VERO BEACH — Indian River Habitat for Humanity honored its Cornerstone and Builders’ Guild donors at its annual Heroes with Hearts Celebration Feb. 28 at Northern Trust Bank.
The evening included passed hors d’oeuvres by Elizabeth D. Kennedy and Co. and music by a string quartet from Vero Beach High School, the Stringsations.
The 140 attendees enjoyed a video of Habitat’s current board Chairman J. Earl Morgan III (Northern Trust Senior Vice-President) singing a Habitat version of “Tomorrow,” assisted by elementary students Sophia Heran and Catherine Caldwell, and recorded at the recent Habitat Volunteer Appreciation Night.
Current Habitat homeowner Michelle Washington gave a testimonial on her journey to Habitat homeownership and how it has positively impacted the lives of herself and her family.
A highlight of the evening was the showing of a PowerPoint presentation honoring one of Habitat’s most dedicated and effective long-time supporters, Brad Burnham, who passed away Dec. 21, 2011.
A resident of The Moorings, Burnham was responsible for his community building, to date, 51 Habitat homes, and for encouraging other gated communities to support Habitat as well, resulting in an additional 64 homes. Habitat CEO Andy Bowler called Burnham “Habitat’s No. 1 cheerleader.”
The attendees were visibly moved as they watched “Brad Burnham: A Book of Memories,” a scrapbook of photos of Brad on the jobsite and with friends, neighbors and home buyers who received the benefit of his support, encouragement and enthusiasm through the years.
Directing the event was Habitat Development Manager Peggy Gibbs, CFRE.
