VERO BEACH — Guests received the full red-carpet treatment at an inaugural Red Tie cocktail party at Costa d’Este Resort Friday evening. The sold-out party was hosted by Red Tie Charitable Events co-founders Dale Driver and Brian Storey to benefit the Hibiscus Children’s Center.
Although this was their first foray into the event field on their own, the pair already has their sight set on managing events on a nationwide basis.
As he snapped away, capturing glammed guests posed beside a sponsor logoed backdrop, Storey, a Vero Beach native explained, “As a photographer I go to events constantly and thought – we can do this for a cause. We really want to give back to the community. We found a charitable organization that we really look up to.”
They reached out to the Hibiscus Children’s Center because of Driver’s particular link and then literally went to town, making contacts and garnering support from local businesses. Hibiscus is committed to helping children who are victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Driver, born into the Florida foster care system, spent his entire childhood being shuttled from one foster family to the other, living in 24 homes before finally being wrapped into the arms of a loving family at age 17.
“I was given an amazing opportunity by a family that took me in and became my family forever,” said Driver, now 28 years-old. “They were just very loving. They tried to teach me that family sticks together no matter what. That’s what a real family is; it’s about that kind of encouragement and support. It doesn’t matter if you’re a blood relative or not.”
After studying at Florida Christian College with a goal toward becoming a missionary, he decided his impact might be too limited.
“I think that you are limited in the influence that you can have if you’re only focused on reaching out to like-minded people; you lose a whole other audience.”
He worked for eight years in the Quick Service Restaurant industry, incorporating nonprofit involvement on a national scale for restaurants brands such as Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and In and Out Burger, before opting to become his own boss.
“For me personally, I decided that I wanted to start something on my own and give back to foster youth like myself,” said Driver. “It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to have an impact in someone’s life – even one person. The percentage of the failure rate for foster youth in the United States is 80 percent when they age out of the system. By fail, it means they wind up on the streets, on drugs, in jail or even dead. I just felt that no one would be as relatable as me to these kids.”
Driver said his tumultuous early childhood contributed to his being a “rather rebellious youth” because, “I was angry.”
But all that was behind him at Friday night’s successful event. There were many Hibiscus Children’s Center supporters in attendance, including Amy Patterson who said that as soon as she saw the invitation, she knew it was something they must go to.
“There are a lot of nonprofits in this town that they could have picked, so we’re thrilled,” said Patterson.
Tom Maher, Hibiscus Children’s Center executive director was equally delighted, and was especially pleased that Driver developed into a gifted entrepreneur despite a life of adversity.
“Dale and David [Hudson] came to talk to the kids today,” said Maher. “They had about a 45-minute concert and then talked to them about how to be successful in life.”
David Hudson, an up and coming musician and the younger brother of pop icon Katy Perry, headlined the event and rocked the room, belting out a selection of his own songs to obvious approval by the crowd.
Later in the evening, guests were treated to a fashion show featuring lovely models, dolled up and coiffed by A Pampered Life and Polished Hair Salon, who walked the runway showing off fabulous fashions from Talulah’s Boutique.
Guests had also gotten into the spirit of the evening, donning red dresses, ties and accessories to emphasize the theme. Explaining the Red Tie symbolism, Driver said it represents the bleeding passion of the heart to tie the community together.
He has also launched a Red Letters Project, urging members of the community to write encouraging letters to foster youth.
“Even if people don’t have the money or time to give back – just take the time to handwrite a note to a child saying, “You are worth it!” It would mean more to them than any monetary gift; it would empower them.”
