The Plant City Family YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) Strong Leader Award is presented annually to a person whose contributions to the Plant City community echo the YMCA’s commitment to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. On the evening of August 28, nearly 300 people gathered for the award presentation, and to support the YMCA in Hurley’s honor. Donations for the night brought in $50,000.
“Steve Hurley’s dedication to our community is truly inspirational,” Plant City Family YMCA Executive Director, Theresa M Sessions, commented. “The Strong Leader Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies the core values of the YMCA—caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—and who has made a lasting, positive impact on the quality of life in our community. Steve has embodied these qualities through unwavering compassion, care, and relentless generosity. Your legacy of service continues to uplift and inspire those around you. Steve, thank you for being a true leader and a champion for Plant City.”
Hurley graduated from Lakeland High School and graduated from the University of Texas-San Antonio with a business administration degree with concentrations in both finance and management. He began his career working for auto groups in Texas. Hurley transitioned back to Florida in 2008 when he had the opportunity to buy Stingray Chevrolet from a bankruptcy court. Now Stingray is one of the top-performing Chevrolet dealerships in Florida.
Among other organizations, Hurley has served through Unity in the Community and the Plant City Economic Development Corporation. He is most widely known for the annual Stingray Chevrolet Charity Raffle, for which the dealership donates a new Corvette. The winner is announced at the Florida Strawberry Festival. During the 16 years the raffle has been held, it has raised more than $3.6 million, that has gone to different non-profit organizations in Plant City to help underprivileged children and adults.
“Steve is very dedicated, very giving,” Sharon Moody, Treasurer for Unity in the Community, said. “He has a big heart. He believes in this community. He doesn’t like to be recognized. He likes other people to be recognized. It is well deserved for him to get this honor, because it’s overdue.”
Hurley thanked the YMCA Board, his family, and his friends for being there. “We know tonight is really all about the Plant City YMCA,” Hurley said when accepting the award. “It is such a great organization. It does feel kind of strange, but it is so humbling. It’s such an honor to be a part of this community and be recognized like this. I have always believed in serving our Lord, and being a servant leader in my career and in my community. We would never expect to succeed in Plant City without giving back. It’s not hard to do when you consider the community rallies around those who support the community….Yes, we need strong leaders, and I am humbled to be considered for this honor. But the common theme here is that Plant City is like no other community in the way our people come together to support its leaders and make the city a better place to live and work….Our YMCA is great for Plant City, and your support for our YMCA will allow them to continue to have great programs and services benefitting Plant City.”