Move over, Disney: The Quail Valley River Club was the “happiest place on earth” last Monday morning, as Quail Valley Charities presented checks totaling $525,000 to 34 local nonprofit agencies for projects focused on children and education.
“It’s a great day at Quail Valley; Quail Valley Charities celebrated its 15th season this year,” said Quail Valley Golf Club General Manager Kevin Given, praising the hardworking committee and team members, as well as the generous Quail Valley membership. “We’ve raised in excess and distributed over $5 million in 15 years. This year we’ll be able to fully fund all 34 nonprofit charities that are represented.”
He gave special thanks to Wanda Lincoln, QVC executive chair, her vice chair Trudie Rainone, and Martha Redner, QVC executive director, saying, “They’ve really taken this charity from its infancy stages and grown it tremendously. They’re recognized really throughout the community for their volunteerism and philanthropic spirit.” He also credited Kristen Redner, QVC executive assistant, for “taking us into the 21st century with technology.”
Lincoln praised Given and Steve Mulvey, Quail Valley CEO, saying, “It was their vision to have this be a part of the club. Those of us who are in the leadership of this, it’s just to assist them in attaining their vision of helping children throughout our community and having our community be a better place because of this.”
She commented that this year a post-event program will include recipient organization contact information to encourage Quail members’ volunteer efforts.
“Most of all, we want to thank you. You are the ones working the trenches. You are the ones making a difference for children every single day,” said Lincoln. “We’re happy to help, but you have our respect, you have our appreciation and we admire what you do for children.”
After handing out checks to grateful nonprofit representatives, Martha Redner reiterated, “Thank you again for all you do. That’s going to serve a lot of kids in our community.”
“Isn’t it wonderful? We’re fully funded!” exclaimed Trudie Rainone. “It’s been a fabulous year. Martha deserves so much credit for being our fearless leader. No matter what the day is like, she’s always there to help, and with a smile. You can always count on Martha!”
Grants were award to: Ballet Vero Beach, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, CASTLE, Childcare Resources, Children’s Home Society, Crossover Mission, Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center, Education Foundation, Environmental Learning Center, Epic Missions, Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program, Gifford Youth Achievement Center, Gifford Youth Orchestra, Hibiscus Children’s Center, Healthy Start Coalition, Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 556, Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation, LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast, McKee Botanical Garden, Mental Health Association, Quail Valley Employee Education Fund, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, Scholarship Foundation, Special Equestrians, Striving 4 Success, Suncoast Mental Health Center, The Learning Alliance, The Salvation Army, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Victory Kids, VNA & Hospice Foundation, Willis Sports Association, Women’s Care Center and Youth Guidance.
