Celebrating 10th Anniversary Great Charity Challenge Returns Feb.2
The 10th annual Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, will take center stage on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
With more than 360 applications received for the chance to participate in the 10th annual event, this year’s initial charity selection took place throughout Palm Beach County via a traveling lottery drum. At stake: a chance to share the purse of more than one million dollars. To date, the event has distributed $12.2 million to more than 230 Palm Beach County charities.
“We are very excited to see such a diverse group of nonprofit organizations join us for this 10th edition,” said Paige Bellissimo, co-founder of the event. “The encouragements and true camaraderie witnessed on social media, between nonprofits during the selection process, was heartwarming. We hope that this year’s GCC will unite all involved, from the sponsors and riders, to the nonprofits involved and the community at large.”
Blending philanthropy and equestrian sports, the GCC is an exciting show jumping event that brings hope to Palm Beach County charities every year. The event will support a wide array of nonprofits, such as Speak Up For Kids.
“For a local charity, making a direct local impact, as we do through Speak Up For Kids, being selected for the GCC is a huge vote of confidence and exciting opportunity for increased impact,” said Shaw Thomas, board president of Speak Up For Kids.
Additional charity drawings were held during the first weeks of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival and the final two wildcard teams will be drawn the night of the GCC.
“We hold a strong belief that change happens through the power of united communities,” said Anne Caroline Valtin, executive director of the GCC. “From the amazing sponsors who make the event possible, the equestrians who donate their time, skills and horses to compete, to the passionate and dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to better the community, attending the GCC will simply restore your faith in humanity.”
The 2019 GCC to be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 starting at 6 p.m. during the Saturday Night Lights series at PBIEC. With riders dressed up in costumes and horses adorned to match them, this year’s theme of “We are the World” will focus on promoting unity and celebrating the cultural differences in the community.
As part of the Ringside Chalk Art Festival, each Wellington school will be provided with a 4-foot by 6-foot giant chalkboard and have three hours to bring their creation to life, showcasing what the charitable causes represented that evening means to them. A panel of judges composed of Carolina King and Leslie Pfeiffer of the Wellington Art Society, award-winning Florida artist Laurie Snow Hein and Art Cellar owner Jen Hernandez will facilitate the judging process and present the awards. The GCC guarantees a minimum of a $1,000 donation to each school’s art department for participating.
Furthermore, the choirs of Palm Beach Central High School under the direction of Scott Houchins and Wellington High School under the direction of Bradford Chase will join forces in an unprecedented performance that is sure to leave the public inspired.
For the latest event information, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com or www.facebook.com/greatcharitychallenge.
2019
Great Charity Challenge Initial Charity List
Back to Basics
Boca West Children’s Foundation
Children’s Home Society
Christopher Aguirre
Memorial Foundation
Community Caring Center of Palm Beach County
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
Danny & Ron’s Rescue
Friends of Foster Children
Friends of Palm Beach
Genesis Assistance Dogs
Grandma’s Place
Habitat Housing Solutions
Holy Ground Shelter for Homeless
Hope 4 Mobility
Jeff Industries
Kids Cancer Foundation
Our Sister’s Place
Philanthropy Tank
PROPEL Inc.
Quantum House
South Florida Science
Center & Aquarium
Speak Up For Kids
Spirit of Giving Network
Wellington Cares
Wellington Public Schools
PTA/PTO/PTSA
