St. Matthew’s House kicks off its biggest fundraiser of the year

The Naples Automotive Experience started its engine on Thursday night with an event at the Naples Airport to help raise money for St. Matthew’s House.

St. Matthew’s House said the event brings in more money than any other fundraiser it puts on, and this year there is something new.

It is a benefit auction that is being held on Friday. Classic and collector cars be will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with some of the money going to St. Matthew’s House.

Bill Curry, Vice President of Development for St. Matthew’s House, said, “we’ll raise is $800,000 this weekend.”

It is a four-day event that will provide year-round help to those in our community who need it most.

Curry said, “you get a chance to take the glamour and the glitz of cars and jets and helicopters and combine it with the grit of St. Matthew’s House and the day-to-day work that we do serving our neighbors.”

St. Matthew’s House brings to light a population often kept in the dark, helping those hungry, homeless, or caught in the disease of addiction.

Tom O’Riordan says, “I was personally touched by a couple people I met who went through Justin’s Place. One of them came to me at my country club and said I saved his life, and that has touched me for so long you can’t imagine.”

O’Riordan says those personal relationships drive him to do more for St. Matthew’s House. This year he’s the brains behind the new partnership expected to rev up proceeds.

“We started with just a car show 18 years ago we had 20 cars, we raised $200.”

The Ferrari Club of America Naples chapter and Saratoga Motorcar Auctions are teaming up for the inaugural Naples Motorcar Auction.

The auction starts at noon on Friday at Ultimate Garages of Naples.

On Saturday, the event wraps up on 5th avenue with the Cars on 5th car show.

If you want to learn more about this weekend’s events or you want to donate to St. Matthews House, click here.