A Vanity Fair article written on the 30th anniversary of Truman Capote’s infamous ‘A Night to Remember’ recalled: “If you weren’t invited to Truman Capote’s black-and-white dance in honor of Kay Graham, you simply left town.”
The same could possibly be said for the recent John’s Island Community Service League Gala, An Enchanted Night of Black and White. Unlike the 1966 soiree, though, which was all about power, for the hundreds of guests at the John’s Island celebration, it was all about philanthropy.
The weather was picture perfect as arriving guests gathered for cocktails under the porte-cochère and were greeted by lithesome acrobats pouring champagne, and black and white-clad stilt-walkers, one skillfully playing a violin.
Guests were asked to wear black and white, whether black tie or informal chic, and everyone willingly embraced the theme. Inside, the club was with elegant black and white décor, from the casino in the ballroom to the multiple dancing and dining venues, including a most tempting black and white dessert table.
In her welcome, Delia Willsey JICSL gala chair, thanked everyone for their generous support of the league, which for four decades has raised and distributed millions to benefit the greater community through charitable initiatives and scholarships.
“A big thank you to all our generous sponsors and a special thank you goes out to Bob Gibb and our legacy partnership with John’s Island Real Estate Company. Over the years Bob has been an outstanding supporter of the Service League and those in need,” said Willsey.
Willsey also recognized many of the individual members of her expansive and enthusiastic 60-member gala committee, who “opened their hearts to take part in the planning of the event,” before praising David Colclough, assistant general manager, for guiding her “through every step of this journey,” their “amazing chef Anthony Cole,” and the entire John’s Island team.
In the gala program, Karen Drury, JICSL president, said that their mission has remained the same for the past 43 years.
“We are a nonprofit, member-driven organization involved in raising funds for the operating expenses of charitable agencies in Indian River County. Our focus is on the health, education and human services issues of women, children and families in need, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. That focus also includes scholarships for the post-secondary education of the JI Club’s employees and their children,” wrote Drury.
Using monies raised during the 2021-22 fundraising cycle through contributions, fundraisers and the Tambourine Shop, the John’s Island Community Service League this year provided 42 agencies with $1.186 million in regular grants and $220,000 in strategic grants, plus another $55,000 in scholarships, for a total of $1.463 million. Funds raised at this year’s gala will go toward next year’s distributions. With these most recent allocations, the Service League will have distributed more than $18.5 million since its inception.
For more info, visit jicsl.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
