GOA Scrappy Award
The Be Scrappy Award is given to an individual or group who has made seemingly impossible things possible through sheer willpower, hustle, and ingenuity. The icon for this award is “Scrappy-doo” from the old Scooby Doo shows – with his ‘Lemmme at em’ adage for fighting the good fight to take care of what’s most important. GOA takes our cost efficiency ratios seriously like cost / $ raised and program ratio. Scrappy award recipients consistently deliver impressive efficiency ratios because they are working hard to get items donated or discounted, so we are spending less to do more. They inspire us with their tireless work ethic and can-do attitude.
2024 GOA Scrappy Awardee – Gary Dittrich
Gary (far right) at the 2022 Dawn to Dusk
The 2024 Be Scrappy Award recipient is Gary Dittrich – recognizing his involvement in supporting Gift of Adoption Florida since 2020 as a donor, volunteer, and ambassador.
Gary’s first ‘scrappy’ move was to establish a creative giving program called “MAP: Making Adoptions Possible.” It’s inspired by The Red Thread proverb that says an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break. The Program’s purpose is to help children find the families they’re destined to join – without spending any money on overhead costs.
Over the past 4 years he has done just that – engaging nearly 100 donors and raising nearly $25,000 to complete the adoptions of 9 children.
Three years ago, Gary convinced his friend in CT to allow 2 GOA golfers to join his annual Dawn to Dusk Golf Marathon. The Marathon is a way for serious and hearty golfers to raise money for their favorite cause by securing donation pledges per hole golfed from dawn to dusk. Over the three years of the event, this innovative fundraising program has raised more than $75,000 for the FL chapter and the CT chapter combined. In addition, the national office “borrowed” the concept and has raised $8900 in the two years there has been a Dawn to Dusk in Chicago.
And finally, Gary has demonstrated his can-do approach to GOA by leveraging his contacts in the ‘moving industry’ leaving no stone unturned – to support GOA licensing grants that will underwrite the costs of relatives moving into new homes so that they are able to continue the path of adopting family members out of foster care.
Gary’s accomplishments remind us that you do not have to formally join a board to make a significant impact as an ambassador and fundraiser.