Youthful exuberance was on full display last Wednesday evening at the 17th annual Angels Dinner to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County.

The Corporate Air hangar was decorated in a sea of colorful question mark balloons to highlight the event’s Trivia Night theme, which challenged roughly 400 guests to ‘Get your smarty pants on and have some fun!’ The program even included an informative trivia game about the local clubs.

Arriving guests were met by polite representative members of the Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere Clubs, eager to thank their benefactors. Attendees walked through mock club rooms where youngsters showed off their athletic prowess, arts and crafts skills, and brain power.

Afterward, co-host Jaquan Pledger and Kiara Castro introduced Youth of the Year Finalists who led the Pledge, Club Code and Invocation before guests enjoyed a finger-licking-good fried chicken dinner by Elizabeth D. Kennedy Catering.

“The Angels Dinner is the most important fundraiser we have for the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Dan Somers, board co-chairman. “All scholarship money raised tonight makes it possible for hundreds of kids in our community to spend their summer in a safe and educational environment.”

His co-chairman Bill Munn spoke about a new Destinations program to expose teens to career and educational opportunities. He said members are also participating in Float Hope swim meets, basketball and soccer tournaments, and a decathlon-style track meet, and reiterated that they will again operate summer camps at each location.

“We provide scholarships to those in need and no child is refused participation due to his or her inability to pay,” said Munn, adding that last year the event raised $115,000, funding 450 scholarships, and their goal is 475 this year.

Elizabeth Thomason, executive director, introduced Destiny Patterson, the 2018 Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year winner, who spoke about her “personal brand.”

“I personally believe that my personal brand focuses mostly on my leadership, independence and desire for success,” said Patterson, a VBHS senior who plans to study law at Florida State University. “As I move on to the next chapter in my life, I want to inspire others to follow their dreams. If your dreams aren’t scary then they aren’t big enough.”

“We love the Clubs and everything they do for the kids,” said Nancy Lynch, event co-chair with Marcy DeWolfe. “We are putting huge smiles on these kids’ faces, we are giving them a sense of belonging and, mostly, we are giving them a sense of self-worth and confidence in themselves.”

Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River serve roughly 1,500 children and teens in its afterschool and summer programs. For more information, visit bgcirc.org.