The German American Social Club of Cape Coral (GASC) donated proceeds from its long-standing Oktoberfest tradition to numerous charitable organizations at a special ceremony on Saturday.

Though the exact figure is unknown, GASC President Gerhard Veith told the local newspaper Cape-Coral-Daily Breeze he estimated that between $27,000 and $28,000 will make its way into the hands of needy groups such as Hope Hospice and the Mayor's Scholarship Fund.

While not the most successful Oktoberfest, Veith said this year's celebration ranked somewhere "in the top five," with 2004's festival sitting comfortably at number one.

"I think it was right after Hurricane Charley," Veith told the newspaper. "The hurricane came through Aug. 13, and everybody was wrapped up and they needed something to celebrate."

Though Oktoberfest is the club's big-time moneymaker, it uses funds collected year-round from dances and dinners to help make up the bulk of charity donations at the end of the year,the newspaper reported.

Veith has been a member of the GASC for a decade, and has served the first year of a two-year presidential term.

During his time as a member, he said a quarter of a million dollars has been doled out to local organizations, the paper said. During this time, Veith has seen a considerable amount of money donated to local charities.

"Since I have been a member for the last 10 years, we've donated somewhere in the neighborhood of quarter of million," the daily quotes him as saying.

Representatives from the various organizations were on hand Saturday to accept the donations, and the GASC will also inaugurate its new officers, it said.

Organizations to receive donations include the Mayor's Scholarship Fund, Hope Hospice, Cape Coral Historical Society, The Power Squadron, Cape Coral Police Explorers, The Salvation Army, Society for Down Syndrome, an unnamed animal shelter and Make-A-Wish Foundation.