Orchid Outreach celebrated 16 years of giving at their annual cocktail reception to honor scholarship recipients and thank benefactors for their generous support. More than 200 members of the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at the home of John and Jo-Anne Kennedy. And, although the day had started out rather dreary, the clouds cleared and the sun came out just in time for a spectacular sunset as guests gathered on the terrace.
“The committee offers this soiree as a thank you to all those residents who have generously donated to our educational scholarship program and introduce newcomers to our cause,” explained Orchid Outreach committee chair Tracy Lamport. “Funds are raised each season through the kindness of Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club members. To date, Orchid Outreach has awarded 41 scholarships to worthy and hardworking students.”
Lamport noted that the lavish celebration was made possible through committee member dues to ensure that all donations would go directly into the scholarship program. Members prepared and served an assortment of delectable treats to rival those of the finest chefs and the club donated staff time to help with shuttles, waiters and bartenders.
Orchid Outreach was founded in 2001 under the direction of Nancy Bryson and the late Mary Ellen Strawser to provide scholarships to children of first responders at the then newly constructed Indian River County Fire and Rescue Station. Through overwhelming support, the program has grown to include Orchid Island employees and county residents attending Indian River State College.
“Orchid Island has such a family feeling; the employees and residents here are very close,” said Lamport. “I think that’s the reason why some of us volunteer for the event. We like to guarantee that anybody that works for us is going to be able to go to school.”
The 2016 recipients of the Orchid Employee Scholarships were Melvin Baker, Erin Cady and Kaela Miller, and the recipients of the 2016 Orchid Scholarship were Diana Rugani, Nicole Bolton and Grace Waage.
Bolton, a student at Indian River State College who has worked at Orchid Island for the past six years, attended the reception with her parents.
“This means I don’t have to worry about school; paying for books and all the extra things that you need when you are in college,” said a grateful Bolton. “It would make it a lot harder if I didn’t have the scholarship. I would have to work more hours and not be able to focus on school and studying.”
The Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County has administered the scholarship program since its inception and in 2012 the Indian River State College Foundation became an additional partner.
“All of our scholarships are made possible through donations, foundations and private organizations or communities like Orchid,” explained Camilla Wainright, Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County executive director. “Without their support, we wouldn’t have money to help students go to college. It has impacted a lot of lives in our community.”
