WE IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY!

Proceeds from the Amazing Race for Charity are received by the LifeStream Foundation in support of The Open Door, a homeless drop-in center in Eustis that provides showers, meals, clothing and laundry services, as well as assistance with applying for benefits and employment.  The Open Door assists clients with obtaining social security cards and Florida identification cards.  It allows clients to use the facility address to receive mail and provides access to computer and telephone service.  The Open Door provides referrals to primary and behavioral health professionals within LifeStream’s continuum of care, as well as coordinate services with other local nonprofit, church and government social service agencies. Funding supports the direct services of The Open Door program. 

B.E. Thompson, Associate Vice President, 

Community Relations/Government Affairs, LifeStream Behavioral Center

 The money provided to Hand in Hand Lake County Inc. through proceeds of The Amazing Race for Charity has allowed us to provide addiction recovery services to those who financially otherwise could not afford recovery.

These funds allow us an opportunity to return individuals to their families as productive members of society. This also reduces the impact on our community by lowering police calls, unpaid hospital visits, and overcrowding in our jails.

The Amazing Race for Charity is a fun and friendly way for us to raise funds that make our community better. 

David Douglas, Executive Director,

Hand in Hand Lake County Inc.

In the past two years, Companions for Courage has used the money from the Amazing Race for Charity to buy coloring books. The coloring books remind the children they are safe and that the crime committed against them was not their fault. We are also able to buy stuffed dogs for the children to take into the witness stand with them while they testify, if the judge does not allow a therapy dog. We have helped children in Eustis and other areas of central Florida be brave.  Joanne Hart-Rittenhouse, 

President, Companions for Courage

After our 2023 race, Joanne said this:

 We had a wonderful time! Thank you for including us in this awesome event! 

We have used the money for free spay/neuter certificates for the community, and we have helped people whose pets have needed vet care and they couldn't afford it. 

Angie Klein, Executive Director, 

Humane Society of Lake County

It has helped to keep our property open. Costs have increased for everything---from diesel fuel for the tractor and chain saws to maintain trails, to education equipment for programs, to electric costs and even toilet paper. Visitors to TLNC, including many Eustis residents and Eustis snowbirds along with visitors from outside of Eustis and even Lake County, have increased their visitations and the length of time them stay at TLNC. Visitors from outside of Eustis are directed to go to Eustis for other recreational amenities, shopping and dining helping to drive business to Eustis. With increased use, we have increased maintenance costs for trails, boardwalk, foot bridges, and janitorial. This past year, TLNC was forced to re-level a portion of its main foot bridge and we always struggle with maintaining our foot bridges and boardwalk in a very wet environment. It sounds mundane but often this funding has been used to meet ever increasing costs to do business as a natural area and nature center. 

 Eileen Tramontana, Executive Director, 

Trout Lake Nature Center

We would love to get your feedback on how the funds you received as a contributing charity helped. Email to AmazingRaceCharity@gmail.com.