LAKELAND, Fla. – A charitable electric car marathon from Florida to New York City reached the finish line on Friday, raising more than $12,000 to benefit Florida Polytechnic University scholarships and men’s health research.
Florida Polytechnic Foundation Board members Dr. Sijo Parekattil and Rob Kincart, along with Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, drove 1,100 miles from Clermont to Manhattan from June 12-13 as part of the Drive for Men’s Health, a fundraising event that featured a pair of futuristic Tesla vehicles. The three held live web chats along the way, stopping only to charge the vehicles.
Half the proceeds raised for the drive will help to fund research for men’s health, and the other half will help pay for scholarships for Florida Polytechnic University’s inaugural class of 500 students. A matching challenge grant to the University foundation that is under way will, in effect, double the amount of cash donations for the scholarships.
“The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation is pleased to receive these funds, which will help further STEM education and cultivate the next generation of advanced technology leaders,” said Maggie Mariucci, interim Foundation director.
The drive started at South Lake Hospital in Clermont on Thursday and ended at the Tesla showroom in Manhattan on Friday morning.
The fundraising drive was held during Men’s Health Week, June 9-15, with Dr. Parekattil and Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt using Google Glass to talk about men’s health along the way.
To learn more about the Drive for Men’s Health visit https://www.facebook.com/drive4men
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.drive4menshealth.com or phone 747-777-6146. The email is info@ramsesweb.org.