In matters of the heart, the Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast clearly beats with a desire to help others. Nearly 100 members wore their hearts on their sleeves during the second annual Healing Hearts through Exchange Dinner Dance, held recently at the Indian River Club.
An evening of vino, food and dancing, it was a true testament to the club’s motto: We get things done while having fun.
Guests mingled over drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres as they perused a selection of romantically themed silent- and live-auction items that commanded, “Be Mine!” In addition to lavishing everyone with roses and chocolates, each attendee was given a ticket to view the play “Lost in Yonkers” from presenting sponsor Riverside Theatre.
Later, guests enjoyed a Dine around Dinner at several food stations, before sauntering outside where the DJ cranked up the music for a night of dancing under the brilliance of the Super Snow Moon.
“The fight against child abuse is dear to my heart,” said Kathy Kragh, event co-chair with Sam LaFevers, noting that monies raised will help support local charities.
The romantic evening will help fund local projects that align with the National Exchange Club’s core values of family, community and country in the areas of Americanism, community service, youth programs and the prevention of child abuse. Exchangites seek to “inspire communities to become better places to live” by creating strong, safe communities.
Some of their local projects include providing youth scholarships, backpacks and food for homeless teens; environmental beach cleanups; handing out flags during parades; and working with Habitat for Humanity to build homes.
“I felt like I wasn’t giving enough back to the community,” said LaFevers, a resident of Indian River County for nearly 40 years. “About nine years ago, I discovered the Exchange Club and realized this is a way for me to give back and also have some fun.”
The biennial Vero Beach Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels, is one of the club’s largest fundraisers with proceeds shared among all the local Exchange Clubs and the Veterans Council of Indian River County. This year’s event takes place at the Vero Beach Airport April 25-26.
For more information, visit TCExchangeclub.org.
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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