Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - April '20

VOL. 22 NO. 4 www.seabreezepublications.com APRIL 2020

Local Funders Band Together

To Form The COVID-19 Response Fund

By Carrie Lavarnga Ten percent of households in Martin County live in poverty
Recognizing the needs of individuals due to the virus crisis, and another 28 percent are considered income constraint where
local funders have banded together to form the COVID-19 missing one payment makes them unable to meet their most basic
Response Fund. Hosted by The Community Foundation Martin needs like food, housing and healthcare, according to the United
– St. Lucie, the Response Fund will award grants to nonprofits Way of Martin County. That means one in three families will be
that serve the communities’ most vulnerable populations that are disproportionately affected at this time as businesses close and
stressed by the virus outbreak. employees’ hours are reduced or eliminated.
The Community Foundation will work in partnership The COVID-19 Response Fund will prioritize funding for
with local governments and other local funders, including the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the Treasure Coast area with
Children’s Service Councils and United Ways in Martin and St. specific focus on Martin and St. Lucie counties and anticipates
Lucie counties and the Hobe Sound Community Chest to ensure funding these local organizations as quickly as possible.
the fund has maximum reach and effectiveness. Individuals, The following funders are working together to provide the
institutions, companies and other funders are encouraged to contribute to the fund. coordinated relief and recovery application process: Allegany Elizabeth Barbella
The purpose of the Response Fund is to bring together private and public entities that fund Franciscan Ministries, Children’s Services Council of Martin
local nonprofits. “The motivation is to leverage every human and financial resource available to County, Cleveland Clinic-Martin County, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin
strategically invest in nonprofits to help our community through these unprecedented times,” said Counties, Hobe Sound Community Chest, Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation, Mariner Sands
Elizabeth Barbella, president and CEO of The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie. Charity Week, Sailfish Point Foundation and the United Way of Martin County, and many more
A portion of the fund will be used to provide critical financial assistance to qualified economically are joining in this focused relief effort.
disadvantaged individuals and families, through support of community-based organizations that are To give to this Response Fund, go to the website for The Community Foundation of Martin-
directly supporting local families and residents most affected, like the Salvation Army of Martin St. Lucie at www.thecommunityfoundationmartinstlucie.org or call (772) 288-3795. You are also
County or the House of Hope. encouraged to give directly to organizations you wish to help.
It Was A Fabulous February

At Arts Foundation Of Martin County!

By Jackie Holfelder one of the longest running arts events in the area at
In a dizzyingly delightful two-weekend period, the 33 years and counting, took over Memorial Park
Arts Foundation of Martin County presented two of in Stuart.
the season’s most delightful and unique fundraisers. The theme of ArtsFest 2020 was “Succumb to
On Feb. 1, an Italian carnival theme set the mood Your Senses” since the attractions appealed to all
for the 40th Anniversary Gala: Carnevale di mARTin, five senses.
which took place at the Willoughby Golf Club in The undisputed star of the show was the
Stuart. Corning Museum of Glass’s amazing 46-foot-long,
An amazing lineup of participants, including 50,000-pound Mobile Hot Shop, in which skilled
a variety of arts organizations and artists from artisans demonstrated the techniques and skill
throughout Martin County, wowed the 300 attendees. necessary to sculpt 2300 degrees Fahrenheit sand
Headlining the evening’s Musica di Venezia were into beautiful works of art!
vocalists Terry Barber and Lorrianna Colozzo, and Carnevale di mARTin sponsor Sandra The Arts Foundation was created to support
international concert pianist Lindsay Garriston. Byers with sponsor and Gala Chair, Cindy Pelloni of Annual Corporate
Then, during the weekend of Feb. 8 to 9, ArtsFest, Marie Jureit-Beamish Arts Foundation Of Martin County on page 5 Sponsor PNC and her husband, Marco
14th Annual Lundin Kudo Empty Bowls

Sets New Record By Providing More Than 86,000 Meals

The annual Lundin Kudo Empty Bowls Project raised nearly $11,000, setting a new This is the 14th year for the event that honors the late ceramic artist, Lundin Kudo.
record for the event and providing more than 86,000 meals for children struggling with It brings together artists, local restaurants, dedicated volunteers and the community to
hunger in Martin County. support Treasure Coast Food Bank’s fight against hunger. A portion of the proceeds also
Patrons formed a long line before the doors opened at the Woman’s Club of Stuart are donated to Mary’s Kitchen.
on Feb. 23. For their $20 donation, each received a bowl of savory soup provided by “The Lundin Kudo Empty
area restaurants and their choice from more than 300 handcrafted bowls created and Bowls event is a highlight
donated to the event by area artists. each year, and we are grateful
In addition, there was energetic bidding for the selection of “souper” bowls that to the committee for all the
well-known local clay artists create and donate each year for the Mae Slaton Silent work that goes into making
Auction. this such a great event,” said
Judith Cruz, president and CEO
of Treasure Coast Food Bank.
“Thanks also to the artists
and the local restaurants that
donated delicious soups this
year. Your talents and gifts
help thousands of children who
struggle with hunger.”
Linda Luck and Marcia DeKramer admire bowls created
Empty Bowls on page 2 for the 14th Annual Empty Bowls event.