Three wheelin’ teams put the pedal to the metal during an inaugural Torchbearer Trike Wars fundraiser at Sailfish Brewing Vero Beach to benefit United Way of Indian River County. The event’s Grand Prix sponsor was Gould Cooksey Fennell.

Traffic reached a complete standstill on Flamevine, where the hay bale-lined racecourse was set up, and race fans lined the street. Sailfish Brewing, Sol Mar and the Cellar ensured that fans and competitors could quench their thirst during the block party, which included live music, food and family-friendly activities.

“We wanted this new fundraising strategy to get people more involved and engaged in a fun way. We also wanted to make our thank-you event more inclusive, more local,” said Meredith Egan, UWIRC CEO.

“We wanted to utilize some small businesses. We’re really trying to make a concerted effort around our Small Business United group to emphasize some of those folks,” she added.

John Moore and Jeff Petersen partnered as emcees for the event, providing as much mayhem on the stage as in the streets. Egan kept a sharp eye on the racecourse as she raised the checkered flag and teams pedaled as fast as they could in heats of three-person relays.

“This was our thank-you event to the community for participating and supporting United Way throughout the year,” said Egan. “This was also a way to incentivize some of our professionals in the community to get engaged in a more fun way.”

To be eligible to compete in the Trike Wars, workplaces needed to achieve Torchbearer level status, which is the pledge of $12,000 in employee and corporate donations.

“This gave some of the groups an incentive to raise more and also a way for them to do some team building amongst themselves and maybe put their CEO or managing partner on a trike for a good cause,” said Egan.

“Teams are already planning for next year,” she added.

Teams from Dean Mead Minton and Moore; Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A.; Indian River Sheriff’s Office; Merrill Lynch; Northern Trust; Publix; and the School District of Indian River County gave it their all this time – leaving rubber, blood, sweat and tears on the pavement.

After three heats, Team Publix, the largest single donor in the county, took home the trophy.

“Even though this is our thank-you event, the campaign is not over,” added Egan, adding that the need is more essential than ever.

For more information, visit unitedwayirc.org.

Photos by Mary Schenkel