In July of ‘02, after ‘911’ and with safety foremost on everyone’s mind, three very determined women came together in a small community effort to raise funds for local needs in Braselton, Georgia. Thus creating Dare To Share. With their hard work and effort, they were able to raise $34,000! Enabling them to buy much needed new bulletproof vests for their local police department. Remaining funds went to several senior citizens homes, the local Boys & Girls Club and other local children’s causes.
By September ‘03, the efforts evolved to raising funds for less fortunate children. The focus was on a desperately needed children’s shelter in Winder, Georgia. The evening netted $151,000. The shelter received $110,000 of the funds and was officially opened in January ‘04 by Mrs. Mary Perdue, the First Lady of Georgia. Other local charities received the balance.
The sold out 2004 ‘The Fun Train’ Gala broke new records by raising an amazing $213,000. With the help of celebrities and sponsors, donors and contributions we presented The Smile Train with $135,000. Other organizations concerned with helping kids in need, received almost $60,000.
In April 2005, we hosted a Casino Night in the James Bond ‘007’ style and the ‘Black & White-Dare to Wear Red’ Gala at the Chateau Élan Resort. The event was attended by celebrities and raised $171,825 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Salvation Army’s Katrina Relief Fund and local kids causes.
The 2006 Casino Night had a ‘Wild West’ theme and our 5th Gala, ‘A Starry Night in the City of Lights’, brought out several celebrities to support the fundraiser and performed to the delight of the crowd. Local talent, Courtney Piedrahita (violin) and Tiffany Milagro (song) were also enthusiastically received. Net proceeds exceeded $100,000.
The ‘Let’s Put A Sparkle in Their Eyes’ Gala in 2007 introduced and crowned Breanna Bryant of Gainesville as the first ‘Dare To Share Angel’. Her duties included her participation in all our functions and representing us at other local events.
The Gala and the piano concert series raised $177,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs, Autism Society, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Challenged Child & Friends and The Dream House for Medically Fragile Children and The Smile Train.
In 2006 & 2007 Russian Piano virtuoso Sergey Pashkevich left a lasting impression of his mastery of the classical piano during his concert performances in public and private settings.