INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Each of us needs someone in our lives who guides us, encourages us, and supports us when things aren’t going as well as they should. Unfortunately, many children don’t have a strong and supportive home environment, and without that gentle mentoring and guidance, life can become pretty difficult to navigate.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided mentors for children in elementary school settings for years. In addition to the traditional “Big Brother/Little Brother” mentoring, the program also provides reading mentors and even mentors to help with voluntary pre-K students to ensure kindergarten readiness. Because of that commitment to the children of St. Lucie County, Big Brothers Big Sisters was honored with the September Dyer Difference Award in St. Lucie County, along with a check for $3,000.
The Indian River County Award and $3,000 check were presented to representatives from The Arc of Indian River County, a group that helps support and empower individuals with special needs who may need assistance and advocacy in order to achieve their life goals, like “Joey.” Joey was a smart, popular and athletic young man with a bright and promising future that was cut short by a traumatic brain injury. Joey, who has no short term memory and a host of other disabilities related to the brain injury, lives in a group home and has friends, a fulfilling life, and a chance to be productive and contributing member of the community.
There are more than 200 individuals like Joey in Indian River County, and their average age is 43 years old. Members of the Dyer Difference Award Selection Committee in Indian River County chose to recognize The Arc of Indian River County because of its mission to help empower Joey and others like him.
Since relocating to the area in 2008, each month, Dyer Chevrolet staff members at Dyer Chevrolet Fort Pierce and Dyer Chevrolet Mazda Subaru in Vero Beach meet to review the applications that have been submitted in their respective counties and select one non-profit organization to receive that month’s recognition and a $3,000 award in each county.
For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations between the two counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community.
For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions.
If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.
