On September 28, 2024, the San Diego Automotive Museum’s annual sold-out gala, “THE Party in the Park…Supercharged,” transformed the Museum into a night of elegance, excitement, and purpose, raising over $840,000 to support the Museum and its IGNITE Academy while enjoying an al fresco dinner beneath the California night sky. The evening also honored Sharon and Skeets Dunn† of Rancho Santa Fe, whose dedication to the Museum and the automotive world continues to inspire.
Many people helped make this event a roaring success – attendees; donors; sponsors, including Susan, Bill, and Ted Hoehn of Hoehn Family of Dealerships, The Warren-Neely Foundation, Jim & Jill Berg and much too numerous to name; co-chairs Reena Horowitz, Jill Berg, and Stephanie Brown; the SDAM board and event committee; and the entire community.
Beyond the evening’s sparkle, “THE Party in the Park” also marked a major milestone: the announcement of the Museum’s ambitious capital campaign. The San Diego Automotive Museum is set to embark on a bold building expansion – transforming from 17,000-square-feet of exhibit space into a 52,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. More than just additional space, the expansion is an opportunity for the Museum to reimage the entire Museum – creating a world-class destination for automotive lovers and lifelong learners alike.
A cornerstone of this reimagination of the Museum is IGNITE Academy, the Museum’s flagship educational program that empowers youth to thrive in the automotive industry. IGNITE – standing for Inspire, Guide, Network, Internship, Train, and Educate – offers young people hands-on training, mentorship, and a pathway to professional careers. Through partnerships with industry leaders, the Academy equips students with technical skills and insights to fuel lasting success.
In a landmark moment for IGNITE, the Museum recently acquired a dedicated building in Santee to serve as the Academy’s permanent home. This new campus will allow IGNITE to serve even more students, diversify its programs, and offer an expansive range of workshops. The San Diego Automotive Museum is investing significantly in the region’s youth, meeting the demand for skilled professionals while cultivating a passion for automotive craftsmanship and innovation.
As the Museum approaches the end of an extraordinary year, it invites patrons to make a similar investment in its Fuel Bright Futures campaign. With a goal of raising $50,000 by December 31, 2024, the Museum aims to broaden the impact of the IGNITE Academy. This year alone, IGNITE has reached more underserved youth than ever. One of the many success stories to emerge from IGNITE is that of Omar, a young man whose training in car detailing through the Academy led him to start his own business. Today, Omar serves a growing clientele with confidence and pride, embodying the transformative impact IGNITE can have on a young person’s life.
The San Diego Automotive Museum’s transformation is fueled by the community’s generosity and belief in its mission. In addition to the opportunity to support IGNITE, donors also have the chance to become part of the Museum’s legacy with naming opportunities for both the Museum expansion and the new IGNITE – Santee Campus.
For more information or naming opportunities, please contact Sharon Smith at (619) 987-8020.
To make a donation or learn more about how you can be part of this incredible journey, please visit www.sdautomuseum.org/fuel-bright-futures.
