Members of the Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast showed a lot of love for the community while also living up to their motto of “We get things done while having fun” at their third annual Healing Hearts Dinner Dance at the Pointe West Country Club, the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
More than 60 guests enjoyed an evening filled with roses, wine, chocolate and lots of heart. While mingling over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, guests perused an enviable selection of auction items to bid on, and after a delicious dine-around dinner, the DJ cranked up the music for people to dance the night away.
Jon Moses, managing director of Riverside Theatre and an Exchange Club member, even arranged for ticketholders to be given vouchers to attend the upcoming production of “Almost Heaven.”
“We did really well on the auctions,” said board president Robin Dapp. “I was thrilled.”
She explained that Exchange Club members are all volunteers, whose primary goal is to raise and donate funds to local organizations that support child abuse prevention.
“We talk to different youth organizations such as Youth Guidance, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the DCF contract provider in our community, about what needs might be out there and how we can help,” said Dapp.
She explained that a recent project involved donating food items, some clothing and hygiene kits to homeless students that are attending Vero Beach High School.
“So that’s the kind of projects we look to help out with. It’s not necessarily all abuse; it’s basically caring for children in need,” said Dapp.
She explained that while child abuse prevention is the No. 1 pillar of the National Exchange Club, the three other pillars are Americanism, community service and youth programs.
“We help fund youth programs because they are a preventative step,” said Dapp, adding that they also get involved with various Veterans Council programs.
“Some of our members are volunteers or board members of the nonprofits, so we have a nice collection of people throughout the community who are pretty well informed about what the different nonprofits are doing,” said Dapp.
“We’re always looking for new members. We always say we enjoy doing the work, but we have a good time when we do it. We’re not very formal.”
One of their members, Joe Walsh, is currently the State of Florida District President.
“He’s a wonderful man. He is constantly working,” said Dapp. “He literally will go to every club in our community, and he travels around the state trying to form new clubs. He’s just really involved.”
The biennial Vero Beach Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels, is one of the club’s largest fundraisers with proceeds shared among all five local Exchange Clubs and the Veterans Council of Indian River County. This year’s event takes place at the Vero Beach Airport April 30 and May 1.
The Exchange Club of the Treasure Coast meets the first Thursday at noon at CJ Cannon’s and the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Sean Ryan’s Pub. For more information, please visit TC
Exchangeclub.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
