In its 16th year, the Great Charity Challenge, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, continues to shine as an inspiring example of how sporting events can serve as a powerful vehicle for positive change. Thanks to the generosity and support of sponsors and donors, this year’s event Saturday, Feb. 1 raised more than $2 million, benefiting 44 nonprofits and 12 Wellington schools for a grand total of 56 organizations.
Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International came alive with energy, creativity and a shared spirit of philanthropy as 35 teams took part in an unforgettable night of show jumping. Each team consisted of three riders, ranging from the young, rising stars of the sport to Olympians, showcasing the diversity and depth of talent within Wellington’s equestrian community.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and supportive network of partners, and we are excited to continue growing with them to create even more meaningful change in the years to come,” GCC Executive Director Anne Caroline Valtin said. “Thank you to every donor and sponsor for your steadfast support — you are truly the reason the Great Charity Challenge keeps getting bigger and better, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.”
Each team was paired with a local charity and raced to raise funds and hope for their designated organizations. As the competition unfolded, this year’s “Global Music” theme added a unique flair, with teams donning costumes inspired by musical traditions from around the globe, infusing the event with vibrant energy and creativity. The funds raised will go on to provide vital resources for these organizations, addressing a wide range of community needs, from education and healthcare to animal welfare and homelessness.
“The Great Charity Challenge is a huge team effort, and the team at Wellington International generously absorbs all the administrative costs, so 100 percent of the funds raised go right into our community, to organizations that do the most critical work,” said Paige Bellissimo Nuñez, co-founder of the Great Charity Challenge. “Thank you to all the organizations here and to Wellington International and Anne Caroline. Her passion and dedication to this event is really what makes it happen year after year.”
Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone celebrated a successful and impactful evening. “You saw the place packed tonight. The best part of this evening is, not only do we raise so much money for charity, but we bring the entire community out for an event,” he said. “It’s opening the door to new people coming out and seeing what the equestrian community is all about. This is the crown jewel of Wellington, and it’s something we’re so proud of.”
The winning team of riders, Tony Stormanns, Taylor Cawley and Eloise Eisner, sponsored by Louisburg Farm and Portfolio Horses, earned the Arc of Palm Beach County the top prize of $100,000 in a winning time of 88.781 seconds. The team’s musically inspired costume was a nod to the early 1990s British girl group, the Spice Girls.
The Arc is dedicated to changing the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities and improving the lives of the people they serve.
“It’s an absolute honor to be a part of the Great Charity Challenge. We are floored by the generosity of this community,” said Charlotte Gill, chief advancement officer for the Arc. “This is the most fun event that we get to experience, and we are grateful to be the winners.”
The money will go toward the nonprofit’s micro enterprise businesses. “Our clients love receiving a paycheck just like anybody else, and they work for that paycheck,” Gill said. “We have many skilled clients who will be benefiting from the funds received tonight.”
The evening’s celebration kicked off with the Pet Parade and Costume Contest, generously presented by the Postage Stamp Farm Foundation and Artemis Farm, which awarded $55,000 in grants to 10 pre-selected nonprofit organizations. The joyful initiative wasn’t just about costumes — it was an opportunity for the next generation to embrace the idea of giving back and becoming active members of the community.
More than 20 additional grants were distributed to worthy nonprofits, extending the event’s impact far beyond the competition.
One of the standout initiatives of 2025 was the Doyle Family Foundation Volunteer Initiative, which aimed to promote volunteerism and recognize the tireless efforts of those who give their time and energy to support local organizations. This year, the initiative awarded 19 grants of $4,000 to organizations whose volunteers submitted testimonials showcasing the work they do.
This renewed focus on volunteerism highlighted the fundamental belief that community action is key to driving change. The initiative not only elevated the importance of volunteers but also showcased the collective power of individuals coming together to support causes they care about.
As the GCC continues to demonstrate its commitment to transparency — ensuring that every dollar raised is directly allocated to local Palm Beach County charities — philanthropists have been inspired to join forces with the event, seeing it as an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference. By supporting the GCC, these individuals and organizations can maximize their contributions.
In total, these efforts further solidified the GCC’s commitment to supporting local nonprofits, empowering both volunteers and organizations alike to continue their vital work. As the event continues to grow, the partnership between sponsors, volunteers and the equestrian community promises to bring even more positive change to Palm Beach County in the years to come.
“Fidelity Investments is committed to making a difference in the communities where we work and live and are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the 16th edition of the Great Charity Challenge. To date, this important event has distributed more than $21.7 million to more than 339 charities, making a difference in the Palm Beach County community,” said Matthew Gibson, head of the southeast region for Fidelity Investments.
Coming in second place at the end of the evening was the Friends of Palm Beach Inc. team, sponsored by the Benjamin, Harris and Yowan families, and supporting sponsor the Eppinger Family Foundation. The team consisted of Christian Hacker, Kiana Mitchell and Charlotte Bertoglio, earning $90,000 for their charity with a final time of 89.935 seconds.
Charlie’s Fund finished third and won $80,000 with a time of 90.149 seconds. The team was made up of Kevin Gallagher, Caroline Mawhinney and Mia Albelo, sponsored by Crawford, Darst & Kurek and supporting sponsors Marigot Bay & High Rise.
The sliding scale for the balance of the proceeds — down to 35th place winning a minimum of $15,000 — ensures that everyone was a winner.
To learn more, visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com.
