Equestrian Season Preview COVID-19 Relief And Recovery Will Be A Key Focus Of The 2021 Great Charity Challenge Founded by the father-daughter team of Mark and Paige Bellissimo in 2009, the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, came forward as a way to increase funding to local nonprofits following the 2008 economic crisis, at a time when donations were scarce. The impact of COVID-19 replicates the situation of 12 years ago. For local nonprofits, their staff and volunteers, the effects of the pandemic have been consequential as they have stepped up to meet their neighbors’ emerging needs, ranging from food insecurity, loss of income, access to basic needs, healthcare support and more. While the logistics of putting on an event at this time are unclear, the GCC team shifted quickly from “can we even do this” to “how could we not do this?” Through the support of the equestrian industry and the local community, the GCC has acted as a catalyst for charitable giving over the last 11 years, distributing $14.8 million to 256 Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations. The 12th edition of the GCC will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 at
Jessica Mendoza rides Flashback VDS. PHOTO BY SPORTFOT
the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, where fortunate selectees will have the chance to receive a share of a purse of more than $1 million. The winning team’s nonprofit will receive
a minimum of $100,000, while all preselected participants are guaranteed a minimum grant of $15,000. “Experts in all fields agree that the lasting effects of COVID-19 will be felt for months and years to come,” event co-founder Mark Bellissimo said. “Not holding this event in 2021 simply isn’t an option for our team at Equestrian Sport Productions and Wellington Equestrian Partners. We are going to make this happen!” If you know of a deserving Palm Beach County-based charity or nonprofit, invite them to visit www. greatcharitychallenge.com for additional information regarding application requirements and the event’s unique selection process. The application process for the 2021 GCC opened on Monday, Oct. 26 and will remain active through 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. At stake? A chance to win up to $100,000! In addition to fund disbursements, the GCC’s 2020-2030 strategy involves capacity building, enabling and growing invaluable partnerships, as well as concentrating on amplifying the event’s impact.
(Below) Scenes from the 2020 Great Charity Challenge held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
PHOTO BY LOIS SPATZ
PHOTO BY LOIS SPATZ
PHOTO BY LOIS SPATZ
PHOTO BY LOIS SPATZ
wellington the magazine | november 2020
PHOTO BY ESP
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