Event Director, Kelsey Ellis (far left) and Race Founder, DeWitt Davenport (far right) of The Davenport Companies congratulate the beneficiaries for the 2017 Seaside Le Mans. (Full caption in-story.)

At a kickoff event for the 2017 Seaside Le Mans – The Race for the Cape Cod Community, five local non-profit organizations were announced as beneficiaries for this year’s race.  The annual fundraiser slated for Saturday, September 9, 2017, at Mashpee Commons has raised over $5.5M through sponsorships and matching funds over the past 16 years. Sponsors, beneficiaries, and supporters attended the kickoff event held on February 2nd at the Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis. The following beneficiaries were announced, each with a designated focus for the anticipated $600,000+ in funds that will be raised this year:

Cape Cod & Islands Major Crisis Relief Fund – Humanitarian Aid After Disaster

Cape Cod Healthcare – Heart & Vascular Institute

Lower Cape Outreach Council – BasicNeeds Assistance for Lower Cape Families

Mass Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary – Science & Environmental School Education Programs

Special Olympics Massachusetts – Unified Sports Inclusive High School Programs

The new Drivers Cup Fundraising Challenge was also introduced, encouraging all Seaside Le Mans drivers on sponsored teams to participate in an individual fundraising challenge to further boost the funds raised for the year. Online tools and templates will be available to all drivers to assist with this program and special incentives will be offered for top fundraisers. Event Director Kelsey Ellis explains, “Most teams have corporate sponsorship which is fantastic, but many drivers in the past have expressed interest in participating on a more personal level. This program will allow them to invite their family and friends to support them as they support the Cape Cod community.”

The Seaside Le Mans, presented and underwritten by The Davenport Companies, features teams of sponsors driving Formula One karts during a four-hour endurance race on an outdoor track to determine the winner. The Davenport Companies, which covers all event related costs, works with F1 Boston to organize and manage the race. All race donations and sponsorships are sent to The Cape Cod Foundation, which distributes the funds to the designated beneficiaries. The event is free to spectators and also features entertainment and children’s activities.

Corporate and individual driving sponsorships range from $2,000 – $10,000 which provide the opportunity to participate in the endurance race, a practice session several weeks prior to the race, the sponsor dinner, team gifts and marketing and promotional benefits. All equipment is included, no racing experience is required and all sponsorships are tax-deductible. Drivers must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license. Companies or individuals interested in becoming sponsors/kart drivers are encouraged to contact Kelsey Ellis, Event Director at 508-394-8800 ext. 142 as soon as possible since the field will be limited to 20 teams. More event details are available at www.seasidelemans.org and on Facebook.

Full photo caption:  Event Director, Kelsey Ellis (far left) and Race Founder, DeWitt Davenport (far right) of The Davenport Companies congratulate the organizations chosen as beneficiaries for the 2017 Seaside Le Mans. (L to R) Pat Kane, Cape Cod Healthcare; Sara Donehey and Angela Cenzalli, Special Olympics MA; Ian Ives, MA Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary; Larry Marsland, Lower Cape Outreach Council and Judy Scarafile, Cape Cod & Islands Major Crisis Relief Fund.