FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Hot weather made the drinks colder, the shade cooler, and drove attendees to the restaurant for good eats and to the big tent to place their bids on the silent auction items Saturday, July 19 as local nonprofit Flagler Strong hosted a benefit for the Flagler Beach Police Department.
Emceed by Surf 97.3 FM’s Vern Shank with guest emcee comedy queen Cristy B, live music by the Alias Band, Signal 20, and Redfoot from the HT Productions’ stage kept the energy high and crowds entertained throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
Scott Fox, co-owner of the host location Tortugas Florida Kitchen & Bar, bravely stepped up to the plate for the dunk tank to help raise funds and opened his wallet when it was Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney’s turn to get wet. Others paid to let the officers on the beach town’s small department have a turn at dunking the chief, all in good fun, of course.
With a goal of raising $55,000 for the Flagler Beach PD, the live auction, led by Flagler Broadcasting’s Kirk Keller drew an estimated $17,000 with the largest bid battle taking place over a private dinner for 10 cooked by Chef Miguel of the famed Romero’s Tuscany by the Sea, including wine service for $7,000.
“Live auctions are always fun… the audience/bidders can either be brutal or hilarious – Saturday’s audience was both… especially when they started bidding a $1 at a time. The passion and the love for the Flagler Beach Police Department is why the audience kept bidding,” shared Keller.
In the midst of the Home Depot Traeger smoker, Hammock Beach Resort, Hammock Dunes, and Sugar Mill golf packages, the bottle of Macallan Scotch Whisky Rare Cask Black, and Palm Coast Ford Lifetime oil changes, it was a special bid that caught everyone’s heart.
“There was a 3-year-old that bid $5.00 for swimming with the dolphins at Marineland,” said Keller.
“No one wanted to bid against her until someone yelled— I’ll buy it for her. It sold for over $300.00 and the couple that won the bid gave the opportunity to the little girl. The mom stopped me to let me know and they both gave me a huge hug.”
Participating in events like this offer more than a chance to see and be seen for people in Flagler. It’s a chance to give back.
“When Scott asked if I would host the auction I was honored because I appreciate and love our law enforcement men and women,” added Keller, who has called Flagler Beach home for years.
A solid array of silent auction and raffle items from around the community helped beef up the total, and organizers announced more than $27,000 raised by late afternoon.
Funds raised are slated to help the FBPD purchase safety equipment that was not budgeted for this cycle according to Flagler Strong President Tracy Callahan-Hennessey.
If you missed the event, donations to support the Flagler Beach Police Department can be made at www.weareflaglerstrong.com.
