7th Annual Charity Oktoberfest |
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Results from the Seventh Annual United Way 2-1-1 Charity Oktoberfest 2008 Go to the Photo Gallery More than 35 cars and motorcycles, their owners and interested car enthusiasts braved the wind and rain at this year’s Seventh Annual United Way 2-1-1 Charity Oktoberfest 2008 held at St. Augustine’s World Golf Village in late September. In an effort to raise awareness throughout the area, United Way of Northeast Florida’s 2-1-1 information and referral call center recently teamed up with several European, Japanese and American automobile clubs to sponsor the Charity Oktoberfest 2008. In additional to raising awareness, the annual automobile and motorcycle show also raises funds for United Way 2-1-1. This was the first year the event was open to all makes and models. The show was held along the scenic lake view sidewalks of the World Golf Hall of Fame’s Walk of Champions and allowed auto enthusiasts the opportunity to observe more than 35 world class automobiles, motorcycles, and race cars from around the world. The show also featured European-style food, live entertainment from an Umpah band, Bavarian musicians and thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Charity Oktoberfest 2008 showcases vehicles from national and local car club members as well as private investment collections and is always free and open to the public. While the rain tried to slow down the event, the activity around the cars remained strong throughout the day as the event participants; United Way 2-1-1 staff and volunteers assembled to celebrate their success and expressed their appreciation in the World Golf Village's Fairways Café during the Awards Ceremony. This year's event continued the tradition of increasing community awareness of United Way's 2-1-1 Information and Referral Call Center and raised needed funds to help support the program. The combined donations for the event exceeded $2,000, with more than $3,000 in donated products. Each year brings new excitement as we gain new participants, with unusual and very interesting cars. This year's event produced a most unique assembly of high performance sports cars and race cars. Practically every registered participant was a winner with the special event grab bags; 50 drawings conducted every 15 minutes and the event's traditional awards presentations. The date, time and location for Oktoberfest 2009 will be announced after the first of the year and all past and present participants will be notified via email. This year’s winners included: EVENT GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Randall has been a United Way 2-1-1 volunteer and chair of the Oktoberfest Committee for the past seven years. “We want more people to become aware of this great service (United Way 2-1-1) so they can avoid or reduce their stress by being able to seek the services they need as quickly as possible and without delay. With each passing year, I know we are increasing the awareness.” Randall first became involved with United Way as a campaign coordinator while working for CSX Transportation in Jacksonville. “During that period I was on several additional United Way committees including Resource Management and Charity Oktoberfest,” Randall said. “I stayed involved with the Oktoberfest because I have a real passion for cars, but more importantly this event supports a great cause.” Proceeds from Charity Oktoberfest 2008 help support United Way 2-1-1, the 24-hour, 7 days a week, information and referral help line. By simply dialing three easy to remember telephone numbers, 2-1-1, residents in nine Northeast Florida counties (St. Johns, Duval, Clay, Baker, Nassau, Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia and Putnam) can get connected to the help they need. Assistance can also be received on-line at www.nefl211.org. United Way 2-1-1 links people to more than 2,800 programs and services. When someone dials 2-1-1, specially-trained call center specialists and volunteers analyze what services are needed from nonprofits, government agencies and connect them with those services right away. Currently, more than half of the U.S. population has access to 2-1-1, with more centers coming on line every month. In Florida, more than 85 percent of the state’s population has access to 2-1-1 services. Through his volunteer work and role on the Oktoberfest committee, Randall continues to get the message out about the importance of dialing 2-1-1. “It is the best source of free information and referral for services available for our residents, “ said Randall. “I have really enjoyed my involvement with 2-1-1. This is a program that I fully support and would recommend to everyone. Not only does it help connect people to the services they need, it is also Northeast Florida’s official suicide intervention and prevention help line.” United Way 2-1-1 is nationally accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) and is nationally accredited and certified by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and state certified by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). “We are pleased and honored to have such dedicated volunteers like Alex Randall and all of the other Oktoberfest committee members who are willing to help us get the word out about 2-1-1,” said Bob Arnold, Director of United Way 2-1-1. “Our Oktoberfest and United Way volunteers are invaluable to our program and help deliver the message of the importance of 2-1-1.” For more information on United Way’s 2-1-1 or to volunteer please call Bob Arnold at (904) 390-3278 or visit www.nefl211.org. Go to the Photo Gallery |
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