THE 8TH ANNUAL
“CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE”
HELPING SENIORS CAR RAFFLE
FOR CHARITY.
We’re have been so excited to be back with the 2024 8th Annual “Choose Your Adventure” Helping Seniors Car Raffle! The Helping Seniors of Brevard local charity, celebrating 12 years of service to Seniors in Brevard County, provides extensive Senior Care Navigation Information and Education to Seniors and their families, free of charge, through our Senior Information Helpline, as well as our extensive Senior Information Media Outreach including TV, Radio, Print, Online and Social Media. We also continuously advocate on behalf of the 200,000 Seniors 60+ who call Brevard home.
Helping Seniors of Brevard is an approved not-for-profit organization, and we depend on your support to continue our mission to help the rapidly growing number of Seniors in our County.
Joe Steckler, our President & Founder, who was instrumental in establishing the area’s “Joe’s Clubs”, named after him, formed Helping Seniors to make a difference locally and, together with his friends, began the Helping Seniors Car Raffle as a way to generate funds – in a fun way – to benefit Seniors and to ensure the work of Helping Seniors can continue each year.
And, now, in 2024, we enjoyed the 8th Annual Helping Seniors Car Raffle for Charity! Congratulations to our winner Jim Neumann – who selected the Chevrolet Colorado Truck as his choice!
We thank you for your continued support of Helping Seniors of Brevard. We can all agree we need to take care of our Seniors and, together with your support, Helping Seniors of Brevard can continue our mission to improve the quality of life for Brevard’s senior population!
THE GRAND DRAWING CELEBRATION
AT THE AMERICAN MUSCLE CAR MUSEUM
The Sunday Afternoon at the Museum
Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing Event
took place:
Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grand Drawing at 3:15pm Eastern Time
Location: American Muscle Car Museum – 3500 Sarno Road – Melbourne FL
While always “need not be present to win” – as a Helping Seniors Car Raffle ticket holder, you will have an opportunity to attend “The Sunday Afternoon at the Museum” Grand Drawing Event at the American Muscle Car Museum in person.
American Muscle Car Museum Owner Mark Pieloch again kindly invited Helping Seniors Car Raffle ticket holders to this great Celebration at his amazing Museum. Your 2024 Helping Seniors Car Raffle ticket was an “Admit One” to the “Sunday at the Museum” Grand Drawing event from 1 pm – 4 pm on that Sunday, October 27th.
Ticket included access to the Front Showroom at the American Muscle Car Museum and to all outdoor exhibits as well as complimentary soda/bottled water and cookies (while supplies last). (Please note: 2 tickets are required per adult for Entry to the American Muscle Car Museum Main Collection in the Rear Showroom. Additional tickets were available on-site on the day of the Grand Drawing event.)
It was a fun and family-friendly afternoon at the American Muscle Car Museum, and so this year, child admission (ages 3-9) is included free with each Car Raffle ticket holding adult (limit 2 children per adult)!
We are so appreciative of American Muscle Car Museum Owner Mark Pieloch and A.J. Hiers, of Boniface-Hiers Automotive – for their help over the years in supporting the work of Helping Seniors through the Helping Seniors Car Raffle and it was a great Grand Drawing event in 2024!
Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing Event at the American Muscle Car Museum
Helping Seniors, the non-profit that operates Brevard County’s Senior Information Helpline, which saw more than 5,454 calls in 2023 alone, celebrates the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Fundraiser with a fun Grand Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida. As you probably know, this museum is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but owner Mark Pieloch has generously offered, again, to host the Grand Drawing event live for the Helping Seniors 2024 Great Car Raffle.
On October 27th, 2024, our winner was able to pick up the keys to their choice of a beautiful 2024 Jeep Compass Sport; 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Truck; 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; 2024 Mazda3 Sedan; 2024 Dodge Hornet; or 2024 Kia Sportage – all from the AJ Hiers collection of dealerships (Boniface-Hiers Automotive Group).
Each Car Raffle Ticket ($25 for one 1 ticket or 5 tickets for $100 donation) was also your “Admit One” to the “Sunday at the Museum” Grand Drawing event from 1 pm – 4 pm Sunday, October 27th. Each ticket included access to the Front Showroom at the American Muscle Car Museum and all outdoor exhibits as well as complimentary soda/bottled water and cookies. (Please note: 2 tickets were required per adult for Entry to the American Muscle Car Museum Main Collection in the Rear Showroom. Additional tickets were available on-site on the day of the Grand Drawing event.)
It was a fun and family-friendly afternoon at the American Muscle Car Museum, and child admission (ages 3-9) was included free with each Car Raffle ticket holding adult (limit 2 children per adult)! It was an opportunity to see the not-open-to-the-public collection and enjoy 125,000 square feet of automotive greatness – more than 400 cars ranging from classic 1950’s to today’s American Muscle Cars! It is always a lot of fun leading up to the Grand Drawing to determine the winner of the 2024 Car Raffle Grand Drawing!
Thank you for supporting the Helping Seniors Car Raffle that assists Helping Seniors of Brevard to fund its service efforts to serve the 200,000 persons 60+ who reside in our county!
Congratulations Diane Pelak – Winner of the 2023 Helping Seniors of Brevard Car Raffle!
She is enjoying her brand new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport!
Look for the Helping Seniors Hall-of-Winners coming soon!
Helping Seniors, the non-profit that operates Brevard County’s Senior Information Helpline, which saw more than 5,454 calls in 2024 alone, celebrates the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Fundraiser with a fun Grand Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne, Florida.
As you probably know, this museum is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but owner Mark Pieloch generously agreed to host the Grand Drawing event live for the Helping Seniors 2024 Great Car Raffle once again!
From the Desk of our Founder/President Joe Steckler:
“As I approach my 35th year of fundraising for non-profits subsequent to my 38-year military career, I want all to know how much your support is appreciated. This year we have a selection of 7 new 2024 cars from which to choose – a Jeep Compass Sport, a Chevrolet Colorado Truck, a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a Mazda3 Sedan; a Dodge Hornet; Mazda Miata Convertible or a Kia Sportage. Keep up to date on all details on HelpingSeniorsofBrevard.org. Please tell your friends and join us in this raffle to help people. This is a volunteer effort and I assure you I will keep each supporter in my prayers.” – Joe
All proceeds fund the work of Helping Seniors of Brevard Inc., a Florida not-for-profit dedicated to serving Brevard County seniors via our no-cost Senior Information Helpline, our Senior Information media outreach, and our Senior Advocacy programs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GRAND DRAWING EVENT
The Story behind the Helping Seniors Car Raffle
En·dorse·ment (n) an act of giving one’s public approval or support to someone or something.
Helping Seniors President/Founder Joe Steckler paid a call on A.J. Hiers, of the Boniface-Hiers Automotive Group, in early 2017. AJ had helped Joe in the past when Joe was busy with his work with the Alzheimer’s Foundation and Joe had wanted to talk about a car to follow-up on the Helping Seniors 2016 successful “Win the Jaguar” raffle fundraiser. (The “Win the Jaguar” Raffle Car, by the way, was donated to Helping Seniors by an individual who wanted to help support the vision of Helping Seniors).
AJ showed Joe a beautifully restored 1951 Ford Victoria – a look-alike to the one Robert Mitchum drove in the classic movie “Thunder Road.” – in AJ’s private collection. “An absolutely beautiful car,” Joe told AJ, “but we haven’t got that kind of money.” AJ said, “Joe, you can afford that car!” Joe asked him how that could be possible. AJ’s answer: “You can afford it, because I am giving it to you!”
As they talked further, AJ told Joe that he believed in the work that Joe was doing with Helping Seniors and wanted to find a way to help ensure the work of Helping Seniors can keep going and growing. “Joe,” he said, “Take this car and use it to make as much money as you possibly can to help in the good work that you are doing.” And, with AJ’s ringing endorsement, they kicked-off 2017’s Helping Seniors “Win the Classic” Car Raffle fund-raising effort which culminated with February 10th 2018 Grand Prize drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne Florida with James Lawler, of Satellite Beach FL, as the fortunate winner.
The 2018-2019 Helping Seniors Car Raffle featured the opportunity for the Grand Prize winner to select their choice of a new 2019 Dodge Challenger, Mazda Convertible or Dodge Truck. Karen Leigh Hoodless, of Melbourne FL, was at the Grand Prize Drawing at the American Muscle Car Museum on April 29th 2019, and drove home in her choice of the 3 cars – the Dodge Challenger! In fact, she selected the very model that was on display at the American Muscle Car Museum that night!
The 2020 Helping Seniors Car Raffle offered up Winner’s Choice of a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro, 2020 Dodge Challenger, 2020 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2020 Kia Sportage. Troy Darling, of Indialantic FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2020 Chevrolet Camaro.
The 2021 Helping Seniors Car Raffle offered up Winner’s Choice of a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, 2021 Dodge Challenger, 2021 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2021 Kia Sportage. David Odahowski, of Orlando FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2021 Kia Sportage.
The 2022 Helping Seniors Car Raffle saw choices among a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro, 2022 Dodge Challenger, 2022 Mazda Miata convertible or a 2022 Kia Sportage. Gail McGinnis, of West Melbourne FL, won the Car Raffle and chose a beautiful 2023 Chevrolet Camaro.
The 2023 Helping Seniors Car Raffle saw choices among a 2023 Dodge Challenger, 2023 Chevrolet Camaro, 2023 Mazda Miata Convertible, 2023 Kia Sportage, or a 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. Diane Pelak won the Car Raffle and selected her 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for her choice.
This year, Helping Seniors President Joe Steckler and Car Dealer A.J. Hiers stepped it all up even further with brand new 2024 cars – offering the winner the choice of a Jeep Compass Sport, a Chevrolet Colorado Truck, a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a Mazda3 Sedan; a Dodge Hornet; Mazda Miata Convertible and a Kia Sportage. All great choices for great fun for a great cause!
The Fun History of the Dodge v Chevy Challenge
Check out the Dodge v Chevy Challenge
Until the last run of these great cars, in the 2024 Model year, 2 of the most Popular Muscle Cars of all time were choices in the Helping Seniors Car Raffle fundraiser! The ever-popular Dodge Challenger and the sought-after Chevrolet Camaro each have had their own set of fans who back their muscle car all the way!
Just for fun, along the way, we invited Helping Seniors volunteers to choose up sides and “Bring it On” in the Dodge v Chevy Challenge. We filmed their excursions on the test track at Mark Pieloch’s beautiful American Muscle Car Museum. Great cars and great fun ensued!
Let’s look back at the wild 2023 Fourth Edition (so rambunctious that Sheriff Wayne Ivey had to step in); the so-much-fun from the 2022 Third Time Edition, the 2021 Re-Match Edition, and, of course, the one that started it all, the original 2020 Dodge v Chevy Showdown!
2023 Car Raffle Collector Posters!
Click the Poster for the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Mini-Poster PDF
Someone’s Going to Win a New Car! Might as well be You!