Barrett-Jackson’s first-ever yearlong charitable initiative – Driven Hearts – has continued long past its first year and helped bring awareness about heart health and the American Heart Association (AHA) to millions worldwide. Currently celebrating its fifth anniversary, Driven Hearts moved into the fast lane back in 2018 at the Scottsdale Auction.
The initiative was spearheaded by Barrett-Jackson’s Vice President of Brand Strategy and Chief Philanthropy Officer Carolyn Jackson. Part of Carolyn’s inspiration for the Driven Hearts initiative came from losing beloved members in the collector car community to heart-related issues. One such member was Dave Ressler, who exemplified the philanthropic spirit of car collectors and contributed much to Barrett-Jackson’s charitable efforts on the auction block over the years.
To honor Ressler’s memory and help the Driven Hearts cause, Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, donated a pristine white 35th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette to be sold to benefit the AHA during the 2018 Scottsdale Auction. The special car had been gifted by Ressler at the 2006 Scottsdale Auction to Craig and his mother, Nellie. While the emotional sale raised much-needed funds, it also inspired Darrell and Charmaigne Pullen to donate an identical 35th Anniversary Corvette to raise even more awareness for the cause at the 2018 Northeast Auction.
The 2018 Driven Hearts initiative culminated with the 59th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball – one of the nation’s largest and most anticipated galas benefitting the American Heart Association, which Carolyn chaired in 2018. Carolyn’s efforts were further recognized when in 2019 she received the American Heart Association Award of Meritorious Achievement, the highest award given to a layperson by the AHA.
The legacy of Driven Hearts lives on in 2023 and has inspired an incredible number of people to make positive lifestyle changes to improve their heart health. The initiative also resulted in the creation of an official Barrett-Jackson license plate that allows Arizona drivers to display their passion for collector cars on their vehicles and to know they’re helping promote heart health awareness. A portion of each plate fee goes to Barrett-Jackson Charities, earmarked for the AHA. Everyone with a vehicle registered in Arizona is eligible to order the special plate through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Educating people about heart disease and stroke is an integral part of Barrett-Jackson auctions, with prominent on-site messaging that has included each collector car crossing the auction block being adorned with a special license plate featuring the words “Driven” and FAST to call attention to the initiative. Additionally, a large sign displaying the AHA’S “FAST” acronym is prominently featured at the auctions to remind people of the symptoms of a stroke: Facial drooping, Arm tingling, Speech impairment and Time to call 911.
In addition to the awareness on display at the auctions, #DrivenHearts was also prominently featured on Santino Ferrucci’s helmet during the running of the 106th Indianapolis 500 in May 2022 while he was behind the wheel of the No. 23 DRR Palermo’s/Barrett-Jackson Chevrolet race car.
To further celebrate five years of the Driven Hearts campaign, Carolyn has set out to make a difference in the lives of many throughout 2023 with a new “Know Your Numbers” heart health awareness initiative. This new campaign will shine a spotlight on the 64th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball in November 2023, where Craig and Carolyn Jackson will serve as Honorary Chairs.
“It is an honor to have been named an Honorary Chairperson along with my husband Craig at the 64th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball,” Carolyn said. “The ball is an incredible event that continues to raise awareness for the American Heart Association year after year. I am so humbled by the impact Driven Hearts has had on bringing awareness to heart health and the AHA. It is profoundly rewarding to watch the automotive community come together and support such an important cause. I encourage everyone to come along for this important ride as we share this message about knowing your heart health numbers.”
#DRIVEN #HEARTS #MARKS #ANNIVERSARY
