The Corporate Air Hangar took on a decidedly patriotic flair at the 15th annual Angels Help Our Kids Take Flight fundraising dinner last Tuesday to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County. Polite members of the Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere clubs greeted the 440 guests at the all-American themed event before passing them through a Mock Club where other bright-eyed youngsters described the many engaging after-school programs.
“I just think people are really seeing the value of the Boys and Girls Club,” said Bill Munn, BGC board co-chairman with Sherm Hotchkiss, of the record-breaking crowd. “They can see how effectively it runs and that their money is well spent. We serve 1,500 kids a year, and when we open up the new addition it will be 125 more.”
In keeping with the Americana motif, the hangar was festooned with dramatic red, white and blue balloon centerpieces. After the cocktail hour, children sang a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” before their signature song, “I Believe in Angels.” Also befitting the theme, guests dined on juicy hamburgers and shoestring fries, prepared by Elizabeth Kennedy Catering, with mini cupcakes by Frosting for dessert.
“The Angels Dinner is the most important fundraiser we have for the Boys and Girls Clubs,” said Hotchkiss. “All scholarship money raised makes it possible for hundreds of kids in our community to spend their summer in a safe and educational environment.”
Generous funding from last year’s dinner provided scholarships to well more than half the 600 children who attended the 12-hour-a-day, 10-week summer camp.
“You are the angels; the kids are the stars,” added Hotchkiss, before turning the microphone over to dapper bow-tied emcees Davion, Jaquan and David.
Raliya Dawson, a two-year member of the Vero Beach Club and a senior at Vero Beach High School, was recognized as the 2016 Youth of the Year. Dawson is president of the BGC Keystone Club, president of the VBHS HOSA (Health Occupational Students of America) club and an honor student with a 4.3 GPA.
“The club staff always goes above and beyond in meeting the needs of the kids who attend the club,” said Dawson, adding that staff often provide the paternal support missing in her life. “Staff makes it their mission to show just how much they truly care about our well-being. They always say it takes a village to raise a child, and Boys and Girls Club has been my village. I could never repay them for all they’ve done, but I owe it to them to never give up when things get hard and to never stop believing in my dreams.”
Introducing Windsor resident Ed Mellett, former president of Coca Cola, North America and European divisions and this year’s Angel of the Year, the emcee trio led a unique toast – with guests simultaneously popping the tabs on mini cans of Coke. A board member from 2001-2015, Mellett chaired the $6 million Capital Campaign to fund the Vero Beach Club and currently serves on the BGC Foundation board.
“Without the Boys and Girls Club, these kids would have no chance,” said Mellett. “I have to put on my shades because the future looks so damn bright for this organization.”
