The Grand Harbor Clubhouse was illuminated by twinkling lights for a Starry Starry Night Gala Dinner and Auction to benefit the Grand Harbor Community Outreach program. The formal gala is the largest fundraising event for the community-based nonprofit, which supports 32 local charities.

Residents dressed in their finest evening attire for an impressionistic night of sensory delights that included exotic appetizers, expressive wines, an elegant dinner, a live auction and exuberant dancing.

The clubhouse was magically transformed by Sue Post and Kelli Martin into a dreamscape worthy of a painting. Towering centerpieces featured tall glass vases with soft lighting, and elegant white feathers which reflected the lights, giving the effect of their dancing on the ceiling.

“We start planning the theme and decorations before Christmas, but we only started assembling it three days ago,” said Post. “We only had a couple of hours to decorate the clubhouse today, so we have to be very organized. We’ve been doing this together since 2011 so we’ve got it down to a science.”

“We raised over $65,000 at this event last year and half of it came from auction items,” said Susanne Sweeny, co-chair with Diane DeFrancisci. “The other half was from the angel auction, where residents can donate to one of our three designated causes. This year those categories were veterans, children and homeless. We collect the donations and turn them over to our philanthropy committee, who decide which charities to support.”

In keeping with the Starry Starry Night theme, 14 original pieces of artwork were created and donated by Grand Harbor residents for the silent auction, which also included numerous other items, and even an evening dinner with Winston Scott, retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut.

Live-auction items included extravagant private dinner parties, vacation stays, a Caribbean cruise and a beautiful recreation of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting painted by local artist Cynthia Kusmer.

“All of the auction items were donated by residents or sponsors so that 100 percent of the earnings goes directly to charity,” explained DeFrancisci. “This evening is the direct result of residents giving their time, talent and treasures for other residents to purchase. Grand Harbor is a very tight-knit, philanthropic community and this just makes giving even more enjoyable.”

The Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program, nominated by the Veterans Council of Indian River, was recognized with the 2018 Outstanding Group Supporting Philanthropy award at November’s National Philanthropy Day Awards Dinner.

“We focus on combating generational poverty,” explained Doug Sweeny, ex-officio. “We’ve adopted Gifford as a community, and provide them with the help they need to lift themselves up and help themselves through jobs, family stability and education. Those three things work together for good. We work with United Against Poverty and their job readiness STEP program, and we’ve partnered with community leaders to host two job fairs, where at least 50 people secured jobs.”

Last year the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program raised $338,000 for charity through their annual fund drive and special events; overall gifts have exceeded $4 million since its inception 18 years ago.