{"id":34464,"date":"2025-11-05T16:03:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T16:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/34464\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T16:03:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T16:03:10","slug":"history-fort-lauderdale-to-honor-the-florida-panthers-at-29th-annual-history-makers-fundraiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/34464\/","title":{"rendered":"History Fort Lauderdale To Honor The Florida Panthers At 29th Annual History Makers Fundraiser"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photos courtesy of the Florida Panthers<\/p>\n

Back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions to be recognized for their sports legacy, hometown corporate philanthropy, civic responsibility and historic preservation efforts<\/p>\n

History Fort Lauderdale<\/a>, committed to preserving our collective heritage, promoting historical literacy, and fostering a sense of pride and stewardship for the vibrant tapestry of our region\u2019s history, has announced the\u00a0Florida Panthers, back-to-back 2024 & 2025 Stanley Cup Champions,\u00a0as honorees for its\u00a029th\u00a0annual History Makers fundraiser<\/a>\u00a0presented by\u00a0Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust\u00a0set for Thursday, January 8, from 5:30 p.m. \u2013 7:30 p.m., at the newly revitalized War Memorial Auditorium\u00a0(800 NE 8th St., Fort Lauderdale). The yearly History Makers celebration recognizes individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the growth of the City of Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

This high-profile event will include wine and spirits with culinary delights plus guests will enjoy seeing Florida Panthers memorabilia and other collectibles from the exclusive Wayne Huizenga collection, which was donated to History Fort Lauderdale. A VIP ticket offer will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly revitalized War Memorial Auditorium including the Baptist Health\u00a0IcePlex\u00a0(underground\/basement\/ ice making), locker room and other private areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted to announce the Florida Panthers as this year\u2019s esteemed History Makers,\u201d said\u00a0Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. \u201cFor more than three decades, the Florida Panthers have united the sports, business, media and philanthropic communities through their commitment and dedication to excellence. Their stewardship in overseeing the transformation of the historic War Memorial Auditorium into an exciting new entertainment and recreation hub and enhanced time-honored memorial for Broward County\u2019s military veterans is unprecedented.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since taking to the South Florida ice in 1993, the Florida Panthers have established an unmatched legacy of award-winning sportsmanship, economic development, corporate philanthropy and civic responsibility.<\/p>\n

According to the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, the Panthers have impacted the local economy by at least $110 million over the last two seasons during the team\u2019s long playoff runs; a number that is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. As a catalyst for urban growth in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, the Florida Panthers have invested $100 million into the construction of their official practice facility Baptist Health\u00a0IcePlex\u00a0with two NHL-regulation sized ice rinks and the recently revitalized historic War Memorial Auditorium, a 44,000-square-foot multipurpose concert venue. As part of the project, the Panthers renovated all veteran art and monuments around the venue (which has drawn visits from U.S. Presidents and celebrity icons from Buddy Holly to World Boxing Champion H\u00e9ctor Camacho over the decades) including the merchant marine monument outside the venue, the red flags along the exterior walkway which represents soldier art, one plaque representing Broward County veterans that served in the Vietnam War and a second plaque representing those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. Overlooking the main lobby from the top of the wall, patrons will find a soldier statue that was donated in the early 1970\u2019s by Gold Star Mothers which is a group of mothers who lost a child or loved one during the Vietnam War. This statue is now located in a more prominent location inside the lobby and serves as a representation of all Broward County soldiers.<\/p>\n

Philanthropically, the Florida Panthers Foundation is committed to making a positive impact on South Florida community and beyond. The Florida Panthers Foundation was established to benefit the South Florida community by focusing on four priority areas: building the game of hockey for children and youth, supporting health and education initiatives for children, advocating for and supporting veterans\u2019 issues, and raising awareness about the endangered Florida panther. The Foundation fundraises through several events and in-game initiatives that have helped them donate over $8 million to local nonprofits in the South Florida community since the 2016-17 season. The South Florida community can visit\u00a0PanthersFoundation.org<\/a>\u00a0for more information on how to support.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are honored to receive this prestigious recognition from History Fort Lauderdale as we aim to be stewards of our community through meaningful partnerships to make a lasting impact across South Florida,\u201d said Panthers Chief Operating Officer\u00a0Rob Stevenson. \u201cOne of the most important aspects to the revitalization was to preserve the historic 50-year-old legacy of War Memorial Auditorium, elevate the Broward County veteran monuments and provide a first-class experience for guests attending events here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Previous honorees of the History Makers fundraiser have included notable organizations and individuals such as The Miller Family of Miller Construction Company, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Kelley Shanley, Ted Drum and the Drum, Clark and Cox families, Denison Yachting, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the Forman family, \u201cAlligator Ron\u201d Bergeron, City Commissioner Steven Glassman, developer Dev Motwani, H. Wayne Huizenga, Chris Evert and Jimmy Evert,\u00a0South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Winterfest, and Susan and Buddy Lochrie.<\/p>\n

History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s 29th\u00a0annual History Makers is presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust and is sponsored by Hudson Family Foundation, FPL, The Kelley Law Firm, Miller Construction Company, Waste Management,\u00a0Sun-Sentinel\u00a0and Hooper Construction.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $125 each and are available for purchase online at\u00a0https:\/\/historyfortlauderdale.org\/archives\/7467<\/a>. A limited number of VIP tickets will be offered for $250. For sponsorships or more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visithistoryfortlauderdale.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About The Florida Panthers<\/p>\n

The Florida Panthers enter the 2025-26 season as the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, having gone to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past three seasons. The National Hockey League\u2019s southernmost team, the Panthers, have reached the postseason in a club-record six consecutive campaigns. The Panthers operate four facilities in Broward County, Florida:\u00a0Amerant\u00a0Bank Arena in Sunrise, the Panthers\u00a0IceDen\u00a0in Coral Springs, the new state-of-the-art practice facility Baptist Health\u00a0IcePlex\u00a0in Fort Lauderdale, as well as the renovated War Memorial Auditorium, which hosts concerts and events for the South Florida faithful. An organization with deep roots in the community, the Panthers are owned by Vincent J. Viola, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Emphasizing a culture of selfless service both on and off the ice, the Panthers pillar program \u2018Heroes Among Us\u2019 honors a United States military veteran at every game and the Florida Panthers Foundation has four main focuses including\u00a0veterans\u00a0affairs, children\u2019s health and\u202feducation, raising awareness for the\u202fendangered Florida panther and growing youth hockey.<\/p>\n

About War Memorial Auditorium
War Memorial Auditorium is South Florida\u2019s newest premier entertainment destination, located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale while still only minutes away from the city\u2019s scenic beaches. The recently revitalized venue offers 44,000 sq. ft of versatile space with a 3,400-person capacity featuring a general admission floor and premium seated mezzanine level. Originally opened in 1950 and situated in the 93-acre Holiday Park, the venue combines historical significance with modern amenities, including state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. War Memorial Auditorium can host a diverse range of events, from concerts and performances to community gatherings, galas\/dinners, graduations or reunions and more. For more information, visit\u00a0FTLWarMemorial.com<\/a>. Follow us on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook at @ftlwarmemorial.<\/p>\n

History Fort Lauderdale<\/p>\n

Since 1962, History Fort Lauderdale has been\u00a0committed to preserving our collective heritage, promoting historical literacy, and fostering a sense of pride and stewardship for the vibrant tapestry of our region\u2019s history. Through dynamic exhibitions, engaging educational programs, and meaningful community initiatives, we strive to connect individuals of all ages and backgrounds with the stories, artifacts, and experiences that shape our shared past, present, and future.\u00a0Guests to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city\u2019s rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus \u2013 the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida\u2019s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 \u2013 present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints.\u00a0History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Museum tickets are available online at\u00a0HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets<\/a>. History Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. For more information, call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at\u00a0historyfortlauderdale.org<\/a>.\u00a0Follow us on Facebook at\u00a0facebook.com\/ftlhistory<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0on Instagram\u00a0@ftlhistory<\/a>.\u00a0Subscribe to us on YouTube at\u00a0youtube.com\/user\/FTLhistory<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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