”
A total of 69 Palm Beach County-based organizations benefited from the 2019 GCC event. Based on a community-needs assessment with partnering agencies, the team and its board have established that a minimum of two agencies will represent the following seven categories during its upcoming 11th annual event: access to education, access to work and economic growth, child welfare, ending poverty, fighting hunger, good health and well-being, and partnerships for community development. With more than 350 applications received for a chance to participate, organizations were selected in a lottery-style drawing in early December.
“The encouragements and true camaraderie witnessed on social media between nonprofits during the selection process was heartwarming and inspiring,” Paige Bellissimo said. “We look forward to working with many of the organizations in the months to come in an effort to amplify the event’s impact. Our objective is to not only give them a financial leg up, but also increase their visibility and provide the opportunity to connect with each other to better serve the community.”
Jeff DeMario, CEO of Vita Nova Inc., one of this year’s selected charities, is enthusiastic about the opportunity.
“This is so fantastic, we could scream. In fact, we did! Thank you for this opportunity. It is because of people and teams like those from the Great Charity Challenge that gives us hope that there are still people who believe in helping others and joining causes like ours,” DeMario said. “Thank you for that. We thank you from each and every homeless and older foster youth we serve.”
Equestrian Sport Productions, PBIEC’s operating organization that oversees equestrian events at the venue throughout the year, donates the facility, staff and infrastructure to ensure the success of the charitable event and guarantees that all of the funds raised are redistributed in the community.
The GCC competition will offer free general admission and will be held Saturday, Feb. 1 starting at 6 p.m. at PBIEC during WEF’s Saturday Night Lights. Free parking will be located at 13500 South Shore Blvd., home to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds. An art contest and gallery involving all 12 Wellington public schools will highlight #NationalFreedomDay using recyclable materials. Displayed in the Wellington Club Gallery at PBIEC, the event will be open to the public free of charge. For more information, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com.
2020 Participating Charities
Admirals Cove Foundation
Arts4All Florida
Back to Basics
Bella’s Angels
The Children’s Home Society
The Cultural Council
of Palm Beach County
Dress for Success
of the Palm Beaches
The Equestrian Aid Foundation
Feed the Hungry Pantry
of Palm Beach County
Hacer Ministry
The Hanley Foundation
Help Our Wounded Foundation
JARC Florida
Little Smiles
Morningday Community Solutions
Quantum House
The Spirit of Giving Network
The Step by Step Foundation
Vita Nova
Wellington Cares
Wellington Public Schools
PTA/PTO/PTSA
The Young Singers of the Palm Beaches
Additional charities will be selected in the weeks leading up to the
event and on the day of the event.
