An incredible milestone will be reached on Saturday, February 4, 2017: more than $10 million will be raised as a result of the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments® (GCC), with 100% of the proceeds donated to charities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

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Riders and kids from the Boys and Girls Club meet, showing the intersection of sport and philanthrop ...

Riders and kids from the Boys and Girls Club meet, showing the intersection of sport and philanthropy at the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments®. (Photo ©Lexey Hall Photography.)

Founded in 2010 by Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige, the GCC has helped the equestrian community take charitable giving to a new level through its love of equestrian sport. This event has impacted thousands of lives through its unique equestrian competition. To date, the GCC has distributed more than $9.2 million to over 200 non-profits in Palm Beach County. This year the fundraising goal is a minimum of $1.5 million. Once added to its already incredible fundraising amount, the event will have raised more than $10 million over the past eight years.

On Saturday, February 4, the GCC returns to Wellington during the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) circuit for eight years in a row. This year’s theme of animated movie characters celebrates those who have dared to imagine a better community, such as the sponsors of the GCC, the riders donating their time, and last but certainly not least, all involved with the charitable organizations.

While most non-profits are supported and funded via the community, the GCC fills a true need to cover operating expenses; expenses that a lot of donors shy away from supporting. A homeless shelter needs new windows, a food pantry needs a vehicle to reach hundreds every week, and a foster organization needs operating costs to help foster children. These are a few examples of the ways that the GCC enables Palm Beach County charities to serve the community to their fullest potential.

A full list of charities that have benefitted from the event since its debut in 2010 can be found on the event website: www.greatcharitychallenge.com.

The GCC has free general admission. Gates open at 6 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

For the latest event information and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatcharitychallenge.