VERO BEACH — It was a great idea, but Mother Nature had ideas of her own. After receiving a donation of 800 golf balls, Youth Guidance organizers created a Heli-Drop Ball Bash and BBQ fundraiser centered on the concept of selling chances to the balls, which would be dropped from a helicopter onto a targeted area at the Vero Beach Sports Village.
Inclement weather forced a postponement from an earlier date, and the helicopter Paris Air donated the use of was grounded by the aeronautical equivalent of a fender-bender. Then, although the sun broke through the clouds in Vero Beach Saturday, a West Palm Beach rented helicopter was socked in by April showers.
But, as Barbara Schlitt-Ford cheerfully informed, they had plans B, C and D on the back burner, utilizing a compost tumble, thoroughly cleaned for the occasion, as a bingo-style ball tumbler. Fortunately, the City vs. County Kickball Game went on as planned, eliminating the need for a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” matchup.
The afternoon began with the kickball game at Holman Stadium, pitting players from the Cities of Vero Beach and Sebastian against Indian River County players. The County emerged victorious, besting the City 14 to 12 thanks largely to the athletic prowess of Milo Thornton, a Deputy with the IRC Sheriff’s Office and clearly the game’s MVP.
“I spent many summers outside,” smiled Thornton, swearing he hadn’t played since childhood. “When my Momma told me to get out of the house we played kickball.”
County Commissioner Wesley Davis, the game’s official announcer, gave evenhanded encouragement to all, relating that the teams had practiced five times and laughing, “I heard someone in the peanut gallery say it wouldn’t have made a difference if they’d had 50.”
“The practices have been just hysterical,” said Schlitt-Ford. “After it got delayed, they said, “We’re having so much fun. Can we continue?” It’s kind of what Youth Guidance does; it brings people together for good things. All these municipalities playing together; it’s great. I just love what we do.”
The party moved en mass over to the Sports Village Conference Center where they enjoyed a Bono’s Pit Barbeque, danced to the band Voodoo, and rehashed memorable game moments.
“You were in the dunk tank last weekend, kickball this weekend – what’s next?” asked Sheriff Deryl Loar of Vero Beach Mayor Pilar Turner.
“It’s been fun but it’s exhausting,” laughed Turner.
When the big moment came, Patricia Mitchell and Ashley Frank turned handles on the tumbler and the room thundered with the sound of 270 golf balls churning about.
“If that’s not like the sound of a helicopter, I don’t know what is!” said Davis.
Six balls were drawn, with the first three winning tickets to the 35th Annual Tropical Night Luau on June 2, and the others winning $500, $1,250 and $2,500 respectively.
Exchange Club of Sebastian chairman Michael Natale said they would donate their second prize winnings back to Youth Guidance explaining, “When we go to do our distribution for money raised at our June 9 Blue Water Open Fishing Tournament, they will get this along with a portion of the money from the tournament.”
Many in attendance were Youth Guidance mentors, spending a few hours each week providing guidance and enjoyable activities to local at-risk children.
“The kids need someone to buddy up with; someone other than parents or teachers they can tell whatever they need to tell. No matter how silly it is, they can voice it; no judgment,” said Carol Cooney, mentor to a 13-year-old girl.
She and board chairman Randy Tremblay also volunteer at a weekly Youth Guidance Teen Group.
“Each week someone volunteers to do the program or the food; sometimes they do both,” said Tremblay. “We get a lot out of it as adults too; it’s a good program.
“We try to make it fun,” said Cooney. “The teen program is so wonderful; it’s so good for the kids. They’re learning to share; caring and sharing. I love to see kids having fun, because they are the future – invest in your future.”
