Congratulations Diane Pelak!
Thank you to all who participated in the 2023 Helping Seniors Car Raffle!
THE 7TH ANNUAL
HELPING SENIORS CAR RAFFLE
FOR CHARITY.
The 2023 Grand Drawing
It was a great “Night at the Museum” – and thank to all who made it out and who tried to make it out! (It was an overflow crowd – nothing like anyone had seen before – and we appreciated so much everyone’s kindness towards us as worked to make the event a wonderful evening). The 2023 7th Annual Helping Seniors Car Raffle was another amazing time for fun fundraising with great cars!
The Helping Seniors of Brevard 501(c)(3) local charity, celebrating 12 years of service to Seniors in Brevard County, provides extensive Senior Care Navigation Information and Education to Seniors and their families, free of charge, through our Senior Information Helpline, our extensive Senior Information Media Outreach including TV/Radio/Print/Online/Social TV/Radio/Print/Online/Social Media, and advocates on behalf of the 200,000 Seniors 60+ who call Brevard home.
Helping Seniors of Brevard is an approved not-for-profit organization, and we depend on your support to continue our mission to help the rapidly growing number of Seniors in our County.
Joe Steckler, our President & Founder, who was instrumental in establishing the area’s “Joe’s Clubs”, named after him, formed Helping Seniors to make a difference locally and, together with his friends, began the Helping Seniors Car Raffle as a way to generate funds – in a fun way – to benefit Seniors and to ensure the work of Helping Seniors can continue each year.
THE GRAND DRAWING CELEBRATION
AT THE AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR MUSEUM
The Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing event took place:
Date: Saturday, October 7th, 2022.
Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: The American Muscle Car Museum – Melbourne, FL
We are so appreciative of American Muscle Car Museum Owner Mark Pieloch and A.J. Hiers, of Boniface-Hiers Automotive – for their help over the years in supporting the work of Helping Seniors through the Helping Seniors Car Raffle and we are looking forward to a great Grand Drawing event in 2023!
Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing Event at the American Muscle Car Museum
Helping Seniors, the 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates Brevard County’s Senior Information Helpline, which saw more than 5,384 calls in 2022 alone, celebrates the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Fundraiser with a fun Grand Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida. As you probably know, this museum is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but owner Mark Pieloch generously opened his doors, again, to host the Grand Drawing event live for the Helping Seniors 2023 Great Car Raffle.
Thank you for supporting the Helping Seniors Car Raffle that assists Helping Seniors of Brevard to fund its service efforts to serve the 200,000 persons 60+ who reside in our county!
Check out the Dodge v Chevy Challenge
Once again, 2 of the most Popular Muscle Cars of all time are available to you to pick from in the 2023 Helping Seniors Car Raffle fundraiser! The ever popular Dodge Challenger – which they are telling us this could be the last year for the Dodge Challenger! – and the sought-after Chevrolet Camaro each have their own set of fans who will back their muscle car all the way!
Just for fun, we invited Helping Seniors volunteers to choose up sides and “Bring it On” in the Dodge v Chevy Challenge. We filmed their excursion on the grounds of Mark Pieloch’s beautiful American Muscle Car Museum. Great cars and great fun ensued!
Look for details on the 4th Annual Dodge v Chevy Challenge and look back at the so-much-fun from the 2022 Third Time Edition, the 2021 Re-Match Edition, and, of course, the one that started it all, the original 2020 Dodge v Chevy Showdown!
Helping Seniors, the 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates Brevard County’s Senior Information Helpline, that saw more than 5,384 calls in 2022 along, celebrated the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Fundraiser with a funGrand Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida.
Thank you for supporting the Helping Seniors Car Raffle that assists Helping Seniors of Brevard to fund its service efforts to serve the nearly 200,000 persons 60+ who reside in our county! You need not be present to win.
From the Desk of our Founder/President Joe Steckler:
“As I approach my 35th year of fundraising for non profits subsequent to my 38 year military career, I want all to know how much your support is appreciated. This year we had a selection of 5 new 2023 cars from which to choose – a Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Mazda Miata convertible, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander. Keep up to date on all details on HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org. Please tell your friends and join us in next year’s raffle to help people. This is a volunteer effort and I assure you I will keep each supporter in my prayers.” – Joe
All proceeds fund the work of Helping Seniors of Brevard Inc., a 501(c)(3) Florida not-for-profit dedicated to serving Brevard County seniors via our no-cost Senior Information Helpline, our Senior Information media outreach, and our Senior Advocacy programs.
The Story behind the Helping Seniors Car Raffle
En·dorse·ment (n) an act of giving one’s public approval or support to someone or something.
Helping Seniors President/Founder Joe Steckler paid a call on A.J. Hiers, of the Boniface-Hiers Automotive Group, in early 2017. AJ had helped Joe in the past when Joe was busy with his work with the Alzheimer’s Foundation and Joe had wanted to talk about a car to follow-up on the Helping Seniors 2016 successful “Win the Jaguar” raffle fundraiser. (The “Win the Jaguar” Raffle Car, by the way, was donated to Helping Seniors by an individual who wanted to help support the vision of Helping Seniors).
AJ showed Joe a beautifully restored 1951 Ford Victoria – a look-alike to the one Robert Mitchum drove in the classic movie “Thunder Road.” – in AJ’s private collection. “An absolutely beautiful car,” Joe told AJ, “but we haven’t got that kind of money.” AJ said, “Joe, you can afford that car!” Joe asked him how that could be possible. AJ’s answer: “You can afford it, because I am giving it to you!”
As they talked further, AJ told Joe that he believed in the work that Joe was doing with Helping Seniors and wanted to find a way to help ensure the work of Helping Seniors can keep going and growing. “Joe,” he said, “Take this car and use it to make as much money as you possibly can to help in the good work that you are doing.” And, with AJ’s ringing endorsement, they kicked-off 2017’s Helping Seniors “Win the Classic” Car Raffle fund-raising effort which culminated with February 10th 2018 Grand Prize drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne Florida with James Lawler, of Satellite Beach FL, as the fortunate winner.
The 2018-2019 Helping Seniors Car Raffle featured the opportunity for the Grand Prize winner to select their choice of a new 2019 Dodge Challenger, Mazda Convertible or Dodge Truck. Karen Leigh Hoodless, of Melbourne FL, was at the Grand Prize Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum on April 29th 2019, and drove home in her choice of the 3 cars – the Dodge Challenger! In fact, she selected the very model that was on display at the American Muscle Car Museum that night!
The 2020 Helping Seniors Car Raffle offered up Winner’s Choice of a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro, 2020 Dodge Challenger, 2020 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2020 Kia Sportage. Troy Darling, of Indialantic FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2020 Chevrolet Camaro.
The 2021 Helping Seniors Car Raffle offered up Winner’s Choice of a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, 2021 Dodge Challenger, 2021 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2021 Kia Sportage. David Odahowski, of Orlando FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2021 Kia Sportage.
The 2022 Helping Seniors Car Raffle saw choices among a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro, 2022 Dodge Challenger, 2022 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2022 Kia Sportage. Gail McGinnis, of West Melbourne FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2023 Chevrolet Camaro.
This year, Helping Seniors President Joe Steckler and Car Dealer A.J. Hiers have stepped it all up even further with brand new 2023 cars – offering the winner the choice of a 2023 Dodge Challenger, 2023 Chevrolet Camaro, 2023 Mazda Miata Convertible, 2023 Kia Sportage, or a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. All great choices for great fun for a great cause!
2023 Car Raffle Collector Posters!
Click the Poster for the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Mini-Poster PDF