Vince Carter’s 22nd Annual Charity Gala-A Huge Success

For 22 years Vince Carter and his Embassy of Hope Foundation have been hosting community members at the annual Vince Carter Charity Gala. On August 10, 2019 at the Ocean Center Daytona Beach, friends, family, and community leaders came together to recognize the outstanding work of Joyce Cusack and Bobby Thigpen. They were the recipients of the 2019 Embassy of Hope Foundation Hall of Fame Award. “Joyce Cusack has sacrificed a major portion of her life to serving others as an elected official, and Bobby Thigpen works tirelessly to help organizations and individuals who need help,” said Carter, former NBA All-Star and member of the Atlanta Hawks. In addition, the Embassy of Hope Foundation recognized Joseph “Joey” Smith, a student at Hinson Middle School, with its Young Philanthropist Award for his outstanding dedication and support for the foundation’s work of helping those less fortunate. Carter’s comment, “Joey could run our food basket giveaway at Christmas, because he has been volunteering since he was in elementary school.”

“This gala is one of my favorite fundraising events,” said Carter. “It is an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy themselves and help us raise money for local programs within our community.” The gala, a black-tie optional affair, included entertainment by MPiRE, plenty of food, recognition of the foundation’s scholarship winners, and lots of fun. There was a silent auction of numerous gift baskets donated by friends and members of the Embassy of Hope Board of Directors, as well as exquisite jewelry available for purchase from J’aime Bijoux LLC, wholesale private jeweler Jaime Yeomans.

In addition to the dancing, auctions, and camaraderie, attendees enjoyed “off the cuff” vintage Vince Carter comments about his career, which is drawing to a close, his continuing desire to help others, his passion for helping young people see their potential, and his dreams for a better life for those less fortunate. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” said one of the gala attendees.

Proceeds benefit children and family programs and the Embassy of Hope “Believing in Your Dreams” Scholarship Fund. Since its inception in 1998, Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation has donated over 1.9 million dollars in the United States and Canada.