Members of the Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast showed some love for the most vulnerable among us, hosting an inaugural Healing Hearts through Exchange Valentine’s Day Party last Thursday at the Indian River Club to raise money to benefit nonprofit programs targeting child abuse prevention.

Love was in the air at the clubhouse, which, in keeping with the theme, the Healing Hearts committee had decorated with hearts and red roses. Guests enjoyed delicious passed hors d’oeuvres as they perused some enviable silent-auction items, including several last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts – a necklace donated by John Michael Matthews, a ring from DuBose Jewelers and a round of golf for four at Indian River Club. There were also lavish food stations, and to work off all that wonderful food, dancing to music from a DJ on the patio overlooking the golf course.

“We hope to make this an annual event; it replaces Night of Lights,” said Spurlock, referencing a fundraiser they previously hosted around Christmastime. “We’ve definitely encouraged singles to come.”

The club’s other fundraising efforts include a Sporting Clay Shoot, which made its debut last October, a springtime golf tournament and, of course, the hugely popular Vero Beach Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, from which proceeds are shared with other local Exchange Clubs and the Veterans Council of Indian River County.

“We decided to name it Healing Hearts through Exchange because even though we’re raising money for children this year, we do have Americanism, which helps veterans, and we do all kinds of community service,” said Spurlock. “So we thought, well, that could apply to just about anything in the future.”

The youngest of the local Exchange Clubs, this one was founded in 1989 and, in addition to fundraising, provides services to various local nonprofits.

Spurlock said they help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, and host a Seniors’ Tea at resident facilities, sitting and chatting with the residents and giving them goody bags filled with items donated by members.

“It’s just really rewarding,” she said.

At Youth Guidance, they work with teens in the Excel Club – a junior version of the Exchange Club started by Kim Prada for middle school and high school students, and they also volunteer at neighborhood and beach cleanups.

“We just like to have fun,” said Spurlock with a laugh. “We do fun things in order to provide dollars for the prevention of child abuse. Every year we do something a little different.”

Janean Barrows said she was introduced to the club by Sam LaFevers and joined in November. She said she has enjoyed learning about various aspects of the community through their twice monthly meetings, which feature guest speakers representing local nonprofit organizations.

The Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast meets at noon on the first and third Thursday of the month at CJ Cannon’s.

For more information, visit TCExchangeclub.org.