We’ve all seen the photos and news footage of the utter devastation Hurricane Dorian wreaked upon our neighbors and friends in the Bahamas. Because so many of us think of the Bahamas as our own backyard playground and friendly neighbor, we all wanted to help rebuild this magical paradise which harbors so many memories for the people of the Treasure Coast.
Last month, the Dyer Difference Award Committee in Indian River County decided unanimously that the Dyer Difference Award in Indian River County in September would be utilized to help fund relief efforts.
In St. Lucie County, the October Dyer Difference Award has been earmarked for Bahamas relief. Additionally, both Dyer Chevrolet Mazda Subaru dealership in Vero Beach and Dyer Chevrolet, Fort Pierce have been collecting supplies to be distributed through Missionary Flights International to those most affected by the storm.
In addition to the hurricane relief distributed through the Dyer Difference Award and the collection of supplies needed for sustenance and beginning the rebuilding process, the October Dyer Difference Award in Indian River County was presented to United Against Poverty – UAP.
The organization’s mission serves over 600 individuals in poverty each day through programs which focus on crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidies, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and active referrals to other collaborative service providers in Indian River County.
The organization is known for its good work and its annual Thanksgiving Day Trot Against Poverty – a professionally timed race that attracts more than 2,000 runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages and abilities and a whole lot of spectators cheering on the trotters. This year, the event will be punctuated by an exclamation point sharing the holiday spirit of gratitude and helping celebrate the Dyer Difference.
Since relocating to the area in 2008, each month, Dyer Chevrolet staff members at Dyer Chevrolet Fort Pierce and Dyer Chevrolet Mazda Subaru in Vero Beach meet to review the applications which have been submitted in their respective counties and select one non-profit organization to receive that month’s recognition and a $3,000 award in each county.
For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations between the two counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions.
If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.