At the annual Evening of Giving benefit last Thursday, organized by Grand Harbor Community Outreach volunteers, 300 residents, sponsors and local non-profit representatives took the event’s meaning to heart – enabling someone in need to have a Christmas wish come true.
It was a merry night of warmth and giving as Grand Harbor residents plucked red and green star-shaped gift requests from two Christmas trees, prominently situated in the lobby of the clubhouse.
Committee members estimate the total worth of the gifts to be roughly $35,000, and this year, residents can continue to choose stars from the trees and make donations until Dec. 2. Residents can either purchase the requested gifts themselves or write checks so that committee volunteers can later shop, wrap and deliver the various items at Christmas time.
“This is a more directed way of giving,” explained Linda Bradley, who co-chaired the event with Pat Andrus. “It gives you a good feeling. It’s so personal.”
Gift requests included items such as $50 Wal-Mart gift cards for seniors in need through the Senior Resource Association; tents, sleeping bags and lanterns for the homeless who are assisted by The Source; clothes, shoes and toys for residents of the Homeless Family Center; and eye exams and eyeglasses for students offered by Florida Vision Quest through the Education Foundation and Learning Alliance’s Vision for Learning program.
Other organizations that the Outreach Program works with to coordinate gift requests and their distribution include the Food Pantry of Indian River County, Transitional Living Center, Guardian ad Litem, Operation Hope, Children’s Home Society, Camp Haven and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association.
Grand Harbor Community Outreach is a member-driven nonprofit organization developed and funded by Grand Harbor residents. All money raised is donated to address the unmet needs of groups and individuals in the areas of health, education and human services in the county.
The annual Evening of Giving event, which began 14 years ago, is the first of a series of programs held throughout the season. Other events include a dinner and live auction, luncheon, charity golf classic and gala.
“Tonight is about giving back to our community, giving to people who have needs and people who are alone at Christmas,” said Susanne Sweeney, president of Grand Harbor Outreach. “It’s just a time for people to celebrate the wonderful life we have in Indian River County and to be able to have the opportunity to help those less fortunate.”
Indeed, friendliness and charity filled many hearts during the evening. Wearing red, green and sparkly outfits, guests deemed the event a kick-off to the holiday season, and enjoyed a buffet of beef tenderloin, penne pasta and encrusted salmon donated by Grand Harbor Club.
Sabrina Barnes, executive director of Children’s Home Society, a child welfare agency, beamed when describing the joy the gift-giving program brings to foster children.
“These are kids who may not get anything for Christmas,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to have some normalcy.”