Grand Harbor residents see the value of good old-fashioned philanthropy in the form of time and money, and their investment is paying off for those less fortunate in Indian River County.
Some 350 households involved in the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program have embraced the philosophy that giving is every bit as nice as receiving. This year its members raised $300,000, which represents an unprecedented year for the program.
At the annual benefit dinner last Wednesday evening at the Grand Harbor Golf Club, 135 members and sponsors mingled over cocktails, dined and enjoyed a brief program marking the groundbreaking year. The money they raised this year was awarded to 27 local non-profit agencies, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $50,000.
Bill Hamlin, president of the board of directors of Outreach, said the bump in generosity likely stems from a greater awareness of the needs of people in the community and the role Outreach plays, as well as an improved economy.
“It doesn’t hurt when the stock market is up,” he said.
The Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program is a member-driven organization developed and funded by Grand Harbor residents, who contribute all moneys raised directly to those in need.
Their most significant gift this year was a $50,000 grant to the Treasure Coast Food Bank to help families struggling to put food on the table.
Over the last couple of years, Outreach has also put an emphasis on its neighbor to the west, Gifford. This year, $15,000 was awarded to The Gifford Youth Activity Center. The Samaritan Center for Homeless Families, located in Gifford, also received a grant for $8,500.
“This is an opportunity for people inside this gated community to get outside the gates and interact and give to those in the county who need help,” said Doug Sweeny, vice president of philanthropy.
Since its foundation in 2002, Outreach has assisted numerous non-profit agencies in Indian River County, awarding $2.4 million for a variety of causes.
Grants are based on one of the following categories – Life’s Essentials (Food, Clothing, Shelter); Health and Family Stability Services; Education, Child and Senior Care; and Enrichment.
The program sprouted from the successful sale of a cookbook assembled by Grand Harbor residents, with proceeds being donated to various community-wide efforts. That initial fundraising effort planted the seed and one year later the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program was incorporated.
About 40 percent of the Grand Harbor residents are involved in the program, which kicks off its fundraising season each November with an annual “Evening of Giving.”
Other non-profit agencies that have benefited from the Outreach Program include: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Child Care Resources of IRC, Children’s Home Society, Scholarship Foundation of IRC (Dollars for Scholars), Education Foundation/Sneaker Exchange, Exchange Club CASTLE, Food Pantry of IRC, Guardians for New Futures, Harvest Food & Outreach Center, Hibiscus Children’s Center, Homeless Family Center, IRC Habitat for Humanity, Literacy Services of IRC, SafeSpace, and the Salvation Army.
