2026 Drive for Life Raises $1.5 Million for Charity with help from Carson Hocevar & Pat Fitzgerald

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Drive for Life Foundation celebrated 44 years of giving in a big way by raising $1.5 million for charity during its Drive for Life Foundation Gala on Thursday, September 24th at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center.

The event brought together business leaders, sponsors, community members and special guests for an evening dedicated to supporting the American Cancer Society and local charitable organizations that provide critical resources and services throughout the community.

"The success of this year's Gala belongs to the entire community," said Aaron Zeigler, president of Zeigler Auto Group and a presenting sponsor of the Drive for Life Foundation Gala.

"We are grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and guest who helped make it possible. For 44 years, this event has demonstrated the generosity of West Michigan, and tonight was another powerful example of that spirit."

The evening featured MSU football coach Pat Fitzgerald as the special guest speaker and Portage native and Zeigler-sponsored NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar as a celebrity guest.

Fitzgerald, a former standout linebacker at Northwestern and two-time consensus All-American, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Before becoming head football coach for the MSU Spartans, Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as Northwestern's head coach, compiling 110 victories, the most in school history. He led the Wildcats to 10 bowl appearances, two Big Ten West Division titles and five AP Top 25 finishes.

Hocevar, who was born and raised in Portage, began racing at age seven and went on to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2024. He earned his first Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2026.

Guests at the Gala enjoyed a social cocktail hour, silent auction, live auction and other activities throughout the evening, all supporting the Foundation's charitable mission.

The 44th Annual Drive for Life Foundation Gala was presented by Zeigler Auto Group, Greenleaf Trust, Brown & Brown Dealer Services, Cox Automotive and Huntington National Bank, with additional support from sponsors and community partners.

About the Drive for Life Foundation Gala

For more than four decades, the Drive for Life Gala has brought together business leaders, sponsors and community members for an extraordinary night of giving.

The event debuted in 1982 with a starting ticket price of just $1, raising less than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society. Today, the Drive for Life Gala benefits the American Cancer Society and other local charities, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

For more information visit driveforlifefoundation.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Francis Mariela | 239.273.6976
[email protected]

SOURCE Zeigler Automotive Group