DDE Annual Weekend Of Automotive Charity Events Benefits Parkinson’s Research & Patient Care
DDE Contributes More Than $500K to Michael J. Fox Foundation Since 2010 – Small Town Program Reaps Huge Rewards
DANVILLE, Calif., January 8, 2013 – While the Danville d’Elegance (DDE) Foundation takes great pride in its small town values, the organization is definitely going BIG in its efforts to support Parkinson’s research and patient care – in fact, after only eight short years in existence, DDE has earned national recognition as the “Number One” fundraiser for Team Fox, the globally renowned grassroots community fundraising arm for The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), benefitting Parkinson’s research. Over the past three years, DDE has contributed more than a half million dollars to Team Fox, and for 2012 raised more than $245,000 to benefit both the Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute, a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based patient care facility.
Northern California-based Danville d’Elegance (DDE) Foundation ranks as #1 Team Fox fundraiser nationwide for 2012 — DDE Co-Founders Jim and Christine Edlund (left), and DDE Board Members Robin and Tom Halloran (right), join Michael J. Fox (center) at celebratory recognition dinner in New York City for the Michael J. Fox Foundation supporting Parkinson’s research.
According to Jim Edlund, co-founder of the Danville d’Elegance Foundation, the research and collaboration that the Michael J. Fox Foundation endorses is key to finding a cure. “Our goal has always been to give as much as we can to help fund research, but we needed some support in expanding our pool of donors — MJFF has not only provided us with even more tools, but of equal importance, they’ve helped us to better network both nationally and within our own region to grow our support and attract volunteers who have a personal connection.”
Two individuals that were recently introduced to DDE are also generous supporters of MJFF as a whole, so much in fact that CT-resident, George (Sonny) Whelen, and West Coast vintner Wendy Tigner, each earned the third and fourth ranking respectively on Team Fox’s list of Top Fundraisers for 2012. And equally impressive is that their own individual efforts have not stopped each from getting involved in DDE’s hard work on behalf of Parkinson’s as well, contributing to DDE’s weekend of automotive charitable events. Both Whelen and Tigner, who each happen to be facing their own challenges with Parkinson’s disease, played an important role in the DDE fundraising efforts during 2012.
Prior to participating in the September DDE weekend, veteran racer Sonny Whelen teamed with DDE to create an auction package through the Whelen Racing Team, offering a “GRAND-AM VIP Experience” charity auction package on eBay. The winning bidder was awarded with a full weekend of GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series racing team involvement, with a full two-day experience including a private dinner with the team principle and drivers (Boris Said/Eric Curran), private meetings with drivers and technical advisors to pit qualifying and racing – and all with complete VIP access.
Wendy Tigner and her husband Rick, president of the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, offered the use of their Cardinale Winery as a location for the DDE “2nd Annual Tour d’Elegance” event during the 2012 DDE weekend, along with a percentage of each bottle of wine purchased that day to go toward the DDE charity. DDE expects to host the 2013 “Tour” luncheon at another of the scenic Kendall-Jackson properties, keeping the tradition alive.
The 2013 Danville d’Elegance weekend will be held September 21-22, 2013, in and around the historic town of Danville, Calif. Weekend events will include the 3rd Annual “Tour d’Elegance,” including a scenic drive and lunch in Napa Valley; dinner/auction at the famed Blackhawk Museum; and the 9th Annual Danville Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, September 22nd.
About Danville d’Elegance Foundation
Danville d’Elegance (DDE) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, is entering its 9th year of dedication to supporting organizations in their pursuit to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, while specifically raising funds to benefit the advancement of Parkinson’s research and patient care. Since 2004, and through the generous support of corporate and personal sponsors, the Foundation has raised in excess of $1.5 million for this debilitating cause. All of the annual weekend activities for Danville d’Elegance are planned, supported and completely run by a team of volunteers, many of whom are touched by Parkinson’s disease. The Foundation’s funding efforts are aligned with both The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute. For more information, please visit www.danville-delegance.org or www.facebook.com/DDEFoundation.
About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
As the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $250 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure.
Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.
To learn more, visit www.michaeljfox.org or www.facebook.org/michaeljfoxfoundation