This year’s Car Raffle of a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 for the Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation was completed on Thursday, 11 February 2021 at Mercedes-Benz of Augusta.
It was a great success with 1100 tickets sold despite the many restrictions of the COVID 19 pandemic, with the able help of our partners, members of the Rotary Club of Augusta (Signature Fundraiser Recipient-The HOPE HOUSE of Augusta), Dr. Mac Bowman, CEO De Pierce, Nathan Cartwright and Mercedes-Benz of Augusta, Mrs. Zina McNeil of Advertising Solutions (zina@youradvertisingsolution.com), Jay Jefferies and staff of FOX 54, Augusta Blueprint, Coach Ron Spry, retired HOF basketball coach of Paine College, Ms. Brenda Aiken, University Hospital Cath Lab Director, University Cardiology Associates Staff – Ms. Carolyn Sullivan, Ms. Sharon Upton, Ms. Felita Brady and Ms. Jackie Alvarez.
Special thanks this year Mrs. Tina D’Antignac of Cadence Bank for professional banking support and expert counsel. Her extra efforts in getting our on-line ticket sales/donations in place, efficient and effective was truly a difference maker when so much personal contact was limited this year.
Mrs. McNeil created a very bright and easily negotiated website which told Horizon’s story and made on-line ticket sales and donations easy and effective. Thanks to my daughter, Mrs. Nicouri Bowman Hayes for great advice and regular Facebook posts—great job/very effective. Thanks as well for the “homework” and supervision of on-line correspondence and ticket tally by Mrs. Lisa Pierce and granddaughter, Queen.
Major gratitude to the many raffle ticket buyers and donors who helped to make this year’s fundraiser very successful in the most difficult and challenging of times. Thank you to all. To God be the Glory. From Him – to Us – to Others. Always for the Greater Good.
Bowman, M. D., Chairman/Founder
De Pierce, CEO
Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation
The last ticket pulled this year for the Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation for 2021 was 0081. The lucky winner of the beautiful black 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 SUV was Mr. Dwayne Stokes and his son Kobe. It was an unusually quiet event this year held on Thursday, 11 February at Mercedes-Benz of Augusta. Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, there was no health screening, musical entertainment, dancing or other festivities including an adult reception with full bar and food provided by the Rotary Club of Augusta, our partners for their Signature Fundraiser.
The Hope House in Augusta which supports women with substance issues as well as those in transition from abusive relationships provides a safe haven, clothes, food, rehabilitation and job placement. They will receive $25,000 for programs and support. Other recipients from this year’s funds will be Project BBUILD of Alpha Mu/Boys and Girls Club of Augusta (mentorship program for middle school boys), The Family Y (A Place to Dream) which provides beds and sleeping items for children without them; The Center of Hope of the Salvation Army for homeless individuals and families in transit and multiple food banks and urban food, clothing, medications and emergency homeless support.
Additionally, Horizon provides public school support with purchase of needed equipment to support student at school activity as well as provision of teacher gratitude and support. Last year Horizon also provided Scholarships for 6 graduating high school students for assistance with first year college expenses. It also provided financial support for 4 graduate students and one freshman medical student.
Despite the COVID 19 Pandemic, Horizon continues to do multiple community education sessions virtually. There continues to be a demand and a need for community education which improves health and lessens the occurrence and progressions of cardiovascular disease. This year there was also education on COVID 19 prevention and treatment to include facilitation of vaccines for senior citizens and inner-city individuals with preexisting conditions which increased their risk.
As it seems each year, there is an associated special accent to the story of the vehicle winner. Mr. Stokes is from a very close family which includes his young son, Kobe. Mr. Stokes lost his mother recently and several family members, including one of his brothers who had major and severe illness from COVID 19. A very motivated and innovative young man, he had seen the pandemic wreak havoc with his previously successful business. Never one to give in or give up, he had altered his course to work a distance from home with a daily commute of over 200 miles. Despite his personal difficulty, he continued to be a rock of support for his family including his brothers. They too labored and grieved at the loss of their mother but also nearly lost one from complications of Diabetes and later from severe COVID 19 infection. Another brother had lost transportation as his vehicle failed. Mr. Stokes, his other brother and uncles had just pooled funds to buy him a refurbished, used vehicle just one week before ticket number 0081 was pulled. It was just reward for a great young man dedicated to his family whose fortune was on the upturn. It was an emotional and joyful call from his uncle, De Pierce, of Mercedes- Benz of Augusta and CEO of Horizon Foundation. He is also Mr. Stokes’ uncle, his late Mother’s brother. It was a happy turn of events and much needed uplift for Mr. Stokes, Kobe and the rest of the Stokes family.
Despite the difference in the raffle event, it was a great success nonetheless. Hopefully, next year, with everyone vaccinated, we will be back to our old ways of healthful, helpful cardiovascular screening, entertainment, good food and revelry. For this year, we joy in Mr. Stokes and his family’s improving fortune and the outstanding fundraising results for The Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation and the Rotary Club of Augusta and its Signature Fundraiser. It was a great day for Mr. Stokes and Kobe, The Hope House and for all that will benefit from the charitable efforts and results of this year’s successful event.
Bowman, M. D./De Pierce, CEO
Dr. Mac Bowman Horizon Foundation
