Sponsors, players and beneficiary representatives enjoyed a Player Reception at the lovely Windsor Beach Club on the Friday evening preceding the seventh biannual Windsor Charity Polo Cup. After mingling over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres they learned more about the work of this year’s grantees: Homeless Children’s Foundation of Indian River County, Indian River Land Trust and Ballet Vero Beach.
In her welcome, Jane Smalley, Windsor’s marketing director and event sponsorship co-chair, said the event was founded by a group of Windsor members in 2012 and has since raised over $2 million, most of which was distributed within this county.
After thanking Windsor and the Weston family for sponsoring the reception, and Max Secunda, director of equestrian operations, for assembling the exceptional roster of players, Smalley recognized and introduced Kim Reckley, senior vice president, Client & Community Relations Director of PNC Bank, the presenting sponsor since 2018.
The three recipients each expressed their gratitude, before speaking about their organizations.
Hannah Hite, Homeless Children’s Foundation executive director, said HCF was founded in 2015 by Windsor members and now supports more than 400 homeless children annually, ages 6 weeks to 20 years old, with year-round afterschool and summer camp enrichment programs.
Through partnerships with local programs, they ensure inclusiveness for homeless children, granting them opportunities that are vital to their long-term success.
Additionally, their parents can save the money they earn at work rather than spend it on costly childcare.
“Our work is urgent, and these children are counting on us today,” said Hite.
Ken Grudens, Indian River Land Trust executive director, said IRLT was initially formed in 1990 to save the McKee Botanical Garden from development, before eventually becoming separate nonprofits. To date, the Land Trust has protected more than 12,000 acres of land and 12 miles of lagoon shoreline.
Their work, he said, encompasses what they call the three P’s: ‘Protect’ the waterfront; ‘Provide’ access for public recreation, education and research; and ‘Preserve’ and restore the natural habitat.
Recent projects include the Oyster Bar Marsh, a 155-acre property with observation decks and an upcoming state-of-the-art living classroom at the 226-acre Coastal Oaks Preserve, which possesses every type of habitat in the region on one property. And a Septic to Sewer initiative will help connect 30 low-income homes to the sewer, rather than the aging septic systems that pollute the lagoon.
“It is exceptionally sweet that we are sharing this with Ken and Hannah and their amazing organizations that we partner with on a regular basis. And we have so much fun doing so,” said Adam Schnell, artistic director and CEO of Ballet Vero Beach.
Now in its 11th season, BVB is receiving national recognition for its innovative performances and its unique educational and community engagement programming.
Although dancing on stage is their primary product, he said they are also taking ballet to places people don’t generally think of, such as working with infants and children at Childcare Resources, and introducing dance to thousands of school children through their Stage to Page Arts Integration program.
“We are so thankful to have been given the space in this community to bring dance to more people than we ever thought possible,” said Schnell.
They brought dance to Windsor that evening too, closing the reception with a group of dancers performing a jazzy piece, to the delight of the crowd.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
