Baldwinsville-based Maureen’s Hope Foundation (MHF) has been chosen as one of 12 charities to benefit from the 13th annual Charity Preview.
“The Charity Preview is known as the best party in town,” said Susan Bertrand, founder of MHF.
Held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 9 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse, the Charity Preview is the kickoff to the annual Syracuse Auto Expo. The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association (SADA) created the event as a way to give back to the community in addition to showcasing current model year cars and trucks in a festive atmosphere.
“This gala fundraising event is similar to a progressive dining experience with guests previewing the vehicles on display while enjoying a wide variety of hors d’ouvres, a carving station and mouth-watering desserts in the War Memorial’s luxury car venue,” Bertrand said.
According to Bertrand, about 1,500 people attend the event, which features two full buildings (135,000 square feet) packed with more than 300 vehicles showcasing all that’s new in the automotive marketplace. “[Participants can] explore millions of dollars worth of amazing new cars, SUV’s, trucks, vans and crossovers in one location,” she said.
Tickets are $125 per person (black-tie optional) and include food, drinks and live entertainment as well as a sneak peak what’s hot in the auto industry. Plus, 100 percent of the ticket sales goes back to the participating charities.
MHF was selected after Bertrand sent a letter to the SADA Charity Preview Committee asking to be considered.
“Fundraising is what enables us to continue to fulfill our mission to offer support and assistance to people in our community facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis or life altering disease. We had a dinner dance fundraiser set up for this past October that had to be cancelled after I was in a serious cycling accident in August. So, being a part of the SADA Charity Preview is really perfect timing for the foundation,” Bertrand said. “We have been very succcessful in selling tickets and getting community support, which is always heartwarming.”
SADA, a non-profit service association for new car franchised dealers, has been able to give 100 percent of all tickets sales back to participating charities, nearly every year, thanks to the generous underwriters. Overall, the Charity Preview event has raised $1,645,870. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the event or becoming a corporate sponsor, call SADA at 474-1041 or visit syracuseautodealers.org.
Maureen’s Hope Foundation is located at 44 Oswego St. in Baldwinsville. For more information about the organization, visit maureenshope.org.
Charity Preview
Charities participating in this year’s Syracuse Auto Dealers Association’s Charity Preview include:
- Alzheimer’s Association Central New York Chapter
Crouse Health Foundation
Enable
Hospice of Central New York
Huntington Family Centers, Inc.
Kidney Foundation of Central New York
Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York
Maureen’s Hope Foundation
Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, NY, Inc.
Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare
Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc.
