Lancaster, PA. - Clark Associates once again held its annual Derby Day fundraiser at The Farm at Eagles Ridge on Saturday evening, May 4, 2024. This year's event marked the 12th anniversary of Derby Day and raised $2.2 million.
Derby Day is the company’s signature fundraising event with a weekend full of unique experiences involving Clark Associates business partners, local community members, and philanthropists in the non-profit community. All proceeds from the event go to the Clark Associates Charitable Foundation and are distributed to a variety of local charities and educational foundations.
Derby Day began in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation through the creative energy of Beth Clark, wife of company founder and chairman Fred Clark. The event quickly grew in scope and capacity. With the dedicated efforts of an employee-led Derby Day Committee, revenues have grown from a first-year total of $25,000 to this year’s grand total of $2.2 million.
This year’s event saw an increase in participating nonprofits, with 24 recipients, compared to 19 in 2023. Organizations benefiting from Derby Day proceeds include those that help children and adults with disabilities, provide youth education, preserve the environment, protect at-risk youth, implement programs for homeless populations, fight food insecurity, and assist war refugees. Watch this video to hear from some of the organizations that benefitted from the 2024 Derby Day event:
Over 300 tickets were purchased for the event, and participants embraced the tradition and style of the Kentucky Derby while waiting for “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" to be broadcast live throughout the venue. Attendees received entertainment from the eclectic sounds of The Cat’s Pajamas while enjoying features such as the traditional hat contest emceed by WGAL News 8 reporter Anne Shannon. Guests also took part in complimentary mint juleps, a cigar bar, bourbon and rosé tasting, horse bets, and games.
Derby Day's growth would not be possible without detailed preparation, so planning for the 2025 event has already begun. Clark Associates Charitable Foundation Director, Mike Thornton, commented, "Another year, another outstanding job by the Derby Day Event Committee and our employee volunteers! Their efforts make Derby Day a top destination for our vendor guests and one of the region's most successful fundraisers.”
"This success allows the foundation to support more nonprofits than ever before. Beneficiaries included established organizations like Water Street Mission and the Food Hub, along with newcomers like the Bench Mark Program for at-risk youth, Lancaster Education Foundation, and the Discovery Corner Preschool. The foundation looks forward to seeing the impact of these donations on the Lancaster community and hopes to break their giving record in 2025."
About Clark Associates, Inc.
Clark Associates is a privately held company headquartered in Lancaster, PA, and has been recognized as one of Central Pennsylvania's fastest-growing companies as well as Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine's 2015 Dealer of the Year.
Employing over 7,000 people, Clark’s multiple divisions and branches in distribution, sales, and technology serve a variety of commercial foodservice customers nationwide. For more information on our business and history, please visit www.clarkinc.biz.