Supporters of St. Francis Manor gathered at the Vero Beach facility last Saturday evening to enjoy a family-friendly All American Barbecue Bash while raising funds for the nonprofit, which offers limited-income seniors over age 55 much-needed affordable housing.
The annual event was as much about increasing public awareness of the nonprofit organization as it was about fundraising. The lovely five-acre residential property is filled with flowers and shady trees, with a picturesque lake boarded by a strolling deck at the center of the complex.
“Frank Zorc was responsible for building the deck,” said board member Kim Gibson, referencing a founder of the facility who passed away last week. “St. Francis was his idea. He was the one that first pounded the pavement to get the seed money to start this. We are all so saddened by his passing since he was so instrumental in building this beautiful place for seniors to live independently.”
Roughly 300 tickets had been issued for the event, which featured grilled burgers, hot dogs and chicken donated and cooked by Sunrise Rotarians, great entertainment and line dancing to the Rebel Rousers, face-painting and a bounce house for the little ones, and a multitude of interesting silent auction and raffle items in the air-conditioned club hall.
“St. Francis offers a unique service to the community that nobody else does,” said Rotarian Lorne Coyle. “They currently have a small footprint but it is invaluable in the community. If it were not for this place, we would have elderly sleeping in their cars. Also, the socialization they have here along with the services provided keep them healthy.”
“It’s really nice and economical. After I retired at 55, I had a 30 percent cut in income,” said Graham Rice, a 33-year Vero Beach lifeguard who now makes St. Francis his home. “I had a very active life with lifeguard competitions, running and diving, so now I just want to rest and this place gives me my independence.”
Unlike many senior homes that are run more like dormitories, residents here have their own spaces yet are kept connected through a slew of social activities. There are a few one-bedroom units for couples and future buildings will have those residents in mind.
“There has always been a waiting list here. We are in the process of expanding and accommodating more seniors to the best of our ability,” said Board President Anthony Dzielski. “When you need a place to live you need it now, not in three months. So our goal has always been to expand the manor.”
They are in the quiet phase of a capital campaign to raise enough to break ground for new units in early 2017, with a goal of completion by the end of that year. The expansion effort was facilitated after Indian River County commissioners allowed them to split the lease of a parcel of county-owned land with the Boys & Girls Club of IRC. They plan to build two new buildings, adding 18 more rooms to their current 98 studio/efficiency apartments.
“That may not seem like a lot, but in the course of 50 years, we figure that will serve approximately 900 people,” said Gibson.
