INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Some of the best buys in town were up for grabs Sunday night at an inaugural Silent Auction Fundraiser held at the Vero Beach Yacht Club to benefit The Source, a Christian outreach ministry serving those less fortunate in Indian River County.
“The Club has been in existence for 80 years, and has never had a major fundraiser for a charity,” said event chairman Jack Berrigan. “I decided it was about time we did one.”
Berrigan and wife Mary teamed up with Woody and Karen Boarman to pull off the event, gathering up auction items and organizing the festive occasion.
The evening also featured an extensive buffet, and entertainment by the talented Stringsations, a quartet of students from Vero Beach High School.
Eschewing St. Patrick’s Day beer, this crowd went right for the bidding – and with more than 110 items there was something for everyone.
To keep hover bidders from making last minute mark-ups, they pulled numbers from a hat to randomly close out the various items.
Woody Boarman’s radio-quality voice made him the clear choice to be the official announcer.
“A lot of people said I missed my calling,” said Boarman, a former Marine, boiler industry engineer, and owner of a sheet metal company.
He gave credit to his wife for putting together 40 of the themed basket assortments – which included everything from pampered pooches and spa days to Tinkerbelle and Elvis.
There were also lots of cruises on the river, artwork, jewelry, trips, dinners, golf outings and items too numerous to name.
Member Glenn Rose even crafted a must-have for any beach or boater – turning a cooler into a unique MP3 player.
“We were very excited,” said Brenda Sposato, who handles public relations and grants for The Source.
“It’s a mix of people – single mothers, homeless individuals, families trying to make ends meet,” she said of the people they serve.
“We’re just very fortunate to be able to offer our services to the community. For me it’s an honor. This is a wonderful community. What I see in Vero is that when there’s a need, they respond. That’s what the Vero Beach Yacht Club did. We’re truly thankful that they offered to do a fundraiser for us.”
New Source board member Jan Lauffer is no stranger to the nonprofit world, previously serving in numerous capacities with the American Cancer Society.
“I’m friends with Jim Crockett and Chuck Sinclair, [Source board vice president and president respectively] and they pulled me out of retirement,” said Lauffer.
“This is such a good organization. They convinced me they could use my help.”
“The more you get involved with it, the more you see that there is much that needs to be done,” said Crockett. “The needs are just so great.”
The Source is open six days per week, providing hot meals, personal ministry, support groups and other services to people in crisis.