Supporters of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County celebrated “Changing lives for 25 Years” at a special Angels Dinner Silver Jubilee held at the Vero Beach facility. Children from the Vero, Fellsmere and Sebastian clubs happily spoke about their experiences and engaged guests in some of their numerous art, science and musical activities.
As guests settled down for dinner in the impressive gymnasium, a video montage of news clippings and photographs chronicled the growth of the nonprofit, which now serves more than 850 children in three state-of-the-art facilities.
“We know that you’re here tonight to change lives. That’s not a term that we use a lot, but we really have,” said Bill Allard, board co-chair with Paul Hanson, noting that the 25-year legacy of lives changed would not have been possible without their generous support.
“And finally, I’d like to thank the kids and the families of the Boys and Girls Clubs that attend,” said Allard.
“The families of the kids that I’ve encountered have been given an amazing opportunity, and they seek that opportunity, and they make the biggest impact they can in life. They tell some amazing stories, so I’d like to give a round of applause to the families and the kids.”
CEO Elizabeth Thomason spoke of the changes she’s seen in the 14 years that she has been involved.
“I’ve watched thousands of children walk through our doors; some as first graders who I later watched graduate high school. I’ve seen them go off to college and go into the military and do trades along the way, become parents and even return as staff members,” said Thomason.
“Watching these kids grow, persevere and be successful has been one of the greatest successes of my life.”
Several alumni spoke of the indelible impact the clubs have had on their lives. Jesus Cortes-Guzman attended the Fellsmere Club and is now a Fellsmere Police Officer; Selena Carnohan joined the Sebastian Club and is now a wealth management associate with Mike Curley at Morgan Stanley; Ricardo Gamez, who attended the Fellsmere Club, owns a Subway franchise in Vero Beach and is opening a second restaurant; and Jaquan Pledger, of the Vero Club, is now the marketing and special events coordinator for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County.
Jeanna Antinozzi, a six-year member of the Sebastian Club, was introduced as the 2025 Youth of the Year, and will compete at the state level in Tallahassee. As a junior staff member, she said she has seen the positive effect the clubs have on other children, and said it has enabled her to grow beyond her own circumstances.
“I pride myself in knowing that I am going to be a first-generation college student at the University of Miami,” said Antinozzi.
Thomason introduced Georgia Davala and her daughter Ali Thorne, who gifted Antinozzi with a $3,000 George A. Davala III Scholarship Award, in honor of the late George Davala, a former board member who was the driving force behind their Destinations program. Additionally, Thomason said the other YOY finalists would receive $1,000 scholarships.
Special guest Dennis Satyshur, who served as Bent Pine’s first golf professional and was director of golf for some 30 years at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, reminisced about his time 65 years ago with what was then the Boys Club in Erie, Pa.
“What you have here is very special. Take it from me. Great futures start here. And you are the ones who make them possible,” said Satyshur.
“Thank you for believing in our kids, in our mission and in the future we are building together. It has been an incredible 25-year run for our Boys & Girls Clubs, and we’ve only just begun,” said Thomason. “We’re all excited to see what the next 25 years will bring.
For more information, visit BGCIRC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
