After a charity event at Suffolk’s downtown Hilton to ring in the New Year met with success, Cover 3 Foundation plans to make it an annual affair.

While the amount of money raised was yet to be tallied, foundation founder and CEO Greg Scott said “we’re looking forward to next year” after “we had a wonderful time” at the New Year’s Eve celebration, which was viewed as a pilot to gauge whether the concept would work.

The event included special guest appearances, food, dancing, music, prizes, laughter, and a photographer on hand to capture the memories, Scott said.

Proceeds will benefit the foundation’s C3 Kids Meals program, which feeds thousands of at-risk youths every day in Franklin and the surrounding area. The current number cited is 3,000, in fact.

“I feel very good about” the event’s success, said Scott, a retired NFL player. “We had 40 to 45 people, which is a really good crowd for the first time.

“We are grateful that the Hilton Inn approached us for the idea. We are looking forward to it being bigger and better next year.”

Scott struggled to elect a single highlight from the celebration into the wee hours. “A lot of people were really smiling and having a good time,” he said.

Scott also thanked event sponsors Hotchkiss-Duck Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Mike Duman Auto Sales in Franklin, Aicid Records and the Obici Healthcare Foundation.