Today, $1.6 million may not seem like a lot of money. Athletes, movie stars and professionals can earn that in a few weeks’ time. On the other hand, that same amount can have a tremendous financial impact on a charitable organization that operates solely on donations.

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida cares for hundreds of terminally ill children and adults each year regardless of their ability to pay. This is one of several local charities on the receiving end of a generous donation by the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. I wanted to make sure that the money stayed local — He figured if the show was here, the money should stay here, too.

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida has been a benefactor of a portion of the show’s proceeds since day one. “It is amazing to me what the event has become and how much it has and continues to help our organization,” said Susan Ponder-Stansel, president and CEO for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. “The funding and the awareness that the Concours d’Elegance has brought to Community Hospice over the years would be hard to overstate, and we feel very blessed to continue to benefit from this top-notch event.”

The show’s other benefiting charities include the Spina Bifida Association of Florida at Jacksonville (SBAJ), Shop with Cops, Duval County 4-H Foundation and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. While each organization holds a special place in organizers’ hearts, Warner was touched personally by two of the charities.

Warner’s parents, as well as his wife’s, spent their final stages of life in hospice care. “When they were dying, hospice took such great care of them,” he said. Tragically, the nonprofit organization was again instrumental in the care of someone close to Warner. The show’s vice chairman, retired Lt. Col. David Leedy, who had been with the organization since the early days, was being cared for by Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and sadly, passed away just before Christmas. “Sooner or later we all meet this challenge. It’s nice to know that there is an organization here that can take care of a very difficult situation.”

Warner’s granddaughter was born with spina bifida, a disease that develops when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column doesn’t close all of the way. It’s one of the most common birth defects that disables people for life. As a result, the Spina Bifida Association of Florida at Jacksonville is yet another charitable organization near and dear to Warner and the organization he formed 15 years ago.

This marks the 15th year that the Concours will donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to several very deserving organizations in the North Florida region. So when you reach into your wallets this year to pay the admission charge to attend the Concours d’Elegance or any of its weeklong events, you are not only supporting a world-renowned event celebrating its 15th year in our own backyard, you are also helping support the community and its many wonderful charitable organizations.