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Some clouds and a bit of drizzle couldn’t spoil this party! Despite the weather, spirits were high at the 6 th Annual Classic Clay Shoot this past Saturday at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays. Guests enjoyed a friendly shooting competition followed by dinner, raffles, and live entertainment. Thanks to Audi Wesley Chapel’s sponsorship, there was also a fine lineup of Audis to view and appreciate. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Wiregrass Ranch Foundation. Founded more than 60 years ago by members of a local family, the foundation dedicates itself to increasing opportunities throughout the community through philanthropy, stewardship, and innovation. The Wiregrass Ranch Foundation Since its creation, the foundation has worked with other local nonprofits to give back within the community where the need is great. In 2013, the Wiregrass Ranch Foundation partnered with onBikes, a local charity that provides bikes to underprivileged children. In 2015, the foundation raised enough funds to provide 15 scholarships to students at local high schools. Over the years, they have donated large sums of money to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. And Audi Wesley Chapel is thrilled to have supported such a positive force within the community. Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a great, community-driven cause!

Dimmitt Automotive Group was proud to sponsor the 4 th Annual Wings, Wheels & Wine this past Saturday at the Clearwater Air Park. The event proved to be an unforgettable evening of excitement, with an elaborate showcase of exotic vehicles, luxury watercraft, and airplanes. Guests enjoyed live music, a silent auction, dinner and libations. An Elaborate Raffle Many events boast a raffle. Guests love trying their luck to win a prize. The raffle at Wings, Wheels & Wine, however, takes the fun a few steps further than most. Guests could purchase raffle tickets at the event or for a discount prior to the night. The general advice was to stock up, and now we know why! This was no ordinary raffle. There were over 50 items and experiences to win! Sold Out Over a week before the date of the event, The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation reported that demand was so high to attend the award-winning Wings, Wheels & Wine that tickets had completely sold out! While the foundation was able to create more in order to try to meet as much of the demand as possible, the popularity of the event helped the foundation to achieve an incredible milestone and raise over $300,000. Luxury for a Great Cause All proceeds collected benefit The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit charity with a mission to secure the financial future of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The foundation builds community awareness, encourages community involvement, and provides financial support to the most vulnerable within our community. The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation relies on grant funding, corporate and planned giving, and fundraising events like Wings, Wheels & Wine. The charity manages over twenty Residential Homes, two Adult Day programs in Clearwater and Tarpon Springs, Harborside Studios Art Gallery in Safety Harbor, a Supported Living and Supported Employment Program, a Clinic. Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a great cause!

For automotive enthusiasts, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is one of those weekend-long events that must be experienced to be believed. Hosted at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton of Amelia Island, the annual event features vintage, exotic, and collectible vehicles on display. Spectators gather to peruse the long stretch of stunning automobile presentations during Saturday’s Cars & Coffee exhibition. And what ultra-luxury exhibition could be complete without Dimmitt Automotive’s stunning lineup of supercars? It’s such a thrill to display our beautiful inventory! But Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance isn't only about viewing some of the most beautiful vehicles in the nation. The event also raises funds for local charities such as Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, and other charitable organizations across North Florida. The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of more than 300 volunteers. The main fundraiser within the concours d'elegance is the yearly silent auction, a family-friendly event (there are even lots set aside just for children to bid) that has something for everyone, from historic pieces of automobile history to fine jewelry and original art. Thank you to everyone who came out to Amelia Island to meet with other enthusiasts, delight in beautiful and historically significant vehicles, and–of course—to have a great time.

Dimmitt Automotive was a proud sponsor of the Naples Motorfest. Representing McLaren with the indomitable 720S, Dimmitt Automotive did a little showing off of our own. Spectators and exhibitors alike gathered in Naples on a beautiful spring Sunday to enjoy a day of performance vehicles and live music. But Naples Motorfest wasn’t just a performance car show. The event benefitted Hope Driven, Inc, a local nonprofit which strives to improve the lives of families in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Hope Driven, Inc relies on funding from donations and from events like Naples Motorfest to reach its goals and help single parents within the community. A big thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy a beautiful day full of music and supercars, all to benefit a great cause.

An estimated 16,000 kids, teens, and young adults live with epilepsy in the six counties surrounding Tampa. They need our support, our encouragement, and our understanding. And that’s where Epilepsy Services Foundation comes in. The charity has worked for 45 years to create a better future for those affected by epilepsy. Epilepsy Services Foundation holds regular events to increase awareness of the chronic illness, offers information and support to those suffering from seizures, and raises funds to provide numerous scholarships to those affected by epilepsy and to those pursuing the field of neurology. This past Saturday, Dimmitt Automotive participated in the Epilepsy Services Foundation’s 20 th Annual Walk for Epilepsy at beautiful Lake Seminole Park. The foundation could not have chosen a more beautiful day or location for the walk, created to raise awareness for kids, teens, and young adults affected by seizures. Participants were in great spirits as they donned purple and walked 1 or 2 miles (their choice) for a great cause. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support those affected by epilepsy. It’s so vital that we remind everyone suffering from a chronic illness that they are not alone or ignored within our community. We can’t wait for next year’s walk! To learn more about what you can do for those with epilepsy within our community, or if you are affected by seizures and are in need of support, please visit epilepsysf.org or contact Alysia Peddy at alysiaepilepsysf.org

Once again, Dimmitt Automotive was thrilled to show up in support of a great cause. Now in its third year, the annual Exotic Car Festival in Lakewood Ranch hosted by the Ferrari Drivers Group Sarasota has become a champion fundraiser for the Flight to the North Pole, Inc. charity. Flight to the North Pole, Inc. works tirelessly in partnership with various agencies within the community to bring joy to terminally ill children during the holiday season. They transport “Santa” via helicopter to an event to interact with kids and present them with gifts, lunch, and entertainment. During the Exotic Car Festival, the main street of Lakewood Ranch floods with beautiful vehicles of various exotic makes. We had a blast showcasing some ultra-luxury exotics of our own. Thank you so much to everyone in the community who came out to enjoy a day of exotic cars and, of course, giving back to those who need it most. We’re so fortunate to be a part of such a great community as the one we have in Tampa Bay!

February is National Hearth Month! At Dimmitt Automotive, we care about our team members and their families. Because we want to keep our team healthy and in honor of National Heart Month, we offered complimentary blood pressure screenings to all of our associates and their families. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. They estimate that one out of every three deaths in the US is caused by cardiovascular disease. Regular screenings like the ones we participated in are part of a key step to maintaining heart health. Thank you to the professionals who helped us provide a valuable service to our associates. In order to serve the community and all of our customers, we need a healthy team!

We had a blast showing off a beautiful lineup of ultra-luxury vehicles at Wine, Waves, and Wheels. It was a beautiful day for an event at Marine Max in Sarasota. Visitors gathered to sip champagne for a great cause and peruse luxury vehicles and yachts while strolling on a red carpet and participating in a silent auction. Proceeds benefited the Apple a Day Foundation, an amazing charity which strives to bring joy to pediatric cancer patients. Apple a Day donates tablets and smart phones to young cancer patients so that they might enjoy simple luxuries like engaging with friends, taking photos, text messaging, reading books, and keeping up with schoolwork while going through their treatments. Community is all about connection. Dimmitt Automotive Group is proud to engage locally and support keeping cancer patients involved and interacting with their friends, classmates, and the wider community. Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a great cause, and thank you for making the event a joy to attend! We can’t wait for next year!

Dimmitt Automotive Group was thrilled to participate in the 14 th annual Cars on 5 th event in Naples, Florida. We proudly represented McLaren to showcase our ultra-luxury supercars in the public. A New System In prior years, the event has been free to the public. This year, due to the overwhelming success of Cars on 5 th causing overcrowding along the historic 5 th Avenue in Naples, the event organizers decided to block off the streets and charge a $20 entrance fee. But the new entrance fee is neither selfish nor exclusionary. All monies received were donated to St. Matthew’s House, a local homeless shelter with a history of over three decades of service in the Naples community. And St. Matthew’s House had complimentary tickets for those who are less fortunate or who had large families. A Stunning Display Dimmitt Automotive group brought the new McLaren 720S Spider for the public to view and enjoy. And enjoy they did! Thank you to everyone who made it out to Naples to make this event a success. We can’t wait for the 15 th year of Cars on 5 th!

Part of fostering a healthy community is recognizing those people who go above and beyond. It’s another way to give back and give thanks to those who work to make our community great. Audi Wesley Chapel has a history of recognizing members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office with a special award which we present each quarter: The Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award. During the quarterly Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Swearing-In Ceremony, one employee of the Sheriff’s Office is invited to the stage to be honored. The Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award In order to receive the award, members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office must be nominated as a result of going above and beyond the call of duty. Nominees must have demonstrated leadership, selflessness, and the willingness to put others above themselves. This Year's Recipient This quarter, just like in previous quarters, dozens of worthy candidates were nominated for the award. Each had an amazing story of service. So we’d like to thank all of the nominees for their service. You make our community great. The recipient of the Audi Wesley Chapel Servant Leadership Award was Deputy Richard Kleber. Thank you for all of your hard work, for your service, for going above and beyond what is asked of you.

Sport programs are a valuable asset to any community. They’re entertaining, engaging, and healthy. Kids learn the value of sportsmanship and hard work. Adults enjoy a healthy hobby. We love supporting our community. When we say that Dimmitt Cares, we mean it. And that’s why we’re thrilled to sponsor Florida Hospital Center Ice as a premiere sponsor. Florida Hospital Center Ice offers something for every member of the community. From youth programs like their Recreational Hockey League and a number of skating camps to programs for adults like their curling leagues and skating lessons, Florida Hospital Center Ice reaches out into the community to bring people together in teams. At Dimmitt Automotive, we know all about the value of teamwork. So, a sponsorship with Florida Hospital Center Ice, a facility that provides skating classes, hosts hockey tournaments, and trains some of the best figure skaters in the country, is a perfect fit. We look forward to seeing some great games at Florida Hospital Center Ice!

Most people are familiar with Toys for Tots. Run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, the program distributes toys to the children of families who cannot afford to buy gifts for Christmas. In the spirit of giving back to the community, Dimmitt Automotive has participated in Toys for Tots every year for almost a decade. This year was no exception. Riders arrived from throughout the Tampa Bay to lend their vehicles to the cause. They brought unwrapped toys for children and stuffed trunks, backseats, and in one case, a spoiler with gifts. Dozens of beautiful cars lined up around the building. It was easily the most stylish parade in Tampa Bay. After a safety meeting hosted by the Sheriff’s Department of Hillsborough County, the drivers set out to their vehicles. They drove from the Dimmitt McLaren Showroom in St. Petersburg to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. There, they unloaded hundreds of toys for children. Thank you to the deputies of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department for giving your time to a wonderful cause and for escorting our drivers through Tampa Bay safely. Thank you to the generous drivers and others who donated toys to the program. And thank you to everyone who came out and made the event a complete success. We can’t wait for next year!