Ginny Powers and Jeff Powers [Photo: Kaila Jones]

A community of goodwill leaders, who through their deeds and actions have demonstrated that we are “Better Together,” were honored during the 15th annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Celebration presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Indian River chapter.

With the pandemic in mind, the AFPIR thought to host a Drive-In Celebration at Riverside Park but, on par with a tumultuous 2020, plans were stymied when the park was deemed too wet from recent rains.

A change in venue to the Community Church of Vero Beach turned the celebration into an intimate gathering of honorees, their loved ones, and representatives from nominating nonprofits.

Kerry Bartlett, event chair with Elizabeth Thomason, said it was clear that these committed, philanthropic leaders “are askers, advocates, ambassadors, advisors, amplifiers, agitators, accelerators and allies.”

Shannon McGuire Bowman, current AFPIR president, had the honor of introducing Michael Kint as the recipient of the President’s Award.

Visibly moved, Kint humbly shared his reluctance to accept the rarely presented honor. It was most recently bestowed on the late Alma Lee Loy and Dan K. Richardson – two pillars of philanthropy.

“The President’s Award is a special tribute to an individual or a group who has demonstrated caring, giving and a nurturing philosophy in support of the nonprofit culture in Indian River County,” said Bowman. Kint, CEO of the United Way of IRC, is retiring at the end of the year.

Taking on the role of emcee, Kint provided a snapshot of each of the 25 honored leaders, all of whom had previously been selected as a winner. To embrace this year’s “Better Together” mindset, none were singled out.

Interspersed throughout the ceremony, stories of impact were shared by Kate Maingot, Sabby Hightower and Staff Sgt. Bryce Saint-Vincent, whose lives have been positively impacted by this community’s philanthropic culture.

“They have kindly and courageously agreed to offer their unique perspective as to what the generosity of hundreds of people in Indian River County, most of whom they will never meet, has meant to them and their future,” said Kint.

Their stories included a COVID-related need for aid, a decade’s worth of community support, and the heartfelt appreciation for a piece of home delivered to soldiers on the other side of the world.