The ladies of the Indian River Guild, a fundraising arm of the Hibiscus Children’s Center, have joined forces with a multitude of local artists in a collaborative effort to raise funds for the organization through a unique new fundraiser, Chairish the Children, which will take place on Feb. 19, 2016, at the Vero Beach Country Club.
At a wine and cheese reception at Tiger Lily Gallery last Thursday evening, the event’s co-chairs, Julie Otto and Sue Sharpe, announced that even before they had fully begun recruiting for the project – for which artists will design decorative chairs to be auctioned off for charity – they have already been overwhelmed with artists who wish to contribute. As a result, they have increased the number of chairs to be auctioned from an original estimate of 35 to include as many pieces as possible.
Through Chairish the Children, guests will be able to add creative artwork to their living spaces while raising funds to enable the Hibiscus Children’s Center to assist the abused, abandoned or neglected youths residing at Hibiscus Village.
The artists will paint and embellish a variety of pieces, such as rocking chairs, benches, high chairs, bar stools, Adirondack chairs and even doll chairs. Many well-known artists in the community including Cathy Ferrell, Tim Sanchez, Shotsi Lajoie and others, have already agreed to participate, and the local buzz is that this is going to be an interesting and exciting fundraiser.
Donna Iseli works with children at the Hibiscus Children’s Center each week and says she finds the art classes that she teaches seem to engage them most of all.
“Sometimes the kids come in with some frowns during the week but when it’s Thursday and they know Miss Donna is coming, their faces light up,” said Loretto Murray from HCC. “Who doesn’t like art?”
Iseli and her class will produce one of the chairs to be auctioned and they are currently working on themes for the piece.
“Children need to be shown that we value them and we have to be a positive influence. Show them tender loving care and hopefully they will take it and pass that on to their children one day,” said Iseli.
Sharpe came up with the event’s concept, drawing on an idea from a previous successful fundraiser she had worked on. She enlisted support from her friend Otto, with both believing it would be a great new event for the organization; especially given that Vero is filled with so many talented artists.
“The artist community has been behind us a 100 percent,” said Otto.
“The event will be open to the public, and all the chairs will be sold in a silent auction during the cocktail buffet. All the money will go to benefit the kids at the Hibiscus Children’s Village which houses teenagers,” said Sharpe. “Teens seems to have so many issues which are really unique to their age group and they really need our help.”
Hibiscus Children’s Center is a non-profit agency which was founded in Stuart in 1985 to help abused, abandoned and neglected children of all ages. The Hibiscus Village in Vero Beach opened its campus in 2004. It currently houses teens from 13 to 17-years of age, providing them with a safe, nurturing environment as they become a part of our community.
