The GREAT CHARITY CHALLENGE, Presented By Fidelity Investments, Highlights Season For Area Charities
What if you didn’t have to remain a child to dream of miracles? Once again, the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, will aim to raise more than $1.5 million, which will bring the event’s fundraising and distribution total to more than $10 million over eight years.
Heading into its eighth annual event, the Great Charity Challenge returns to Wellington during the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit on Saturday, Feb. 4. With fun and creative themes over the years ranging from Super Heroes to Fairy Tales, the event has brought thousands of people to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington to celebrate those who have dared to imagine a better community: the sponsors of the Great Charity Challenge, the riders donating their time and horses, and all those involved with the charitable organizations.
To date, the event has distributed more than $9.2 million to more than 200 nonprofits in Palm Beach County. This year, the event has a goal of raising a minimum of $1.5 million to add to this incredible fundraising amount, thereby surpassing the $10 million milestone.
Founded in 2010 by Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige, the Great Charity Challenge has seen the equestrian community take charitable giving to a new level through the love of equestrian sport. The event has impacted thousands of lives through its unique equestrian competition, with 100 percent of its proceeds donated directly to Palm Beach County charities. Equestrian Sport Productions, the managing organization of the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and the International Polo Club Palm Beach, cover all costs associated with the Great Charity Challenge to ensure that all donations go straight to work.
“We are very excited to also welcome all the public schools in Wellington that evening,” Paige Bellissimo said. “Not only are their PTA/PTOs the only automatic entry in the event, their art departments will showcase their talents in the Animation Ringside Chalk Art Festival. Pairing young talent and philanthropy seemed like the perfect fit for this magical evening.”
With more than 300 applications received for the chance to participate in the 2017 event, 33 lucky charities have been drawn to date, and two wildcard spots will be randomly selected on the night of the event itself. Additional grants will be awarded that evening as well.
While most organizations are supported and funded via the community, the Great Charity Challenge fills a true need to cover operating expenses — expenses that many donors shy away from supporting.
With the initial plans of how the money won will affect these lucky organizations, it is safe to say that the 2017 Great Charity Challenge will have a lasting impact in Palm Beach County.
Grandma’s Place, an organization that provides shelter and loving care to children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect and have been removed from their homes by the Florida Department of Children & Families, is one of them. With growing needs, they are looking to expand support programs for children at the shelter and are also in the process of moving. Funding will assist the nonprofit in serving more children than in the past.
The Light House Café Ministries of the Glades served 54,000 meals last year. Money received from the Great Charity Challenge will assist the nonprofit with general funding and operating costs to ensure that it can continue serving its clients.
“This eighth year is a milestone for the GCC,” Bellissimo said. “As of Feb. 4, 2017, we will have officially surpassed the $10 million donation mark. Our theme of Animated Characters is a perfect fit to acknowledge those who imagine a better community. This event is truly the legacy of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the sponsors involved.”
This year’s event is sure to inspire adults and children alike, with riders dressed as their favorite animated characters, bringing beloved movies to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Costume awards will determine a bonus for the lucky charities.
Equestrian Sport Productions looks forward to a wonderful 2017 event. The competition will offer free general admission, free parking at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington and will be held Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
For the latest Great Charity Challenge event information, the full list of charities that have benefited from the event since its debut in 2010, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatcharitychallenge.
