Vero’s littlest residents were on the minds of guests at a successful Starfest fundraiser to benefit Childcare Resources of Vero Beach. The double-header, co-chaired by Barbie Horton, Joan Gee and Mary Sue Brown, included a luncheon at the Quail Valley River Club followed with an evening Under the Stars at Quail Valley at the Pointe, each featuring special guest, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. (ret.) Michael Hall.
An annual highlight of the luncheon is the presentation of the Founders’ Award, which recognizes the outstanding service and dedication of CCR volunteers.
Carol Buhl, 2025 recipient, presented the award to Susie Hunter for her long-term commitment to improving the lives of children through education.
Tracy Sorzano, board president, gave an update on their Transforming Tomorrow Campaign, a $14 million initiative to fund a new facility in the heart of downtown Vero. They are on track for a 2026 move-in date for the campus, which will have expanded space for classrooms, therapy sessions and professional learning.
Shannon McGuire Bowman, executive director, spoke in a video of CCR’s three-pronged approach: a NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited educational component; an on-campus wellness and early intervention program; and a professional learning outreach program to support the early education sector as a whole.
The video illustrated how a once-shy child, whose parents are employed as a nurse and a firefighter, is progressing through their strategic care.
“Each piece works hand-in-hand to create lasting change. Together, these programs strengthen the early learning sector and system and provide meaningful support to families while benefiting the entire community,” said Bowman.
“Because they know their daughter is safe, supported and learning in Childcare Resources, they are able to go and work each day and serve our community with confidence. What happens inside our classrooms reaches far beyond our walls. It strengthens families, supports essential workers, and creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire community and our economy,” said Bowman.
Introducing Hall, Bowman said his leadership didn’t end with retirement, but has continued through his work with Mission: Readiness, where he advocates for early childhood education as a crucial investment in our nation’s future.
“All that you’ve accomplished stands as a beacon, a hope for younger people and communities, an example of what we need to do more of in this country,” said Hall, calling the energy at the CCR campus palpable and inspiring.
Early in life, Hall said he learned about love, discipline and manners, including the adage that ‘If you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything at all.’
“A whole lot of people in this country miss that point. And it’s a critical point because we can’t afford to be bipolar. We have to come together.”
Other lessons learned were to never be late, resulting in his entering the Air Force rather than the Navy, and the decision to “break the silence” by reaching out to others to discuss their differences.
Hall recalled when Gen. Creech shifted the paradigm from ordering people what to do and how to do it, to relaying what needed to be done and letting diverse groups collaborate and determine the best approach. He also stressed the importance of having strong family support, a shared sense of community and treating everyone with fairness, dignity and respect.
“That’s the definition of equal opportunity. When you talk about things like diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity, they’re so important,” said Hall.
With Mission: Readiness, an initiative of the Institute for Child Success comprised of some 800 retired admirals and generals, he lobbies at the federal and state level to address early childhood education and nutrition.
Hall said some 70 percent of applicants are ineligible to serve in the armed forces due to a lack of critical thinking skills, health, obesity, substance abuse or criminal records, which has become a major national security issue.
The fix, he said, is to give children a good educational and nutritional start in life, likening it to building a nurturing environment for a successful harvest. Hall also serves on the board of the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, which promotes STEM-based critical thinking and aerospace through extensive educational outreach programs such as Flying Start, where young people learn about aerospace, honor the past and prepare for the future.
For more information, visit ChildcareResoursesIR.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
