It wasn’t a flight of fancy that sent the members of Grand Harbor on a whirlwind trip during the Adventure Awaits travel-themed Grand Harbor Community Outreach fundraiser at the Grand Harbor Clubhouse.
Guests metaphorically stamped their philanthropic passports to support GHCOP efforts to transform lives, strengthen families, and improve the community by providing grants to 35 nonprofits centered on health, education and human services, with a focus on homelessness, veterans in need, mental health and at-risk children.
While the décor was jet-set-inspired with a worldly flair, the evening’s mission was local, with organizers setting a bold $1 million fundraising goal to support county residents.
Janine Nebons, the nonprofit’s board president, thanked the “glue gun brigade,” the Grand Harbor staff, and committee members for pulling every detail of the evening together.
Nebons asked the crowd to picture “… a mother lying awake wondering how she’s going to keep the lights on, a senior deciding which medication they can afford this month and which one they can’t, and a child going to sleep not knowing if tomorrow will be safer than today,” calling them just a few of the stark realities that exist beyond the club’s gates.
“They live right here. In our community. Not far away. Not in some other city. Right here in Indian River County,” said Nebons.
“And tonight, because you are in this room, some of those stories are going to change. That’s why this evening is not just a fundraiser. It’s not just a party. It’s not just an auction. It is a night of hope. It is a night of possibility. It is a night when generosity becomes life-changing,” Nebons added.
She explained that the $1 million goal will provide holiday support, fund 35 local nonprofits, and create an emergency safety net for families facing unexpected crises.
“The real story is what happens because of those dollars. A family stays in their home. A veteran gets back on his feet. A child gets fed. A senior gets dignity instead of despair. That’s what you make possible,” said Nebons.
She introduced Tony Zorbaugh, executive director of the Source, an organization that lives that mission daily.
Zorbaugh showed a short video featuring a Dining with Dignity participant who became homeless after a medical discharge from the military. He started the program at the Source just two days after arriving in Vero Beach and is now employed and back on track.
Special recognition was given to Dr. Thomas Balshi, whose Dignity Smiles program has made a profound impact on the lives of clients at the Source.
Encouraging generous bidding on the exciting live-auction items, Nebons told guests that organizations such as the Source can’t do the work without their help.
“Every single dollar raised tonight stays right here in our community. Every bid card raised is a hand reaching out. Every bid is a decision to change someone’s future,” said Nebons.
She reminded them that the real prize wasn’t what they win, but what someone else gets to keep: “Their home. Their stability. Their dignity. Their second chance. Tonight, together, we are going to prove once again what Grand Harbor does best. We show up. We step up. And we take care of our neighbors.”
The evening culminated with a paddle raise for their Angel Fund, a way for guests to bridge the gap to stability and opportunity by giving from the heart.
For more information, visit ghcop.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
