Tailgate raises $40,000 for Delray's Achievement Centers

Keeping tabs of auction items. At left is Stephanie Seibel executive director of the Achievement Centers for Children and Families, with Tom Kriete and Tom Serio of the Chamber Men's Group. Kriete and Serio are wearing the group's new black shirts.

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — The weather was just good enough Wednesday evening as the Delray Beach Chamber Men’s Group pulled off most likely the best fundraiser in its five-year history.

CMG Chairman Dan Castrillon estimated that the group’s annual All-American Tailgate Party raised upwards of $40,000 in donations, sponsorships, ticket sales and auction proceeds, all of which will benefit the Achievement Centers for Children and Families in Delray Beach. Castrillon estimated about 350 attended.

“This was a great night,” Castrillon said.

The tailgate is the group’s major fundraiser for the year, but unlike previous events, this one was held outdoors — on the lawn at Old School Square — and the weather the past few days made for some uneasy moments. Castrillon said he was up until 2 a.m. the night before, in part keeping an eye on the Weather Channel’s latest updates.

Rain stayed away for the most part, but better weather most likely would have boosted ticket sales by about 100, Castrillon said. But he wasn't complaining.

“We got lucky,” Castrillon said. “We just got lucky.”

The Achievement Centers serves about 700 low-income children and families in the Delray Beach community, Executive Director Stephanie Seibel said. It provides a variety of programs aimed at preschool and school age kids to teenagers and adults with the aim of bridging the educational gap that can keep students from success in school and adults from success in the workplace.

Money raised at events like Wednesday’s tailgate helps the Achievement Centers fulfill its mission.

“Eighty-eight cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programs and services,” Seibel said. “That’s pretty good.”

Chamber Men's Group Chairman Dan Castrillon conducting an auction Wednesday evening.

Adina Serrell of Adina's Cakery holds a cake she donated for auction Wednesday. At right is her husband, Bruce Serrell. Serrell didn't know how much the item raised.