Residents of The Moorings Yacht and Country Club showed a lot of heart over Valentine’s weekend, participating in a variety of activities during the 12th annual Habitat for Humanity Classic Weekend.
Things kicked off Friday with the J. McLaughlin Shopping Spree at the Village Shops. Saturday featured an early morning 5K Fun Run or 1 Mile Walk along the picturesque golf course, 5-Mile Bike Ride through the community and a Hab-A-Tennis team tournament. During the day Monday players teed off in the Golf Tournament or held cards close to the vest in the Bridge Tournament.
The event culminated Monday evening with close to 500 guests enjoying a Habi-Cocktail Party, bidding on a large selection of donated silent and live auction items, purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets, and feasting from sumptuously abundant food stations.
Bringing creativity and freshness to the committee, the event chairmanship rotates from year to year, with couples who assist as co-chairs one year assuming the chairmanship the next. This year David and Chris Smith were assisted by co-chairs Chris and Pam Delaney.
“Our community has been so generous over the years and even more this year,” said Dave Smith. “We appreciate everyone’s support and participation in this event. We know it makes a huge difference for many in our county. We could not do this without the support of our sponsors and participants.”
“We would also like to recognize the many local businesses who have contributed goods and services to make this weekend a success,” added Pat Delaney. “We are so pleased to have their participation. We also could never hold this weekend without the amazing support we get from The Moorings Yacht and Country Club’s terrific staff.”
The Herman F. Becker family has for years been the event’s top sponsor, and members of the family joined in on the action, clad in green apparel while sipping green appletinis.
“I love green; my mother was born on St. Patrick’s Day. Every time we get together we wear green,” said Shirley Becker.
“It’s just unbelievable what The Moorings has done,” said Andy Bowler, Habitat for Humanity of Indian River County executive director.
“The Moorings is a community that truly embraces the whole spectrum of services that Habitat is undertaking here. They step it up and have fun and raise money for their favorite charity all at the same time.”
The Moorings and Habitat partnership began in 1999 and since then, its residents have provided the funding and volunteers needed to build 55 new homes and facilitate seven foreclosures rehabs and 18 neighborhood repair projects. They have also contributed toward $80,000 in academic scholarships, providing Habitat homeowners and their children an opportunity to realize their educational dreams and break the cycle of poverty.
At a Donor Appreciation Reception the next evening at Northern Trust Bank, Bowler outlined new plans to improve the Habitat Home Center ReStore, which opened its doors about 10 years ago after a successful $2.3 million campaign. Living up to its billing as, “The gift that keeps on giving,” the ReStore generated nearly $9 million in revenue as of June 2014.
Envisaging that enhancements will enable sales growth by another 35 percent, the organization plans to phase in an expansion project, estimated to cost around $1.5 million. Upgrades include installing air-conditioning in the warehouse, a covered drive-through drop-off station with upgrades in lighting and signage, and increasing square footage by nearly 50 percent. A grand opening of the rehabbed ReStore is scheduled for the fall of 2016, in line with the affiliate’s 25th anniversary celebration.
