VERO BEACH — Ashley Frank didn’t realize that she would be perceived as such a big celebrity when she agreed to dress up as Cinderella for the Disney Character Party at Mulligan’s Beach House to benefit Youth Guidance.
Showering each little girl with a dazzling smile as they gazed up at her in wonder, she repeatedly knelt down to their level for hugs, photographs and autographs.
“I had to run and get some paper after the first little girl came up and asked me, “Can I have your autograph?”” laughed Frank, who also mentors a young girl and volunteers in the teen mentoring nights with her friend Brittany Norair.
Norair, dressed as the Mad Hatter, was doing an equally impressive job with the adults in the crowd, enthusiastically selling 50/50 raffle tickets.
The talented performer MJ, Live from Paradise entertained young and old, accompanied at times by costumed children in the crowd, playing an assortment of mariachis, bongos and tambourines. Kids were also enjoying Face Painting by Rene, balloon artists and Mini Mouse, and parents were hoping to win the coveted prize of the evening, a Disney gift card.
The event was the fifth in the Mulligan’s 12 Weeks of Summer Program, which owner George Hart established three years ago. At each of its four locations, including the newest one in Sebastian, every Thursday night from 5 to 8 pm during the summer, Mulligan’s donates 20% of the night’s proceeds to a local charity or non-profit organization and gives them space at the front of the restaurants to promote their mission.
Youth Guidance staff and volunteers were on hand to give out flyers about mentoring and volunteer opportunities, and their Polo Shirt Drive.
“We desperately need mentors,” Tricia Mitchell, public relations director and mentoring coordinator.
Mentors make a one-year commitment to work with a child two hours each week. For those who cannot make that time commitment, there are still volunteer opportunities at various events. The organization serves approximately 700 children, but there are hundreds more on the waiting list.
Ron Ellingsworth has been mentoring 14-year-old Hunter O’Neal for about two years.
“I’ve enjoyed working with youth all my life,” said Ellingsworth, who previously volunteered for many years with the Teen Academy Thrift Store. When that closed, he attended a Youth Guidance event and met O’Neal.
“When I spoke to him, the lights were on and somebody was home; he’s a very smart young man,” said Ellingsworth. “It’s fun to teach him stuff.”
The feeling is clearly mutual for O’Neal, who will be entering Sebastian River High School in the fall. Ellingsworth is teaching him to play golf and to build things, and the two regularly enjoy bowling and going to the movies.
“It’s pretty cool,” said O’Neal. “He’s fun to hang out with and he teaches me a lot of things. He always thinks of new things to do.”
Kristin Sposato and Sue Davis, both relatively new mentors, were equally enthused and in the fall plan on meeting with teachers at the schools their mentees attend.
Sposato said her whole family, especially her 13-year old son Cole and 11-year-old daughter Gabby, has enjoyed mentoring 6-year-old Noah.
“Cole is a golfer, and he’s teaching Noah how to play,” said Sposato. “Noah loved it; he absolutely loved it. He’s attentive, engaged and was really enjoying his time with Cole. Noah came back from the driving range and told me, “We just had so much fun; we had so many laughs!” It’s a perfect fit for the family. Gabby swims in the pool with him and teaches him arts and crafts; he loves to draw. The nice part is we all get something out of it.”
Davis took over as mentor to 9-year-old Dakota when her twin daughters left for college.
“My husband and I try to do something with her three to four hours a week,” said Davis. We have a horse, and she likes coming to the stable to feed it. She’s a very smart girl.”
To ensure that all its kids are provided with new shirts, Youth Guidance is conducting its annual Polo Shirt Drive through August 10. Collared shirts in solid white or Navy for kids in K-12 and monetary donations can be dropped off at their office at 1028 20th Place in Vero Beach.
Mentors and volunteers are particularly needed over the summer at various events, including:
Teen Group, 5 to 7:30 pm every Monday at the Community Church;
Martial Arts/Yoga and Qi Gong Group, 6 to 7:30 pm every Tuesday at the Riverside Park picnic pavilions;
Tennis Clinic on Saturday, July 16 from 10:45 am to 12:30 pm at the Jungle Club;
YG Kids Take Flight as Young Eagles/EAA on Saturday, July 16 from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Vero Beach Airport;
YG Kids Get Hooked on Fishing on Saturday, July 23 from 9 am to 12 noon at the Wabasso Causeway picnic pavilion;
Good Grades Pool Party on Saturday, August 13 from 5:30 to 8 pm at the Gifford Aquatic Center.
For more information or to volunteer at these events, call Piper Vetromile at (772) 226-3092.