VERO BEACH -The Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside is excited to announce the premier of their signature fundraising event — Vero’s first ever “Scarecrows in the Park.” The Rotary VBO members are planning to make Scarecrows in the Park an event that will be enjoyed year after year by generations of families, friends and neighbors alike.
Twenty-five creatively hand-crafted, whimsical Scarecrows will be designed by local businesses groups, schools and individuals and will be on display under the oak canopy of Riverside Park from Saturday, October 30 to Wednesday, November 3.
Weekend hours are Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday from noon to 8 pm. There will be a special “Pixies in the Park” taking place on Halloween night, October 31. Children are invited to visit the scarecrows that night wearing their fun and zany costumes will receive free admission and a special treat. Weekday hours Monday to Wednesday are from 5 to 8 pm. A suggested entry donation of $1 per person, with children under five free, makes this new event affordable and fun.
“We’re excited about our scarecrow event since this idea has been very successful in numerous cities throughout the U.S. like St. Charles, IL, Chapel Hill, NC, and Atlanta, GA where our event idea originated,” stated Maureen Labadie, Rotary Vero Beach Oceanside Club President.
Proceeds will benefit charities of the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside including SafeSpace, The Sun Up Center of Indian River, and others.
Dennis Bartholomew, Sun Up Center Executive Director said “We’re thrilled we were asked to have our clients create the scarecrow for the entrance to this great event. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them.”
Rotary Vero Beach Oceanside along with their “Light up the Night” sponsor Gold Coast Landscape Lighting and “Feast For The Eyes” sponsor Joey’s Bistro, invite businesses, individuals, groups, and schools to be a part of this premier, family event by sponsoring a scarecrow for $175.
“With only 25 scarecrows spots available and the deadline for entry October 8, 2010 there’s no time to waste,” stated Tammy Adams, Rotary VBO Vice President and Service Chair.
Scarecrow sponsors as of September 23 include Central Window, John W. McDonald, M.S.-Indian River Skin & Cancer Center, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Leo N. Desmond – Attorney at Law, and Florida Veterinary League – Dr. Darrell & Mrs. Susan Horn.
“Participation in the event will help provide much needed supplies and a brighter future for children and families in our community,” declared Adams.
The Rotary Club Vero Beach Oceanside scarecrows committee includes Tammy Adams – Chair, Gary Froonjian, Ed & Susan Smith and Maureen Labadie.
Sponsorship information is available by calling Maureen Labadie at 772-473-1036 or Gary Froonjian at 772-205-0202.
Newly chartered in March 2009, the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside made quite an impact in the community in its first year. One of six Rotary Clubs in Indian River County, its twenty plus members dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours and contributed more than $4,000 towards local charitable groups including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of the Beaches, Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center, Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts, Literacy Services of Indian River County, The Rotary Foundation & PolioPlus and The Samaritan Center.
Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside is but one of 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service – in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotary clubs are free to develop autonomous service programs locally, nationally and globally, plus, all Rotarians are united in a worldwide campaign to eradicate polio.
Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside meets every Tuesday from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Indian River Shores Town Hall Community Room located at 6001 N. A1A & Fred Tuerk Drive in Vero Beach, FL 32963.
Information: Call Maureen Labadie at 772-589-3025 or visit www.rotarycluboceanside.org or www.rotary.org.
