Page 4 - Stuart Exposure - December '19

Page 4, Stuart Exposure

HoLiday HappeninGs

Top Three Ways To Spread giving community,” said Toys for Tots collections sites until Thursday, Dec. 12. All toys
“We live in a very
collected in Martin County stay in Martin County to make the
Holiday Cheer In Martin United Way of Martin holidays bright for local children.
County County CEO Carol G. 3. Give A Financial Gift To Cover The Cost Of A Gift Card,
Houwaart-Diez. “Now
Bike Or Holiday Meal
Monetary donations are welcomed. “Monetary donations
United Way Of Martin County Spreads is the time for people to allow us the opportunity to purchase toys where we have the
pitch in and help. Our
Holiday Cheer For Families Facing Hard greatest fear is that we largest shortages,” Houwaart-Diez said. Shortfalls are typically
Times: Here’s How You Can Help won’t have enough toys for children 13 to 15 years of age because this is the most
The holidays are quickly approaching and for many children and meals for all of the challenging group to shop for. “It’s heartbreaking to see bare
presents are not guaranteed. With Martin County’s poverty level families we’ll serve this tables for the older age groups, so this year we will be providing
hovering at 10 percent and an additional 28 percent struggling year. We are encouraging gift cards for teens – but we need donations to make that happen,”
to afford basic needs, it won’t be a Merry Christmas for an people to shop early so Volunteers from Florida Power Houwaart-Diez added.
alarming number of local families. that every toy can be and Light Company, Ron Hix and United Way is also conducting a bike drive in partnership
For more than 30 years, United Way of Martin County has counted and sorted in Diane Nguyen with Zweben Law Group. The goal of the bike drive is to cover
spread holiday cheer to thousands of less fortunate children time for distribution.” the cost of 300 bikes to be given to children in need during
through the United Way Holiday Project. distribution. A $60 donation to the effort covers the cost of a
With help from hundreds of volunteers, United Way Top Three Ways To Spread Cheer In Martin bike and helmet thanks to a partnership with Beyond Bikes.
transforms the Martin County fairgrounds to Santa’s County “There’s nothing more magical for a child than waking up on
workshop to help bring Christmas joy to local families in 1. Volunteer Christmas morning to find a shiny new bicycle underneath the
need. As the local coordinating agency for Toys for Tots, The volunteers behind the United Way Holiday Project tree and through our efforts we hope 300 children will be able to
United Way collects toys from 100 Toys for Tots collection spend weeks planning and preparing for the distribution experience that magic,” said Gene Zweben, Zweben Law Group.
sites, then rallies its volunteers to sort and categorize toys so event, which serves nearly 3,000 children in Martin County. A financial contribution can also cover the cost of a holiday
that parents “shop” for toys specific to their children’s interest Volunteers are needed to sort and categorize toys in advance meal that is provided to families during distribution.
during a two-day distribution event. Participating families, of toy distribution so that parents can easily “shop” for toys For more information about the nearby collection sites,
who are referred and screened by nonprofit organizations specific to their children’s interest. This is the perfect activity volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, please visit www.
and schools, are also provided with a holiday meal. for a civic group or family. UnitedWayMartin.org/HolidayProject.
Hundreds of volunteers are also needed to assist during the About United Way Of Martin County
two-day distribution event on Dec. 18 and 19. To volunteer United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives by
during distribution, individuals must be ages 18 and up and mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972, the
can serve in 3-hour shifts as personal shoppers, directing traffic, United Way has been working to create long-term social change
distributing food, and more. and provide support to Martin County residents by investing
2. Donate A New, Unwrapped Toy in programs that strive to: enhance healthy living, improve
United Way will be accepting new, unwrapped toys at education, and support financial stability.

Steven Kowalski, Amber Stephan and Shannon Murphy with
Merrill Lynch handed out turkeys to families at United Way
Holiday Project distribution.

Staff at Sandhill Cove Retirement Living sorted toys in Santa’s workshop to R.S.V.P. volunteer Sharon Leary assisted families
prepare for the United Way Holiday Project. as they selected presents for their children.

The Dolphin Bar And Shrimp House’s Golf from page 1 Players and friends who attended the awards banquet
Publix Super Markets associates packed bags of groceries had numerous chances for raffle prizes, including restaurant
to provide families with staples for a holiday meal. The fundraiser was embraced by people and businesses gift cards, event tickets, and more golf outings, thanks to the
in the community, notably, Ken Duke and Friends Celebrity generosity of many donors. Each player also took home a
Pro-Am. PGA Golf Professional and philanthropist Ken well-stocked swag bucket.
Duke created the nonprofit to support local and national About Treasure Coast Food Bank
organizations. Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and
“This was a fantastic event at two beautiful venues, and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast,
we’re so grateful to The Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House and providing the community each year with millions of meals
its management team, Dustin Spadavecchia and Brian Kelly, valued at more than $50 million through robust programs
for making us a part of it,” said Judith Cruz, president and and in partnership with 400 charitable organizations in
CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “Hunger is a constant Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties.
for some people in our community, and it’s especially In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast
heartwarming to have support like this for improving the Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs
lives of those who don’t always know where their next meal that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but
is coming from.” help individuals and families gain long-term food security,
The winning team of the tournament was the Edward better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast
Jones Investment Dream Team. Teammates Ted Tavolario, Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide
Randy McCroby, Ray Davies, and Steve Elliot shot a 12 under network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger
par in the best ball scramble. McCroby also won the prize for in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast
the longest drive of the day. Food Bank, call (772) 489-3034, log on to stophunger.org,
The award for closest to the pin went to Sevan Hashas. visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or
And Gabriel Ghazel impressed the crowds with the biggest follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.
shot of the day on hole No. 12. He shot a hole in one on the Photos by Jacqueline Kenny
par-3, 127-yard hole.

Winning team Steve Elliot, Ted Tavolario, Ray Davies,
Mason Cremasco and Gabriel Ghazel and Randy McCroby