VERO BEACH — Recognizing that education is the key to success, the adults who volunteer their time as mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters are doing their part to help children unlock their hidden potential.
Supporters of the organization flocked to the Quail Valley River Club Monday evening for an elegant and scrumptious Chocolate, Champagne and Chefs event to honor Philanthropy Award recipients John and Lee Moore and the United Way of Indian River County.
The event concept came from Joanna Meyers, who said she modified the idea from a similar Champagne and Chefs event in the New York Hamptons where she summers.
“I just improvised and added the chocolate,” Meyers said with a smile.
“Because chocolate is the perfect food group,” interjected her cousin Georgann Schreiber, who designed the lovely rose bouquet centerpieces.
“I’m overwhelmed by the response this year,” Meyers added, noting that 100 percent of the proceeds would benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.
This year’s Philanthropy Award honorees join a stellar list of past individuals and groups that include the John’s Island Foundation and John’s Island Community Service League, Grand Harbor, Quail Valley Charities and Barbara Becker Hurley.
The Moore’s have a long history of dedication to the community, through Holy Cross Church, innumerable nonprofit organizations, the Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians and various philanthropic foundations, garnering well-deserved honorariums along the way for their tireless support.
The United Way has also provided overwhelming support to the community, raising almost $45 million in its 52-year history, and this year assisting more than 40 programs provided by 32 partner agencies. The United Way provided incubator space and funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters, allowing it to grow locally and do more “United than alone.”
As a delightful example of the positive influence mentors can have on children, a polite and talented young man named Walter attended the event with the grandmother who raised him and David Jokines, his big brother for the past five years. Walter received a standing ovation for his emotive rendition of Marvin Sapp’s Gospel song, “Never Would Have Made It.”
“Because of people like you who are here tonight, it makes it possible for us to help “littles” like Walter,” said Meyers. She then presented Walter with a Nook, donated by Walmart, to which the overwhelmed youngster responded, “Holy Moly!”
“He’s gone through so much,” said Judi Miller, Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO, noting that Walter’s mother died when he was quite young. “His world has just so expanded because of the mentoring program. His big brother is just amazing. He’s really going to make it because of David and his grandmother.”
“It’s spending time with the child and helping him develop socially,” said Jokines, when asked how mentoring most benefits children. “Making sure he doesn’t have any problems he can’t solve.”
Quail Valley Chef Joe Faria worked his magic with a wonderful filet mignon and salmon dinner, making it difficult for guests to leave room for the decadently delicious chocolate desserts prepared by local chefs – Robert Angel of Quail Valley River Club, Chris Bireley of Osceola Bistro, Tim Blouin of Grand Harbor Club, Antonio Estremera of the Wave at Costa d’Este, Stephanie Paton of Windsor Club, Scott Varricchio of Citrus Grillhouse, and Ashley Wykoff of Frosting.
With humor and flair Moore also presided over a live auction, raising additional funds to continue and expand the organization’s programs.
Approximately 490 children are enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County programs, with the primary goal of assisting struggling students, through one-on-one school-based mentoring. Additional programs, some in collaboration with Boys and Girls Clubs, include G.E.M (Golf, Education and Mentoring), T.E.A.M. (Tennis, Education and Mentoring, AmeriCorps, and M.C.O.P. (Mentoring Children of Promise).
“Our goal is to keep the match going as long as possible,” said Miller. “The longer the match, the more stable the relationship and the more gain the child is going to get out of it.”
Of the children in the M.C.O.P. program, who have a parent or parents incarcerated in state or federal prison, Miller said, “This group of kids is probably the most vulnerable of our kids. Research shows that 70 percent of children who have a parent incarcerated will end up in the prison system themselves. To be able to have a mentoring program to break that cycle is a remarkable thing.”