It was a holly jolly evening as residents of the Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club gathered for the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program’s annual Evening of Giving, celebrating their dedication to the mission of the nonprofit with a Jingle and Mingle Party.
The Golf Club buzzed with holiday cheer as guests mingled over Jingleberry cosmos and champagne before indulging in a lovely dinner.
“This is a great way to build community,” said Jan Harrell.
“This evening’s success is your success. By being here, you made it happen,” said Janine Nebons, GHCOP board president, who welcomed everyone as they dined amidst the sparkle of holiday cheer.
Nebons emphasized that the night was dedicated to the spirit of benevolence that defines the club, before introducing the event’s co-chairs, Bonnie Walker, Kate Thomas and Barbara Reiss. She also commented that the committee had been “busy guiding Santa’s sleigh” to ensure the event would be a triumph.
For the past 20 years, Nebons said that proceeds from the Evening of Giving have helped to ensure that those less fortunate in Indian River County “experience the joy of the season.”
And while the holidays are a joyous time for club members, it is not so for many others for whom, “Christmas is just another day.”
She noted that close to 1,000 local children, seniors, homeless individuals and veterans “will receive something special this year to remind them that the season of giving is real” and that members of the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program truly care about them.
Before the night concluded, over $25,000 had already been contributed. The event is part of a larger overall fundraising goal of raising over $1 million this year to benefit local charities.
“We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the overwhelming generosity of each and every one of you, both in attendance here tonight and those that may be near and far, and many that have already headed home for the holidays,” said Nebons.
As guests prepared to depart, they were encouraged to take home small holiday bags filled with chocolate hugs, kisses and jingle bells.
“These little tokens of appreciation represent the smiles from those children, the appreciation of the homeless, the added joy from the veterans, and the sincere gratitude from the seniors that you will never know or meet,” said Nebons.
“Tonight, as we gather to kick off the holiday season at Grand Harbor, we dedicate this evening’s festivities to honor the volunteers who each contribute to making the holidays special for their agencies,” added Nebons, referencing the ladies who liaise with the various nonprofits they assist.
The festivities were capped off with a spectacular dessert bar. The sugary spectacle left the crowd in high spirits, ensuring they made their way home with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.
Founded in 2001, GHCOP is the philanthropic arm of the Grand Harbor residential community, channeling the resources and generosity of its members to support vulnerable populations throughout Indian River County.
For more information, visit ghcop.org.
Photos by Amy Saville
