Some 200 guests gathered at the lovely home of Bill Locke and Carin Mei for the annual Orchid Outreach Cocktail Party, celebrating the presentation of 24 scholarships to Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club employees and their families, first responders and their families, and other qualified local students in need.
As guests enjoyed an impressive assortment of hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared and served by committee members, they mingled and visited with those scholars who were able to attend and their families.
“On behalf of the members of Orchid Outreach, thank you for your commitment to our scholarship program,” said committee chair Maureen Baus in her welcome address.
“Since its inception 24 years ago, Orchid Outreach has given the gift of an education to students by awarding $755,000 and 208 scholarships. Thanks to your continued generosity, we’ve raised over $150,000 this year and now we have a combined corpus at the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County and at the Indian River State College Foundation of over $1.6 million.”
As a result, she said, they will be able to continue enabling qualified students to achieve their educational dreams in the years to come.
“This year, we awarded 25 scholarships totaling $69,400. Twenty-three of those went to students attending Indian River State College. We are fortunate to have eight of those scholars here with us this evening. I’m sure that you will recognize several of them, either because they are members of Orchid staff, or they are second- or third-year Orchid scholars, which means we have really helped them through their journey through Indian River State College.”
The scholars in attendance, many of whom were pursuing degrees in the health and education fields, were each given an opportunity to share a little of their journey. As one, each offered their heartfelt thanks for the support they’ve been provided in pursuit of their dreams.
They relayed that the scholarships have made an enormous difference in their lives, noting that without Orchid residents investing in their futures, they would not otherwise have been able to attend college.
Many of the sentiments echoed those of Rossie Jenkins, now a registered nurse who is furthering her education in hopes of eventually becoming a nurse practitioner.
“Let’s start by saying how deeply grateful I am for this foundation, for every donor, and for every person who believed in me when the journey felt overwhelming. If it weren’t for you all, I truly would not have made it through nursing school, financially or emotionally,” said Jenkins.
“Thank you all for sharing your information with us and we all wish you continued success,” said Baus, after each had a chance to share their gratitude.
“As I said before, the giving spirit of the Orchid members is one of the reasons that Orchid is such a special place. Once again, thanks for your generous support of Orchid Outreach.”
Scholarships administered by the Indian River State College Foundation are for full- and part-time students pursuing IRSC associate, bachelor and certificate programs. Scholarships administered by the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County are awarded to full-time students working toward bachelor degrees at four-year institutions throughout the country.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
