The Charlottesville 29

Kindness is contagious.

Exhibit A: The Charlottesville 29 Restaurant Auctions. What began last year as auctions of once-in-life-time experiences at restaurants of The Charlottesville 29 for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank ended up spawning so many acts of generosity that the auctions became known as the “gift that keeps on giving.”

Nearly a year after bidding closed, that continues. After much schedule juggling, one of the most sought-after auction experiences was held last night – Burgers with Bronco, a private dinner for the auction winner at Citizen Burger Bar with University of Virginia Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall and his entire coaching staff. In classic Hoo form, the auction was won by UVa’s second all-time leading tackler, Charles McDaniel, now President and CEO of Hilldrup Moving and Storage, with a bid of $3,500. Then, the runner-up turned around and gave $500 more to the food bank, just for the sake of kindness.

As if that was not enough, more benevolence came on the eve of the event. The auction prize was to include a professional photo shoot, but unfortunately a prior commitment – a fireman’s shift – prevented the original photographer from attending. Never mind – another generous Charlottesvillian to the rescue. Acclaimed photographer Tom McGovern happily volunteered to step in.

Thank you, Tom, for capturing these great images of the special event. And thank you to The McDaniel Family, Coach Mendenhall and his staff, and Citizen Burger Bar for their generosity. This one meal created more than 16,000 meals for the area’s hungry.

Charlie McDaniel and UVa Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall