Luscious aromas emanated from the dining room of the Quail Valley River Club last Monday evening as volunteer chefs delivered their chocolaty best at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of St Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties’ annual fundraising dinner, Chocolate, Champagne and Chefs, which this year honored the Dyer Auto Group and Brad Lorimier.
As guests arrived, they passed by 10 brand-new tyke-sized bikes positioned out front that were later auctioned to brighten the lives of children in the BBBS program who most likely have never had a new bicycle. There were also plenty of silent auction items for the guests to bid on as they wandered the lobby, enjoying hors d’oeuvres and champagne.
Many visited with the five skillful chefs who had concocted chocolate selections that had guests wishing – as delicious as they realized Chef Joe Faria’s dinner would be – that they could eat dessert first. Chef Chris Bireley of Osceola Bistro, Chef Tim Blouin of Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club, Chef Scott Varricchio from Citrus Grillhouse, Lori Young of Sweet Creations and Quail Valley’s own Pastry Chef Peter Caruso had each produced displays that were as scrumptious as they were beautiful.
Although the sweet treats were impressive, the true focus of the evening was on the generous mentorship of the numerous “bigs” who help BBBS “littles” – children whose family life might not be ideal or who could benefit with someone helping with their schoolwork.
“The contact between the bigs and the littles is so deep, rich and continuing,” said emcee and auctioneer John Moore, commenting on the success of mentorships. “There are a lot of great charities but this one really touches kids on a one-on-one basis. I know one man, Allan Klotsche who went on to adopt his little and put him through college.”
Honorees Will and Tatiana Dyer support many non-profit agencies through their Dyer Difference Award program. The Dyer management team votes monthly to present the award and a $3,000 check on behalf of Dyer Chevrolet Mazda Subaru to a local non-profit organization that is truly making a difference.
“It is part of what we do; part of our culture of giving back at the dealership,” said Tatiana Dyer, crediting her father-in-law, David Dyer, with cultivating the family’s philanthropic mission. “This is an incredible honor. We not do this to be recognized but to support the community that supports us.”
Honoree Brad Lorimier, whose late wife Mary Jo served on the organization’s Advisory Board, is now mentoring his second little in the BBBS after-school reading program. He said he was hooked after donating a bicycle to a BBBS child, and seeing the joy on the face of the little girl who received it.
“I mentor a little 9-year-old boy in reading now,” said Lorimier, who was trained by The Learning Coalition. “It is so rewarding. I think I have been having a significant impact on Johnny and he certainly has had an impact on me.”
“This is an organization that does a great job supporting kids locally,” said Walt Borisenok, who with wife Michelle were top donors of the event. “They provide mentors; they give them direction. Knowing that the money we give is deployed to the kids who are here is why we wanted to support them.”
“They are really making a difference in this community,” added Michelle Borisenok.
