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Executives from the globally recognized Michael J. Fox Foundation were in Danville yesterday to recognize the Danville d'Elegance for its extensive fundraising support for Parkinson's research and patient care. The Danville organization is all volunteer.

"Team Fox is honored to benefit directly from the hard work, passion and commitment that the Danville d'Elegance Foundation exhibits year after year with this event," said Katy Reitz, director of Team Fox.

"I have had the privilege to see first-hand that this event is top notch and deserves the recognition as being one of our most successful fundraisers."

Last evening's event, held at the home of co-founders Christine and Jim Edlund, included an inspirational presentation by young Sam Fox, the Berkeley graduate that ran the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico to raise awareness and funds in honor of his mom, who has Parkinsons Disease.

The Danville program has raised more than $1.3 million for the Parkinson's cause in its nearly eight years. It hosts a weekend of charitable automotive-related events including its annual Danville Concours d'Elegance, which has remained "the little Concours that could."

Traditionally splitting its proceeds between the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale and the Team Fox arm of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Danville d'Elegance raised and contributed more than $330,000 in 2011.

At an awards ceremony last month in New York City, where the Michael J. Fox Foundation is based, the Danville group earned the No. 3 spot in the organization's "Top 10" and was recognized within the annual "Team Fox MVP Awards Honoring Highest 2011 Fundraisers."

The yearly Danville program is one in which car collectors, automotive enthusiasts and the local community gather together to have fun, and support the cause. This year's event will be held Sept. 15-16.

The schedule includes the following:

· Saturday, Sept. 15 Exotic automobiles will take to the backroads of Napa and Sonoma, with lunch at the Cardinale Winery

· Saturday evening, Sept. 15 The Blackhawk Museum will be the scene of the "Cruisin' Toward a Cure: Wouldn't It Be Nice - to Cure Parkinson" casual gala dinner with silent and live auctions to the sounds of David Martins House Party.

· Sunday, Sept. 16 Danville's Hartz Avenue transforms into the Danville Concours d'Elegance, with a large assembly of classic, vintage and exotic pleasure and racing vehicles displayed by their owners.

Admission to the Sunday Danville d'Elegance Concours is free for visitors, though donations are encouraged, and registration is currently open for both the Saturday "Tour d'Elegance" and to display vehicles at the Sunday Concours.

"I hope Danville d'Elegance serves as a blueprint for others who have a passion to turn cool cars into a cause," director Reitz said.

Learn more at www.danville-delegance.org.

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