Christmas came a little early at the Grand Harbor Golf Club, as 300 resident revelers gathered last Thursday for a festive Evening of Giving to kick off the spirit of the holiday season.
Guests selected stars and angels from one of the festively decorated Christmas trees, each designating a charity they wanted to support, and later presented them with donation checks to one of the many volunteer elves.
“We have 14 charities that have been vetted and approved by the Philanthropy Committee,” explained Catherine Reichert, event co-chair with Tina Wilcox. “Clients of these charities are typically seniors, veterans and children who would most likely have a bleak holiday season. We have already identified what each agency needs, whether it be bicycles for kids, picnic tables for seniors, or gift cards for families. We collect all the donations and then buy what they requested.”
The joyous task of presenting the gifts to the agencies is handled by elves designated to liaise between the agency organization and Grand Harbor.
“While we all come to the Evening of Giving to enjoy the wonderful food and company of our neighbors, the real joy comes in knowing we have helped someone and to know how appreciated the gifts are,” said Wilcox. “Last year we received a thank-you note from a woman who received one of our holiday gifts. She said it was her only gift and that she really thought she was totally forgotten and invisible. She was not forgotten as a result of this event and that moment of joy was priceless.”
Grand Harbor generously sponsored the entire event, providing all the sumptuous food, drinks, entertainment and staff, and corporate sponsors covered all the other administrative costs, so that 100 percent of the donations could benefit the selected charities.
“Some members who don’t normally come out, come for the free food and drink,” chuckled Dale Jacobs, president of Grand Harbor Community Outreach. “But most come for the satisfaction that they are making a difference in people’s lives. Our selection this year spans an interesting group with a wide range of ages, health and housing needs.”
This year’s agencies are: The Source, Camp Haven, Education Foundation of IRC, Senior Resource Association, Children’s Home Society, CHS Transitional Home, St. Frances Manor, Guardian Ad Litem, R.C.M.A. (Redlands Christian Migrant Assn.), Veterans Council of IRC, Indian River Golf Foundation pre-school S.N.A.G. (starting new at golf) program, Solaris Senior Living, Hope for Families Center and Bike Walk Indian River County.
Article by: Kerry Firth, correspondent
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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