VERO BEACH — The all-volunteer Board directing the OceanSide Business Association (OBA) is pleased to share our “Good Years and Good Deeds” news.
The OBA has raised over $45k for various charities during the past two years. Our motto, “Mixing Business with Pleasure,” invites all to enjoy our beautiful OceanSide neighborhood.
These events draw people, not only from Vero, but from throughout the state, and these efforts benefit local tourism, retail, dining, hotels, and more.
OBA charitable giving raises over $45k in two years.
Martin Bireley (The Beach Shop), VP – OBA Retail Committee Chair reports his group raised over $32k for Quail Valley Charities & the American Cancer Society in two campaigns.
Thanks to OBA’s hard work and dedication, the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides campaign has recognized our efforts with their award for highest contributors each year.
$16,500 to Quail Valley Charities, Shopping for Children’s Charities Campaign (January 2012 – $5k; January 2011 – $11,500).
$15,900 to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Campaign/ Shop for a Cure (October, 2011 – $7k; October, 2010 – $8,900)
Georgia Irish (Marine Bank & Trust), VP – Treasurer, Taste of Vero/OBA Farmer’s Market Chair, reports TASTE OF VERO has raised over $9k in two events.
Thanks to an angel donor and ticket sales, Youth Guidance & Children’s Home Society have enjoyed the rewards of these two events. After a hiatus, OBA put on the October 2011 TASTE, where torrential rains & power outages were a challenge.
OBA staged the April 2012 TASTE successfully and are pleased to annouce we will be offering it again in the spring of 2013.
$5k to Children’s Home Society in October 2011.
$4,600 to Youth Guidance in April 2012.
While the OBA Farmer’s Market does not directly give money to charities, it donates “a non-profit space” when available for free. It encourages these non-profits to advertise their event(s), raise funds, and sell raffle or event tickets, etc.
A $1,500+ value to various charities.
Al Benkert (Vero Beachside Sales-Rentals), VP – Concerts/Parades Chair, reports the OBA Sunset Saturday Night Concerts produce 11 free concerts (January through November) monthly with the help of sponsors, vendors, and in-kind donations.
A “Charity of the Month” is chosen and given free advertising, a table at the event with an introduction from the bandstand, and the OBA collects for their raffles and 50/50 monies.
Fundraising is estimated per event to be between $100 and $500, though charities are not required to report it to us. Plus, new bands are sought out to keep things fresh, and four new bands have been booked in the months ahead.
The OBA Christmas parade partners with the Treasure Coast Rotary Club. Canned food and toys are collected for the Rotary’s Chuckwagon Drive and U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots Drive, respectively.
The OBA Christmas parade is the largest event consisting of 40-50 groups with floats, marching squads, vehicles of many vintages, the Vero Beach High School Band, and Santa (of course).
It’s a much anticipated yearly event, on the first Saturday of December. Partners’ contributions and donations are welcomed to help defray the expenses of putting on these events.
The OBA St. Patrick’s Day mini-parade partners with Irish Treasures and the OBA Farmer’s Market on the Saturday of or before March 17. It’s a few blocks of cheery, mid-morning, revelry.
Concerts: $3k+ value to various charities.
Parades: Canned foods & Toys for Tots.
Tyna Collier (SunTrust Bank) VP – Membership Chair reports OBA membership has more than doubled over the past 2 years. It now consists of 100+ members.
Ms. Collier’s hard work has produced great success with the OBA Maps website (ww.VeroBeachOBA.com), and After Hours Social. Charitable giving has been possible because of the members.
In the year ahead, recruiting will include individual OceanSide professionals and putting on a community building workshop this summer to address concerns and opportunities of the Oceanside zone.