The Indian River Club has long been known for its challenging and visually stunning golf course; the third in the world to receive the coveted Audubon Signature Sanctuary designation by Audubon International. Its residents are now hoping to become equally recognized for their good works through a Head, Heart and Hands Community Outreach program, which was formalized last year.
“We had a lot of people doing a lot of good things, but it wasn’t organized,” explains Outreach chairman Marybeth Cunningham of the program.
Head pertains to an informative speaker series geared toward exposing residents to the needs of local nonprofit organizations.
“I think it’s really important, because it’s easy to not know what’s going on in the bigger community,” says Cunningham. “We’re trying to say, here’s what’s available and here’s what you can do.”
Heart relates to their philanthropic Indian River Club Outreach Foundation, which will award its first grants in March. After the Indian River Community Foundation helped get the word out, 28 nonprofits submitted grant requests which are being reviewed by members of the club’s Founders Circle.
“We’ve had a fabulous response from our community in terms of contributions,” says Cunningham. “We had donations of over $126,000, which is pretty fabulous for a community the size of ours. We’ve been very fortunate.”
Hands references the club’s volunteer arm, which at the moment is primarily focused on assisting students at Indian River Academy (formerly Highlands Elementary School) through tutoring and TLC. It is one of eight Title 1 schools in the district.
“It’s in our community; this is our neighborhood,” says Sharon Wolf, chair and chief cheerleader of the Hands committee. Close to 30 residents volunteer at the school on a regular basis and numerous others willingly assist with special projects.
“We’re finding people with special talents. Part of what we’re trying to do is find things people are comfortable with,” adds Cunningham.
“The name Head, Heart, Hands is so perfect for what it’s providing for our school,” says Diane Fannin, Indian River Academy Principal. “We want kids from poverty to have a belief that they have a future and that they can become scholarly and there are people who believe in them. We want our kids to realize that adults love them, and are going to help guide them in the right direction with those loving, helping hands.”
“I think the response from the teachers has been great,” says Marianne Doherty, who has noted a marked improvement with a young boy she tutors. “Week after week; it’s just a great experience.”
“I have a group of students who need practice with their English,” says Sally Bryan, a retired reading specialist, certified in English as a Second Language.
A number of volunteers are retired teachers, and others are discovering why educators are drawn to the field.
“I probably hadn’t been in an elementary school in 100 years,” laughs Ed Perry, who volunteers as a greeter in the mornings and in an after-school program that combines physical fitness with tutoring and mentoring. “I didn’t understand the value of greeting until I did it.”
As a child, Perry remembers not wanting vacations to end and was surprised at the level of enthusiasm these students had returning from their two-week break; cheerfully greeting him saying – “I’m so happy to be back.” “I couldn’t wait to get here.” or “It’s so good to see you.”
“The environment here, the combined attitude from the leadership of the school, the faculty, the students, the parents and the community I think is really infectious. You look at it from a community point of view and it’s really vibrant; it’s alive. I get a real sense that the students like being here. It’s not only safe, but it’s kind of their fun spot in life. And that’s very rewarding. I’ve been very, very impressed.”
His wife Nancy, a former art teacher, volunteers through Literacy off the Page, the collaborative effort introduced this past year through the Learning Alliance and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
“It’s what she’s believed her whole life. That is, that art is a major part of education, and how you can really take the learning and development of art – whether it’s the actual drawing of art, or the art history or the benefits created from fine arts – into developing from an educational point of view. Nancy will leave home at three o’clock to come over here and she comes home really pumped up and enthused,” says Perry.
Doherty is also working with five fifth-grade girls on developing a school yearbook, and the volunteers plan to create other interest groups, such as reading, geography, math, chess and even an orientation group for new families.
“Just in the first 45 days of school we had 150 kids either enroll or withdraw,” says Fannin. Enrollment currently stands at roughly 500 students. “Now we’re getting families excited to be here. What a great thing to be able to give them a tour and have a welcoming group.”
“Every day we find something we need,” adds Wolf.
“This is our first year as a formal community outreach program,” says Cunningham. “Sharon and these guys have done an amazing job on the volunteerism. I’m spending more time on the Foundation piece of it and the grants, and trying to get the community to know that we’re out there and we want to help.
It’s invigorating to be part of a community that wants to contribute, whether it’s volunteering or donating. It’s finding all these different ways to unleash the spirit.”