History Fort Lauderdale Honors Florida Panthers at Annual History Makers Fundraiser

History Fort Lauderdale raised more than $60,000 during its 29th annual History Makers fundraiser, held January 8 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. The event honored the Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025, for their impact on the city and their contributions to historic preservation and community development.

WSVN’s Donovan Campbell, Florida Panthers COO Rob Stevenson, History Fort Lauderdale’s Erin Farrington Finlen and Bob Denison

The fundraiser brought together hundreds of community members and sports fans to support History Fort Lauderdale and its mission to preserve local heritage and promote historical education. The event was hosted by WSVN 7 sportscaster Donovan Campbell and presented by Alligator Ron and Ali Bergeron, Miles and Tara Forman, and the Murphy Family Charitable Trust.

Commissioner Ben Sorensen and Anna Sorensen with Stanley C. Panther and the Florida Panthers Dance Team

Guests began the evening with a guided VIP tour led by Florida Panthers Vice President of Programming and Development Keith Fine, who shared the team’s role in the redevelopment of War Memorial Auditorium. The program also included a cocktail reception, silent auction, and a meet-and-greet with Florida Panthers alumni Serge Payer and Peter J. Worrell. Attendees viewed team memorabilia and items from the Wayne Huizenga collection, which has been donated to History Fort Lauderdale.

Genia Duncan Ellis and Matt Sacco

During the program, previous History Maker honoree Bob Denison of Denison Yachting spoke about the importance of the Panthers’ investment in local infrastructure and the role of cultural institutions in educating future generations.

Wayne Pittman, Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman, Burnadette Norris-Weeks

City officials including Mayor Dean Trantalis, Vice Mayor John Herbst, and several city commissioners presented Florida Panthers Chief Operating Officer Rob Stevenson with a commemorative plaque recognizing the team’s contributions to sportsmanship, philanthropy and historic preservation. Mayor Trantalis also issued a proclamation naming the Florida Panthers as this year’s History Makers.

Florida Panthers Alumnus Serge Payer, Pia Dahlquist, Florida Panthers Alumnus Peter J. Worrell

According to the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, the Panthers have generated at least $110 million in local economic impact over the past two seasons. The organization has invested $100 million in facilities including the Baptist Health ICEPLEX and the restoration of War Memorial Auditorium. Since the 2016–17 season, the Florida Panthers Foundation has donated more than $8 million to South Florida nonprofits.

Steve Hudson, Harley Miller, Gayle Butler, Jesse Miller

Additional details about History Fort Lauderdale and its programs are available on the organization’s website.

By ML Staff. Photos: History Fort Lauderdale.