In golf terms, the 11th annual Antique and Exotic Car and Boat Show hosted by Wheels & Keels at The Moorings Yacht & Country Club shot a “Captain Kirk” – taking the event to a place “where no ball has ever gone before.”
But instead of golf balls, the first hole of the Pete Dye Signature Golf Course was filled with more than 115 antique and exotic cars, motorcycles and boats, each affording stylish travel means, whether via wheels or keels.
The two-day event kicked off Friday evening with cocktails, a live auction and dinner in the Governor’s Lounge, where intimate introductions of the seven nonprofit beneficiaries were featured.
“When we started this way back when our objective was to get to charities that needed a kick,” said Vincent DeTurris, Wheels & Keels Foundation president, “we found the right charities and, so far, we’ve done very well. We started with charities that specifically used the funds to enhance the lives of children and adults who need it. We are not a brick-and-mortar foundation. If you want to build a building, go someplace else. We want to be able to touch the children and the adults and give them what they need.”
He explained they wanted to support local nonprofits that serve children and adults so that they might create better lives for their clients.
Auctioneer Wesley Davis tempted attendees with an eclectic array of live-auction items that included sailboat naming rights, golf with former Navy SEALs, a rowing adventure, and a sleek mahogany runabout.
This year, proceeds from the Wheels & Keels event, which has donated more than $500,000 since its inception, supported seven local nonprofits.
- The Youth Sailing Foundation, which has been funded since the start of W&K, provides children with the opportunity to learn how to sail while building confidence and self-esteem.
- The Arc of Indian River County promotes and protects the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Lines in the Lagoon, a youth-founded and run fishing tournament, raises awareness about the lagoon in hopes of nurturing future environmental stewards.
- The Navy SEAL Trident House Charities Program provides family support, scholarships, K-9 service dogs, and a haven on the lagoon where SEALs and their families can recover from the ravages of war.
- Vero Beach Rowing promotes and teaches the sport of rowing to develop physical fitness, character, discipline and cooperation.
- New this year, Crossover Mission provides year-round basketball training, mentoring and tutoring to boys and girls by enticing them with their love of the sport.
- Also new, Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast fosters personal achievement through equine-assisted activities for individuals with special needs and cancer victims.
As folks strolled across the green and wandered along the docks at the Saturday show, they encountered such rare beauties as a sleek, silver 1973 Panther; a gorgeous blue 1961 Chrysler Crown Imperial Convertible; and a compact 1952 Nash Rambler. Everywhere they looked there was something to pique everyone’s interest, from classy classics to sassy sports cars.
Navy SEAL Museum COO Rick Kaiser was the guest speaker at a red-carpet award ceremony where awards were presented in 18 categories for car and boat classes categorized by era and model.
For more information, visit wkvero.com.
Photos provided
