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Dimmitt Automotive Group was a proud sponsor of the Supercar Social event organized by Dream Cars 4 Kids. This organization helps children in medically fragile states experience the car of their dreams by providing events that bring exquisite cars together. The goal is to provide a luxury, exotic, and sports car experience designed to connect enthusiasts while raising donations for charities benefiting children in need. [gallery size="large" link="file" ids="305765,305764,305762"] Dream Cars 4 Kids was started by Jon Springer, founder of the Dream Car Network and Ankush Shah, founder of Auto Shows Online, LLC and Cars & Coffee Central Florida. When they met Nathan, a brave eight year old facing a form of Leukemia, their journey of making dreams come true began. Nathan’s wish was to see the Koenigsegg CCXR SE. His parents contacted Jon and Ankush, who were able to connect with the owner of the rare car. This particular car was the second of only two produced. Jon and Ankush were thrilled when they connected with the owner, who also jumped at the opportunity to fulfill Nathan’s wish. Now, Dream Cars 4 Kids hosts rallies in major cities nationwide with the goal of fulfilling children’s final wishes or to give them exciting memories for a tough road ahead while raising money for children’s charities. Dream Cars 4 Kids brings together some of the most elegant supercars imaginable. The rallies bring these cars to children who may not have the opportunity to see their dream cars. The organization also hosts unique online fundraisers and car shows. While bringing these automobile enthusiasts together, Dream Cars 4 Kids allows an opportunity to make children smile while fundraisers directly benefit children’s charities. Some partner charities include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Thank you to everyone who came out to the Supercar Social! We can't wait to bring more supercars to kids.

No kid is born bad. And it only takes a little bit of effort to let someone know they are special. Dimmitt Automotive believes that supporting kids and families within our community will help us all to build a brighter future. That’s why we are proud to be a part of the AMIkids mentorship program. AMIkids is a national nonprofit with a presence in 9 states serving 135,000 kids. They have a diverse spread of 43 programs all created with one vision: to separate a troubled past from a bright future. The charity has a unique approach to youth rehabilitation. Frustrated at seeing the same young men in his court time and again, Chief Juvenile Court Judge Frank Orlando founded the organization 50 years ago in Fort Lauderdale in the hopes of limiting recidivism. With the help of a contact at the Florida Atlantic Ocean Science Institute, he secured work for a group of young men aboard a research vessel. The modest program was a bold success. In time, the organization grew into the charitable powerhouse it is today. As a part of their educational agenda, AMIkids pairs at-risk youth with mentors who can provide them with educational experiences. Those types of experiences lead to empowered kids who are engaged and active within their community. Representatives from Dimmitt Automotive Group enjoyed spending an amazing day in Tampa Bay helping with the AMIkids Science Floating Classroom. The Science Floating Classroom is a unique learning experience which introduces the kids to the field of marine biology. An educator teaches the participants a marine biology lesson, incorporating the core subjects of math and science. After the lesson, the kids get to enjoy a hands-on encounter with science as they wade into the waters of Tampa Bay and collect their own samples and specimens, examining the collections under an on-board microscope. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to help keep our community strong. These kids have bright futures ahead of them!

Jaguar Land Rover clearwater of the Dimmitt Automotive Group was thrilled to be a hole-in-one sponsor for the RCS Pinellas Celebrity Golf Classic as well as a host for the event’s VIP Celebrity Meet-and-Greet. Catered with a selection of treats and a full bar, the Meet-and-Greet provided an opportunity for participants who purchased a VIP ticket to meet and interact with their favorite local celebrities. Guests enjoyed a silent auction for some incredible experiences. Athletes and sports broadcasters were in good spirits and gave inspiring speeches to the assembled crowd. [gallery link="file" size="full" ids="305719,305699,305700"] [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="305713,305701"] Kirk Ray Smith, President and CEO of RCS Pinellas, spoke about the program and its goals. RCS Pinellas wants to feed the hungry, to help families facing homelessness return to self-sufficiency, and to empower survivors of domestic abuse. As one speaker put it, RCS Pinellas is the best-kept secret in the county. The charity’s goals thus far have been solely focused on providing support to those in need within the community. But with events like the inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic, they extend their name and reach into the wider community. RCS Pinellas isn’t a secret anymore. [gallery size="full" link="file" columns="2" ids="305710,305714"] [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305709,305715,305712"] As Mr. Smith concluded his speech, he noted that, “If you know where you’re going to lay your head tonight, you’re living in paradise. If you know that you won’t get attacked tonight, you’re living in paradise.” Following the inspiring meet-and-greet, the RCS Pinellas Celebrity Golf Classic tournament began on Monday. Both celebrities and local golf enthusiasts gathered for a friendly tournament in the name of charity. Lunch was provided for participants in the event. RCS Pinellas, which relies on events like the Celebrity Golf Classic for financial support, was able to fund their continued efforts to better the community and provide security for those in need. [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305716,305705,305697"] [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305717,305702,305703"]

Dimmitt Automotive Group was a proud sponsor of the 19 th Annual Derrick Brooks Celebrity Classic. Beginning with a Celebrity Pairings Party on Sunday evening and leading into a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Monday, the two-day event included a full breakfast and awards luncheon. To really take the event to the next level, Derrick Brooks Charities flew high-profile professional athletes and celebrities into Tampa to participate in the event. The mission of Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. is to provide educational opportunities for socio-economically challenged youth that will instill, inspire, broaden and develop cultural and social vision outside of the walls in which they live, to ensure that these young people have every chance to develop into the strong, productive leaders of tomorrow. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Derrick Brooks has been a positive force within the community for decades. Early in his athletic career, he began visiting Boys & Girls Clubs to encourage young people to work hard and excel in the classroom. But Derrick Brooks wanted to do more. He started small. Mr. Brooks learned that many children didn’t have the opportunities to experience things that other kids took for granted. So, he took a group on a day trip on an airplane to Ft. Lauderdale. He didn’t stop there. Day trips led to longer field trips. Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. has provided children with the opportunities to visit historical sites and educational centers in Washington, DC, Cincinnati, Boston, and even various cities in South Africa. Charities that provide social and educational opportunities for children who would otherwise not have access to such experiences are so important within our community. And to have an accomplished celebrity like Derrick Brooks spearheading the organization is an inspiration. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, and thank you to Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. for organizing such a success. We look forward to the 20 th Annual Derrick Brooks Celebrity Classic!

Everyone had an absolute blast at the Derby Day Soirée, an event held in our Ultra Lux showroom celebrating the fun and tradition of the Kentucky Derby. The mint juleps were cold, but the fashion was on fire. Participants arrived dressed to impress in their best Derby-themed attire. Both men and women strutted their stuff down a runway with the races in the background. And everyone took advantage of the great photo ops set up by Luxe Fashion, the event’s coordinators. Congratulations to the stunning winners of both the ladies’ hat contest and the mens’ best dressed contest – there was some stiff competition out there! [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305670,305671,305669"] [gallery columns="2" size="full" link="file" ids="305681,305680"] Themed to Perfection From entrance to exit, every part of the Derby Day Soiree was themed to perfection. Throughout the event, guests mingled and sipped mint juleps as they enjoyed a lighthearted atmosphere. Of course, the Millionaires’ Row was separated for ideal viewing for those guests who purchased a VIP ticket. Even the raffle was themed. Mason jars labelled with the horses’ names were set up so that guests could “bet” on their favorites with raffle tickets, which were later drawn for a series of great prizes. [gallery columns="2" size="full" link="file" ids="305679,305662"] [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305663,305664,305665"] Fun for a Great Cause And while everyone enjoyed themselves in the true Kentucky style, the event was more than just sport. Derby Day Soirée also raised money for a worthy group of charities charities including the SPCA Tampa Bay, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Hope Driven, Inc., and the Lupus Foundation of America. [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305672,305673,305667,305682,305683,305678"] SPCA Tampa Bay is the only non-profit, animal welfare agency that runs an open-admission animal shelter, pet training facility and public veterinary center in Pinellas County. Their shelter serves more than 8,000 animals annually. For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is the community’s gateway to help. People who are struggling with a variety of crisis situations including domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, and other emotional or situational problems can find support, education, and services at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Hope Driven Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting local families in Pinellas and Hillsborough County achieve a better life for themselves and their children. Families in need can reach out to apply for services such as vehicle or transportation services, vehicle repair, school tuition, job placement, and even short-term housing. The Lupus Foundation of America has been leading the fight against Lupus for over 40 years. They have made pioneering contributions toward ending the brutal impact of lupus by providing insight into the underlying causes of lupus and its progression while creating opportunities to expand the future knowledge base for lupus. All of these charities rely on funding raised through events like the Derby Day Soirée to continue to serve our local and extended community. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Derby Day Soirée! The event was a great success, and we can’t wait for next year! [gallery size="full" link="file" ids="305677,305676,305674"]

Audi Wesley Chapel of the Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to be a sponsor of Primrose School of Tampa Palms’ Spring Fling 2019. Each year, Primrose School of Tampa Palms hosts their Spring Fling, a fundraising event to benefit a charity of choice along with the Primrose Children’s Foundation. Attendees included children from the school and their families. They enjoyed an auction, goodie bags, and athletic games like a giant ring toss and an obstacle course. This year, Primrose School chose Children’s Cancer Center as the beneficiary of Spring Fling 2019. The Children’s Cancer Center is a charitable organization which serves families of children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders. They provide the emotional, financial, and educational support needed to cope with their critical illness. The charity relies on donations and fundraising events like the Spring Fling to continue to help those in need. The second beneficiary, the Primrose Children’s Foundation, is the platform combining fundraising efforts of Primrose Schools nationwide. The national charitable partners include Save the Children, Reach Out and Read, and others. And their primary fundraising opportunities are the Spring Fling events held by the various Primrose Schools. Thank you to everyone who came out and made Tampa Palms’ Spring Fling 2019 a success!

At Dimmitt Automotive, we value teamwork. We know that it takes a whole team to be successful, and we appreciate each and every member of our extended family. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to wish our administrative team a very happy Administrative Professionals Day. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your contributions. You are a big part of what makes this team great. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="305612,305611,305613"]

At the Dimmitt Automotive Group, we believe that it’s important to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to create the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. Each quarter, at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Swearing-In Ceremony, one member of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is awarded the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. The nominees for the award may be sworn or civilian, but they must work for the Sheriff’s Office. They must have been nominated as a result of demonstrating leadership, selflessness, and the willingness to put others above themselves. In short, they go above and beyond what is asked of them. Many deserving names are put forward each quarter, but only one can be awarded. Congratulations to Sergeant Phil Woodruff, the most recent recipient of the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. Thank you for your dedication to serving our community. It is individuals like you who make us all great, and we appreciate your service.

Dimmitt Automotive Group proudly sponsored the Celebration Exotic Car Festival in Orlando. The four-day festival boasts the largest collection of exotic cars, race cars, and Hollywood movie cars all coming together to help children with life threatening medical conditions. A Full Schedule It was a full, action-packed weekend for attendees. Starting at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway, the festival kicked off with two exhilarating track days and racing. The event then moved to Celebration, adjacent to Disney World. Friday at Hard Rock Live, guests gathered for an incredible evening of comedy with legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short. Attendees could enter to win the chance to meet one or both of the comics. On Saturday morning, attendees were free to enjoy the world class exotic car concours at their leisure along the waterfront of Celebration. Later, they gathered for the Champagne Taittinger reception at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney world and were treated to a concert by rock legend John Waite. All for a Great Cause And while an event like this may be a dream come true for attendees, the event coordinators wanted to spread the joy even further. They partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to donate proceeds from the festival to change the lives of critically ill young children. Thank you to everyone who participated in such an amazing, successful event!

Dimmitt Automotive Group was a proud sponsor this past Sunday of the Festivals of Speed St. Petersburg, an annual exotic car show that raised money for a great cause. Attendees combatted the warm weather with wine bars and ice-cold beverages provided by Festivals of Speed. While engaging music played over park-wide speakers, they perused the stunning lineup of exotic and classic cars, including Dimmitt’s own lines from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, and more. And for those willing to purchase a VIP ticket, or who managed to do so before they sold out, Dimmitt Automotive rolled out the red carpet and the Aston Martins to provide attendees with a true luxury treatment. Vinoy Park provided truly stunning waterfront views as a backdrop for the area’s most unique vehicles. Classics, exotics, supercars and even a few surprises lined up to for the exhibition. Participants competed for an array of awards presented with sculpted trophies. [gallery link="file" size="large" columns="2" ids="305544,305556,305557,305548,305549,305558"] Benefitting Our Four-Legged Friends The cars may have owned the day, but the fun was all in the name of a great cause. The organizers of Festivals of Speed St. Petersburg chose to sponsor Friends of Strays as the event’s beneficiary. Friends of Strays is a 501(c)3 charity formed in 1978 that provides shelter to and advocacy for the stray cats and dogs of the community. They maintain a no-kill shelter which provides care to homeless animals as long as it takes until the cat or dog can find a forever home. Thank you to everyone who came out over the weekend and made the Festivals of St. Petersburg such a great success! We can’t wait for next year! [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="305552,305547,305551,305546,305554,305543,305559"]

Local golfers will surely be familiar with the Kettle Klassic, the annual golf tournament organized by the Salvation Army to raise funds to support their charitable work. This year, Dimmitt Automotive proudly sponsored lunch and dinner for the participants and guests of the event. Although golfers had to put up with some light rain, spirits stayed high during the afternoon tournament and then through the live auction and awards presentation. And attendees had good reason to be cheerful. An Incredible Success After expenses, the 2019 Kettle Klassic netted almost $250,000, making the event a roaring success and helping the Salvation Army to fund programs to support the most vulnerable members within our communities. Doing the Most Good Salvation army uses funds collected from direct donations and from events like the Kettle Klassic to run programs for the community, both locally and at large. Programs that help natural disasters, cure hunger, provide shelter, fight human trafficking, and serve veterans. Salvation Army has become a household name representing the drive to do the most good, to encourage people to come together and support the most vulnerable members of society. Thank you to our golfers, to all attendees, to volunteers from the Salvation Army, and to everyone who came together to make the 2019 Kettle Klassic such a success. You strengthen our community, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store next year!

Dimmitt Automotive group was thrilled to sponsor Easterseals’ Tenth Annual A Pair to Remember Event this past Saturday. The Straz Center in Tampa proved to be the perfect venue for an event celebrating spring, indulging in luxury, and supporting a wonderful cause. We always love a good reason to roll out our beautiful Bentley lineup, and A Pair to Remember was no exception. Guests of the event were invited to explore our display and learn about Bentley’s fastidious attention to detail. Guests enjoyed a delicious Ladies Luncheon with before partaking in an exciting shoe auction. Paddles were flying as participants sipped champagne and bid on a truly stunning array of fashionable footwear. Fashion for a Cause There is no law in fashion or life that luxury and enjoyment should not serve a greater purpose. Easterseals’, the event’s charitable organizer, relies on funds raised at events like A Pair to Remember to support their cause to improve the lives of the many people within our community who live with disabilities. Easterseals currently serves 1.4 million children and adults living with disabilities within our community. They have programs to support both members and their families, with the aim to improve their members’ lives in five key areas: Live, Learn, Work, and Play, and Act. A Complete Success The event was a success! We enjoyed cooperating weather, a wonderful attention to detail, and an engaging and exciting atmosphere. Thank you to Easterseals for organizing and hosting such a novel and fun event, to the Straz Center in Tampa for their gorgeous venue, and to the participants whose support will go on to help disabled members of our community. We can’t wait for next year’s A Pair to Remember!