INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Vero Beach Elks Lodge was transformed into a Las Vegas Casino Friday night to raise funds for a local organization dedicated to meeting the needs of people with developmental disabilities in Indian River County. More than 200 people played Black Jack and Texas Hold-em, spun the roulette wheel, and tried their luck at other games of chance at the second annual Casino Magnifique, with proceeds going to SunUp ARC.
The organization provides a variety of support to 180 clients, including adult day training, behavior analysis and assistance services, residential group homes, supported living and employment services, and respite care.
The festive atmosphere was contagious, and it mattered not if you were an experienced gambler, or a novice.
“We are having a fabulous time,” said Advocacy Committee member Julie McCusker, who attended with her daughter, Natalie Urquhart, a SunUp ARC client, who had just won a gift certificate to Mr. Manatee’s in the Balloon Pop game. “I’ve never gambled before, and we were only going to stay an hour, but I found out that I love playing 21.”
Local banker Karl Steene was impressed with the variety of gambling opportunities.
“They brought in a quality casino operation,” said Steene. “It makes a big difference.”
Prizes included many different packages of body reconstruction from local doctors, massages, a membership to the Jungle Club, Miami Dolphins tickets, rounds of golf at area country clubs, air boat rides, and gift certificates to local restaurants and hotels. The most exciting prize of the evening was a ride for two in the Goodyear Blimp.
“We are coming up on the first anniversary of our merger, which has been a wonderful marriage of two organizations,” said Mary Beth Vallar, Chairperson of the SunUp ARC Board of Directors. “This is our first major fund raising event since the merger, and I am thrilled with the crowd.”
“Elaine Jones and her committee made this wonderful night happen,” said SunUp ARC Marketing Director Noreen Davis. She credited Barrier Island resident Doug Clement, who began volunteering for the organization at the suggestion of his physician, for obtaining many of the prizes.
“He gathered gift certificates, donations, and raffle prizes. He does such magnificent work for this organization,” said Davis.
“I enjoy this work so much,” said Clement. “I don’t mind hearing the word ‘no’, so I’ll ask anyone for anything. There are a lot of hours of work in this room put in by so many of our volunteers. I take very little credit.”
For gamblers who worked up an appetite, there was delicious finger food from Beach Bites, along with a late night taco bar, catered by Adrienne Drew
Adrienne Poteat spent the evening trying to win a prize package consisting of dinner at the Ocean Grill and an overnight stay at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa.
“It is a fun way to help out a good cause,” said Poteat. “You can’t lose.”
