Josie and Jim Harris PHOTO BY AMY SAVILLE

There was nothing ‘old fashioned’ about this year’s Grand Harbor Gone Mad Dinner and Auction to raise funds for the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program. Don Draper himself would have raised a glass in a toast to the elegant “Mad Men”-themed event at the Grand Harbor Golf Club.

More than 150 guests started the evening with a cocktail hour on the Spoonbill patio, complete with a raw bar. Afterwards, everyone moved to the dining room where they dined on a menu of character-named dishes, from Don Draper’s carving station to Joan’s truffle-mushroom risotto.

Earlier in the evening, guests were treated to musical standards from back in the day by Lou Wilkin, and the Pink Spice Band continued the musical journey down memory lane later on, along with a live auction that featured artwork, trips, golf and various packages.

After learning from philanthropy committee members about several of the 32 local charitable programs funded through the GHCOP, paddles were raised during their annual Angel Auction.

“We want to extend our deepest gratitude for your presence this evening and ongoing financial support. The board cannot award grants and help people without your direct involvement,” said Jim Harris, event co-chair with his wife Josie.

“Your actions are tangible and real examples of what kindness, love and generosity can do for people less fortunate than ourselves. It’s truly remarkable and amazing what we can accomplish together as a community. Most importantly, the money raised this evening stays right here in Indian River County,” he added.

“We raised more money through our event than in the history of any single event at Grand Harbor. We raised $330,000,” said Harris.

He explained that this year, they made a preemptive effort to increase contributions by reaching out to their friends and asking for early financial commitments prior to the gala, which is the largest single fundraiser for the GHCOP.

“The charities supported by Outreach rely on the grants to keep going. And the need for additional funding is more important now than ever before, given the increased number of people being served, coupled with skyrocketing costs to operate,” noted Harris.

He said the GHCOP provides grants to nonprofits that assist at-risk children, homeless families, older adults and military veterans.

“We’ve seen first-hand the need. There are a lot of very successful people that are retired in Grand Harbor and they’re very cognizant of the fact that they have many blessings and they want to give back,” said Harris.

For more information, visit ghcop.org.

Photos by Amy Saville