Thirteen local nonprofits received a helping hand from the “Heart” of the Indian River Club community at a poolside reception last Thursday afternoon. The Head, Heart and Hands Community Outreach program, formed in 2013, utilizes a multi-faceted approach. The “Head” focuses on learning more about community needs, the “Heart” through philanthropy and the “Hands” through volunteerism.
“This is our third year of giving out grants,” said Marybeth Cunningham, board chairman in her welcoming address. “The first year we gave out $40,000 worth of grants, and we thought we were doing pretty darn good. Last year we gave out $80,000 and this year we are giving out $105,000.”
As part of their volunteer efforts, more than 60 Indian River Club residents lend a hand at the Indian River Academy each week, tutoring the elementary school children, providing teacher assistance, greeting buses and performing landscaping tasks.
To keep their fingers on the pulse of the community, the group developed a monthly speaker forum, hearing firsthand from service providers and those affected by social issues, on what the nonprofits need to help them accomplish their missions. The growth of the philanthropic initiative has enabled the group to give more; in turn broadening their reach throughout the community.
The committee received 29 grant requests this year, each vetted by a rotating group of eight volunteers who visit the sites before determining which of the applicants will be funded.
While the recipients were thrilled to receive their grants, it was also heartwarming to hear grant chairman Larry Salustro thank the nonprofit leaders and their staff members for the work they do in the community.
“This is a special thing for us because there’s a boy at the Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic who now feels more in control of his body. It’s special for us because there’s a woman living alone who plans her day around a visit from the Meals on Wheels volunteer who provides a hot meal and a little bit of conversation,” said Salustro. “What’s special is that there’s a horse out there somewhere who is about to become the new constant companion and new best friend for a young woman at Special Equestrians. What is special is what you do, and we thank you for allowing us to have an opportunity to share that with you.”
What is also special is that residents of the Indian River Club have united as a community to help others by using their heads to learn about needs, their hearts to share what they have, and their hands to help build a better world.