Guests went down a delightful ‘rabbit hole’ last Saturday evening at the Wonderland-themed Hibiscus Winter Gala at the Moorings Yacht and Country Club to benefit the Hibiscus Children’s Center.

Co-chairs Petra King and Rosemary Smith took their vision for the event to the creative talents of Pink Pelican Florist in Sebastian, who brought the concept to life with a décor that would have made “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” author Lewis Carroll beam with happiness.

“All the work paid off,” said Smith with a smile.

In addition to lush greenery adorned with hanging teacups, there were wonderful Wonderland characters, including Alice, the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, Mirana the White Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and lots of adorable Live Flowers. In a word – magical.

Following the theme, small keys were at each place setting, and wine glasses had little tags saying ‘Drink Me.’ There was nothing to say ‘Eat Me’ but guests needed no such encouragement to dine on the delicious fillet and crab cake dinner, with a chocolate marquis for dessert.

Despite the lighthearted motif, the subject of the fundraiser was anything but. It prompted guests to be generous in their support of the nonprofit, which provides shelter and guidance to abused and neglected children and teens. Last year, the Hibiscus Village in Vero, which can accommodate 40 residents at a time, served roughly 150 teens, whose average length of stay was three months.

“Hibiscus is a dynamic, evolving agency that is probably the only one of its kind on the Treasure Coast,” said Hibiscus CEO/President Matt Markley, who began in June following the retirement of Paul Sexton. “It is an amazing organization. We provide everything; all the care that a child needs. We are their temporary parent.”

Markley said they are working on a strategic plan that will involve the input of a whole wealth of people, from the board and guilds to law enforcement and the community to determine, “Where should Hibiscus be five years from now?”

In addition to a large assortment of silent-auction items and a live auction featuring a dinner by Chef Leanne Kelleher, owner of The Tides Restaurant, event emcees Anna Valencia Tillery and Beckett Horner presided over a ‘Call of the Heart.’

“You raised a tremendous amount of money at this gala last year. What Hibiscus was able to do with that is to fortify the Village,” said Markley, noting that it enabled them to put on two new roofs and to purchase generators for emergencies.

The focus this year was on transportation.

“One of the things we always need is vans. Transportation is a big deal at Hibiscus Children’s Center,” said Markley, noting that because the vans are continually utilized, the fleet needs to be replaced regularly to ensure the safety of its residents.

Donors responded generously before closing out the evening dancing to the outstanding Gypsy Lane Band.

For more information, visit hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.