The winner of the Luncheon Pilot Club of Danville, VA’s 3rd annual fundraiser, “People, Pets & Pilot” is Billy Hardy and his dog, Luci.  Each year, Luncheon Danville Pilots stage an increasingly-popular fund raising event that draws attention to their volunteer work while helping those with brain-related disorders and diseases within their community.

Here’s how it works:

The club asks Danville citizens to submit a photo of their beloved pet, or one featuring both owner and pet. Deadlines are set for submission. Photos are enlarged and displayed prominently at a designated site in Danville, where locals can stop by and “vote” for their favorite photo by submitting a donation to help the club support its brain-related service projects. The photo garnering the most votes wins a grand prize, presented at a Pilot lunch meeting. Last year’s prize was a basket filled with $350 worth of donated goodies.

2015-2016 Luncheon Danville Fund Raising Chair Melanie Vaughn says this project is so successful, it has become the members’ “signature” fund raiser. All contributions stay within the Danville community, and the event generates local press recognition for the club.

(photo #1):

The winning photo for 2015, “Billy and Luci,” taken by Danville photographer Dana Yeatts. (courtesy of Dana Yeatts Photography, Danville, VA)

(Photo #2):

Luncheon Danville Event Chair Monica Karavanic and Melanie Vaughan present the 2015 Grand Prize to Joy
and Billy Hardy.