INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Lured by a chocolaty chance to help children, supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters packed the Quail Valley River Club Monday evening for an elegantly scrumptious Chocolate, Champagne and Chefs dinner.
The evening honored Impact 100 for its exceptional philanthropic support of local nonprofit organizations.
Funds raised at the event will help support the BBBS reading program and its Children of Promise program, which matches responsible adult mentors with children whose parents are incarcerated in state or federal prison.
In Indian River County alone there are almost 50 children, ranging in age from 6 to 18, in the Children of Promise program, but there are approximately 400 that potentially qualify.
“You’d never expect that number in Indian River County,” said BBBS CEO Judi Miller.
Stating that without some sort of mentorship, almost 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will also end up in the legal system, she added, “That’s a staggering statistic.”
Joanna Meyers chaired the event, enlisting the help of committee chairs Georgann Schreiber, who designed all the exquisite rose bouquet centerpieces, Pat Bingleman, Debbie Chastain, MaryAnne Egan, MaryJo Lorimier and Sherry McMahon.
As guests dined on a superb filet mignon and swordfish dinner, prepared by Quail Valley Executive Chef Joe Faria, Meyers spoke briefly about the organization’s mission of putting caring adults into the lives of the children who need them.
“When a little 6-year old looks into your eyes and says, you’re the kindest person I’ve ever met, you know you’re doing something special,” said Meyers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters board member MaryJo Lorimier presented the Philanthropy Award to current Impact 100 board president Linda Knoll.
BBBS was one of four nonprofits which received $100,000 transformational grants from Impact 100 this past spring.
Impact 100 joins a stellar list of prior honorees including John and Lee Moore and the United Way, the John’s Island Foundation and John’s Island Community Service League, Grand Harbor, Quail Valley Charities and Barbara Becker Hurley.
Cathy LaCroix and Gia, the 13 year-old “little” she has mentored the past six years, were introduced and spoke of their sanguine relationship.
“I will just tell you from the heart, that it has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” said LaCroix, encouraging others to enter into similarly special relationships.”
“I really like this program. I wouldn’t be the great violinist I am,” giggled Gia with delight.
She has only recently started lessons and later played what she said was, “Only the part that sounds good,” from Beethoven’s Symphony # 2.
Exhibiting his characteristic wit, Moore gave a “Tour du Chocolat,” eliciting what he deemed a collective moan of pleasure, and adding, “This is right up there folks with world peace.”
The chefs who had produced the decadently delicious chocolaty works of art were Robert Angel of Quail Valley River Club, Chris Bireley, owner of Osceola Bistro, Tim Blouin of Grand Harbor Club, Amanda Ellis of the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa Cobalt Restaurant, Stephanie Paton of Windsor Club, Scott Varricchio, owner of Citrus Grillhouse, and Adrienne Drew, owner of Catering by Adrienne Drew.
Moore also presided over a live auction with persuasive panache, enticing bidders to purchase a host of must-have items and services.
“So the bikes are really, really, really important,” said Brad Lorimer, helping Moore with an impassioned plea for bids on six shiny new bicycles donated by Wal-Mart, which will become Christmas presents for a few lucky children.
“You will never see anything like their faces.”
The six bikes soon became seven and quickly ‘sold’ for $1,000 apiece.
Approximately 500 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 other organizations, include G.E.M (Golf, Education and Mentoring), T.E.A.M. (Tennis, Education and Mentoring, M.C.O.P. (Mentoring Children of Promise), and Mentoring for Success in Early Childhood. The Impact 100 grant funded a collaborative program which provides comprehensive mentor training, mentor roundtable facilitation, and researching best practices and mentor resources.