Helping Hands for the Holidays set for Nov. 19
An annual tradition of giving right before Thanksgiving has always put attendees in a great mood as they open their wallets to give to three charities.
“It’s an annual tradition that just feels great. Everyone who attends is always in the best of moods for the evening,” Gary Aubuchon said about the 20th annual Helping Hands for the Holidays fundraiser. “It’s primarily the fellowship of the evening and raising money for the good causes.”
The event began in 1999 as a Holiday House where one of their Aubuchon Homes models was decorated and opened throughout the month as a way to passively raise money for charity.
“We used to rotate the charities every year way back when,” he said. “The idea was to take the theme of giving at Christmas and help the community.”
In 2002, when Aubuchon Team of Companies moved into its headquarters, the Holiday House transformed into Helping Hands for the Holidays, an event held at their office.
Now in its second decade, Helping Hands for the Holidays will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at Team Aubuchon Corporate Office, 4707 SE 9th Place.
The evening entails lots of food, holiday music, the lighting of a large Rockefeller Center style Christmas tree and a visit from Santa Claus.
Food donations will be provided by Big Blue; Bubba’s; Carabbas; Geno Grille; Chick-Fil-A; Chili’s; Fathoms; Lobster Lady; Nevermind; Outback Steakhouse; Overtime; Publix; Rum Runners; Slates and The Lighthouse.
The fundraiser will benefit three charities which have remained the same for a number of years. Those charities include Make A Wish Foundation, Builders Care and Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Florida.
“We’ve had employees who have used the Ronald McDonald House, employees that have been the beneficiary of Make A Wish. It was brought to us by these employees years and years ago. They are worthwhile charities to support,” Aubuchon said. “Builders Care has been involved with us as a builder as well. We have seen the good work that they do. Builders Care typically builds ramps, widens doorways and provides handicap accessible features.”
The three charities help children, help families of children with a disease, as well as help handicap and elderly individuals gain access, or have greater access to their homes.
Aubuchon said they are always humbled by the financial contributions they receive from people who attend the annual event. Those contributions come in small donations of $5 to a couple hundred dollars.
“For many that have been with us for years and years, it signals to them the beginning, or kicks off the holiday season. They feel good about themselves as they approach the holiday by contributing to these charities,” he said.
The event is approaching a half a million dollars in donations collected for charity.
“In the early years we didn’t keep electronic records,” Aubuchon said.
The goal each year is to raise more money than the prior year. The only time the event was not able to beat the last year’s numbers was during the recession.
The goal this year is to raise more than $37,500, which they collected in donations in 2017.
“(There are) so many individual people contributing and that is what makes it a special evening,” Aubuchon said.
His favorite part of the evening is it does not require an RSVP.
“Anyone can come and go and we never know who, or how many people are coming. Every year between 250-300 people show up and truly enjoy the evening. Sometimes during the course of the year it is the only time I see some of the people that come to this event,” Aubuchon said.