VERO BEACH — This year the Gifford Youth Activity Center (GYAC), with great excitement and enthusiasm, has chosen Champ and Debbie Sheridan as the 2012 recipients of the annual Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award.
The Sheridans will be honored at a gala held on November 7 to celebrate and thank them for their generosity and fine example to the community.
This year’s benefit will be held at the beautiful and elegant Orchid Island Beach Club. The evening will be comprised of a cocktail reception, a formal dinner, a tribute to the Sheridan’s philanthropic contributions, and the presentation of the award.
The time of the gala will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The cost of tickets is $175 each, or tables of ten can be purchased for $1,500.
Sponsorships for the event are still available. The sponsorship packet can be provided upon request by calling the Center to have one delivered personally or sent to you through the mail or by way of email.
This is sure to be an evening of fun and filled with surprises. Among many things planned, a historical perspective of the Sheridan’s life will be presented by friends, colleagues, and a photographic tribute.
The Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award was established to honor his charitable work throughout the community and to bring attention to the GYAC, which Mr. Richardson was a founding member.
This has become a highly recognized award in our community of which many distinguished philanthropists have been honored. Award recipients have been Dan K. Richardson, Ms. Alma Lee Loy, Robert and Eleonora McCabe, Father Richard Murphy/Holy Cross Church, Dr. Hugh and Ann Marie McCrystal, Dr. Ronald Hudson, and Carter Hopkins. These women and men have each been leaders in advancing Indian River County in a profound and extraordinary way.
The Sheridan’s philanthropic endeavors are as impressive as they are lengthy. Most notably, they donated a sizable leadership gift for the John Hopkins’ University’s fundraising campaign in the eight figure range.
Debbie and Champ have spread their charitable spirit and support locally throughout Indian River County to various community organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs of IRC, the University of Florida’s Mental Health Facility, and the Gifford Youth Activity Center, among many others.
One of the Sheridan’s most outstanding recent local philanthropic endeavors has been to the Indian River Medical Center. You cannot write the history of philanthropy at IRMC without a chapter devoted to Champ & Debbie.
History will record that they were the first seven figure donors to the Capital Campaign. This gift was the spark that ignited others to give and raised more than 52 million dollars.
Champ’s modesty and his self-effacing manner endear him to those who have the privilege of knowing him. Debbie & Champ fully epitomize the true essence of philanthropy and are deserving of the recognition as the 2012 Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award recipients.
“We are honored to be given this recognition,” said Champ Sheridan with his signature tone of humbleness, “especially if it brings awareness to others of the work and support that is needed to continue growth and development of all charitable causes.”
“We are also thrilled to be participating with the Gifford Youth Activity Center in this event,” Debbie Sheridan continued, ”because we deeply respect and admire this organization and the impressive numbers of children and families they positively impact everyday.”
For more information about this event or to learn more about the Gifford Youth Activity Center, a 501c3 non-profit agency, please call (772) 794-1005.