{"id":418182,"date":"2026-01-20T17:03:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/418182\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T17:03:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:03:24","slug":"history-fort-lauderdale-honors-florida-panthers-raises-60k-for-heritage-preservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/418182\/","title":{"rendered":"History Fort Lauderdale Honors Florida Panthers, Raises $60K for Heritage Preservation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Boca Raton, FL \u2013 January 20, 2026 \u2013 Hundreds of community supporters and sports enthusiasts celebrated the\u00a0Florida Panthers, back-to-back 2024 & 2025 Stanley Cup Champions, at\u00a0History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s<\/a>\u00a029th annual History Makers fundraiser at War Memorial Auditorium on January 8.\u00a0\u00a0Presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust\u00a0and hosted by\u00a0WSVN 7 Sportscaster Donovan Campbell, the History Makers event raised more than $60,000 for History Fort Lauderdale and its mission of preserving our collective heritage, promoting historical literacy, and fostering a sense of pride and stewardship for the vibrant tapestry of our region\u2019s history. The yearly event recognizes individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the growth of the City of Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>WSVN\u2019s Donovan Campbell, Florida Panthers COO Rob Stevenson, History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Erin Farrington Finlen And Bob Denison<\/p>\n

The evening began with an exclusive VIP tour by\u00a0Florida Panthers Vice President, Programming & Development, Keith Fine\u00a0who shared a history of the team\u2019s emotional journey toward redeveloping War Memorial Auditorium. All guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, a meet and greet with\u00a0Florida Panthers alumni players Serge Payer\u00a0and\u00a0Peter J. Worrell\u00a0plus the opportunity to view Florida Panthers memorabilia and other collectibles from the exclusive Wayne Huizenga collection, which was donated to History Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

A synchronized stage presentation included previous History Maker honoree\u00a0Bob Denison of Denison Yachting\u00a0who shared his passionfor the team\u2019s redevelopment efforts and reinforced the importance of keeping cultural institutions like History Fort Lauderdale essential and fundamental for the education of future generations.<\/p>\n

City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis,\u00a0Vice Mayor\/Commissioner John Herbst,\u00a0Commissioner Steve Glassman,\u00a0Commissioner Ben Sorensen,\u00a0Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman, and\u00a0History Fort Lauderdale Board Chair Erin Farrington Finlen\u00a0presented\u00a0Florida Panthers COO Rob Stevenson\u00a0with a memorial plaque commemorating the team\u2019s unmatched legacy of award-winning sportsmanship, hometown corporate philanthropy, civic responsibility and historic preservation efforts. Mayor Trantalis also presented a proclamation, recognizing the team as this year\u2019s History Makers for their community investment, philanthropy and overall excellence.<\/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 ICEPLEX with two NHL-regulation sized ice rinks and the recently revitalized historic War Memorial Auditorium, a 44,000-square-foot multipurpose concert venue. The Florida Panthers Foundation has donated over $8 million to local nonprofits in the South Florida community since the 2016-17 season.<\/p>\n

History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s 29th\u00a0annual History Makers was presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust and was sponsored by Baptist Health, City of Fort Lauderdale, Denison Yachting, Hudson Family Foundation, FPL, Allini Water Filters, CBI, Cathy & James Donnelly Charitable Fund, Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, Hooper Construction, Inc., Miller Construction Company, Core Construction, Pier Sixty-Six, Wards Marine Electric, Waste Management, The Kelley Law Firm, Gulf Stream Distillery, Tarpon River Brewery, Revolution Live, Primo Liquors, Bob Golden, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, 41 North and\u00a0Sun Sentinel\u00a0Media Group.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0<\/a>more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit\u00a0historyfortlauderdale.org<\/a>.<\/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: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, the new state-of-the-art practice facility Baptist Health IcePlex in 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 veterans affairs, children\u2019s health and\u202feducation, raising awareness for the\u202fendangered Florida panther and growing youth hockey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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 FTLWarMemorial.com. Follow us on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook at @ftlwarmemorial.\u00a0<\/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<\/a>. 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

\"\"<\/a>The Hon. Robert Lee, Erin Farrington Finlen, City Of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Genia Duncan Ellis And Matt Sacco<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Wayne Pittman, Commissioner Pamela Beasley Pittman, Burnadette Norris Weeks<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Elizabeth Van Zandt, WSVN\u2019s Donovan Campbell, History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Board Chair Erin Farrington Finlen And Melinda Bowker<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>History Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Ellery Andrews, Melissa Milroy And Ina Lee<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Florida Panthers Alumnus Serge Payer, Pia Dahlquist, Florida Panthers Alumnus Peter J. Worrell<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Rob Kornahrens, Florida Panthers COO Rob Stevenson, Alligator Ron Bergeron<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Steve Hudson, Harley Miller, Gayle Butler, Jesse Miller<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Commissioner Ben Sorensen And Anna Sorensen With Stanley C. Panther And The Florida Panthers Dance Team<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Florida Panthers VP Keith Fine And Rickelle Williams<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n