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| (l to r): Carlos Perez; Chuck McLaughlin of Bonefish Mac's; and Jay DiPietro. Chuck had the winning bid of $57,000. |
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| Mike McCarthy, CCM, and Carlos |
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| 19-year-old Special Athlete Elizabeth Goyette presented a plaque of appreciation from Special Olympics to Jay and the committee |
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Florida, June 27, 2006
It may just have been CMAA's proudest ever moment.
It was one in which Carlos Perez, CCM, completely redefined the entire notion of giving back.
Monday afternoon, the General Manager of High Ridge Country Club, a Director of the Florida Chapter and Committee Member of the Charity Golf Tournament put on by Florida's Seminole Region was amongst almost 300 golfers who had just finished playing in the 16th annual event that netted in excess of $400,000 for Special Olympics, SOS Children's Village and Toys For Tots.
The highlight of the auctions and raffles schedule, which had begun during a party for 700 people on Sunday night at Boca West Country Club, was the limited-draw opportunity to win a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, courtesy of the title sponsor of the National Club Championship. Only 500 tickets were available, for $200 apiece.
In the event's final order of business. Cadillac's Jennifer Cadicamo drew the winning ticket out of the drum, and Carlos was suddenly the owner of a $72,000 Escalade.
As colleagues and friends yelled fix! Carlos approached the podium. What he said upon getting there threw the room into bedlam.
"I want to give it back, for the kids."
What?!?!
Hang on, Carlos, this isn't just the top prize of Sysco's $5,000 Trip to Hawaii Raffle, that in a wonderfully emotional moment was won this year by 19-year-old Special Olympics athlete Elizabeth Goyette, for whom the ticket had been purchased by an attendee . . . . its a $70,000 Cadillac!
And you're not Donald Trump!!
"I want to give it back, for the kids."
Tournament Chairman Jay DiPietro, CCM, and Vice Chairman Michael McCarthy quickly huddled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new auction item: a fully loaded, 2007 Cadillac Escalade! Opening bids please!"
Beginning at $25,000, the bids rose quickly, slowing only when they topped $40,000. The gavel finally came down after Bonefish Mac's restaurant owner Chuck McLaughlin's bid reached $57,000 - and established the single greatest charitable act in the storied history of CMAA.
Carlos, that's extraordinary - but what were you thinking?
"When young Elizabeth won the Hawaii trip, I turned to Keith Svane and said this is what its all about," said Carlos this morning.
We're here to do good for those who need our help, and its kids like her who should win those prizes. Two minutes after I said that to Keith, my name gets called, and suddenly its time for me to keep my word.
"And what did your wife say? She left me already," joked Carlos.
"Diane couldn't be happier about it," he continued. "We're so lucky, all of us here. We have great jobs, great families, great lives - why keep what we don't need?"
"Winning is an incredible feeling," said Carlos. "But being able to give back is even greater. Everybody has it in them, to some degree. I was just lucky to have the opportunity."
"Now let me go to work and earn some money!!"
Many thanks to Frank W. Butler, Managing Director,
Florida Chapter CMAA, for contributing this story |
