Chasin A Dream Gala Raises Record Amount

Master of Ceremonies Sam Kerrigan
BILL BARBOSA PHOTOGRAPHY

(Press Release) JUPITER, FL – Chasin A Dream Foundation raised its highest fund-raising amount to date—a record-breaking $491,000—from its fourth annual gala, “Raceway Rendezvous,” at the Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place on April 6. The Jupiter-based charity achieved the stellar milestone after seven years of inspiring hope and providing aid and resources to families with children stricken with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. 

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Borrowing its theme from the adrenaline-fueled sport of racing, this year’s fête featured 26-year-old IndyCar superstar and Jupiter resident Kyle Kirkwood along with motorsport drivers Gianni Maiuro, Nick Riceputo, and Roland Veit. WPEC-TV news anchor Sam Kerrigan shined as Master of Ceremonies and Tanya Lorigan, publisher of Jupiter and Stuart magazines, served as the gala’s co-chair.

 Before sitting down to a lavish supper, guests tucked into hand passed hors d’oeuvres, bid on novel silent auction items, and were serenaded on the hotel’s sun-splashed terrace by Nashville recording artist RJ Preston then 16-year-old Chasin A Dream warrior Mikayla Beatty, who crooned the national anthem. 

Auctioneer Neil Saffer kicked off the live auction as the dessert course commenced. Bringing in the highest bids were a remodeled EZGO-TXT golf cart and the race suit Kyle wore when his car was struck and flipped over during the 2023 Indianapolis 500. Afterward, the drivers took to the raceway-styled catwalk with the charity's pint-sized warriors in tow. Together they strutted their stuff in contemporary fashions and custom racing attire.

Additional highlights included the presentation of the Dreamer Award to Chasin A Dream board member Norma Huempfner and a standing ovation for Gracie, a seizure-detecting German shepherd the charity had trained for Giovanni Bajer, an adorable young warrior living with Dravet Syndrome. The total cost of her training was $30,000.