On Saturday, June 5, the fourth annual Highway to Help Heroes Charity Drive took place at Ring Power Corporation headquarters in St. Augustine.
The charity drive, which is funded by both The Leb Family Foundation and the Sissine’s Office Systems, was created with the intention of supporting the officer of the First Coast who serve and protect the community every day, and to honor the men and women who have been injured in the line of duty.
Highway to Help Heroes donates their proceeds to two local organizations that support first responders, including the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Foundation’s Fallen Officer Welfare Relief Fund and K9s For Warriors. The FOP is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 351,000 members, and celebrates the life and sacrifice of police officers who have paid the price for their communities. K9s For Warriors is well-known in the North Florida area, and the country, as the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma with a program that is unique, comprehensive, and proven thanks to groundbreaking research conducted in partnership with Purdue University’s OHAIRE Lab.
Hurley Haywood, legendary motorsport icon who was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005, led this year’s car rally up a 45-mile course along I-95 and A1A into downtown Jacksonville.
“I’m thrilled to lead the charge during this year’s Highway to Help Heroes event,” Haywood said in a press release. “It is such a treat to join car enthusiasts from across Florida for this event to honor the work of our police force and military.”
Haywood’s career spans an impressive 45 years of racing, with a total of 10 wins across the Rolex24 at Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 12 Hours of Sebring. His participation in the event sparked inspiration in many, and with his help, the charity drive raised over a generous donation for their selected charities.
Nearly 100 individuals registered their personal luxury vehicles to participate in the charity drive, and afterwards were treated to an exclusive Studio 54-themed event at Cowford Chophouse.
