Page 4 - Hobe Sound Reflections - January '21

Page 4, Hobe Sound

good Works

United Way Of Martin County
Spreads Holiday Cheer To

Local Families Facing Hard

Times

For more than 30 years, United Way of Martin County has
helped bring Christmas cheer to thousands of children and
their families facing hard times, and 2020 was no exception.
The pandemic may have complicated the traditional ways of
collecting and distributing toys, but it didn’t stop the program
from helping struggling families in a year when they needed
it the most.
As the local coordinating agency for Toys for Tots, United
Way employed creative methods to safely collect toys during
the pandemic, such as virtual toy drives and drive-through
drop-off events. According to Rachel Terlizzi, director of United Way of Martin County
community impact for United Way and coordinator for Toys Community Outreach Coordinator
for Tots, the new tactics proved successful. Despite fewer Tara Zweben holds one of more than
collection sites and events, the number of toys collected this 800 bags of toys given out during
year was comparable to past years. the United Way Holiday Project
United Way faced another challenge in adjusting its distribution.
volunteer strategy to adhere to social distancing and safety Florida Oceanographic Society volunteers assisted with food distribution at the
protocols. Small groups of volunteers in staggered shifts United Way Holiday Project. Good Works on page 5
worked diligently in the days leading up to distribution to
ensure the right toys got to the right children.
Cardboard boxes filled with unwrapped toys for kids of all
ages lined the Martin County Fairgrounds, where volunteers Champagne ~ ‘Not Just For New Year’s!’
carefully selected toys based on client preference sheets filled
out by the families.
First-time volunteer Lorna duPlooy brought her 10-year-
old daughter, Bryn, to help package toys for families. By Laura Berrio, This Champagne bar absolutely delivered on creating
“This year, I felt it was more important than ever to help Freelance Writer/Blogger the experience. I enjoyed a glass of Taittinger, Reims
out and for my children to see how we can all pitch in for Champagne has Champagne while nibbling on a macaroon. I was
the good of the community,” duPlooy said. “My daughter crossed over into the seated in a beautiful bar, surrounded by two floors of
enjoyed the experience, especially reviewing each child’s mainstream. I used to only literature with jazz music playing in the background.
interests and finding the perfect gift for them.” drink Champagne on New What pairs better with Champagne than books? Our
Volunteers packaged the toys in large black bags with a Year’s Eve, or at special inner bibliophile surfaces!
number that matched up to a number the family was provided. events requiring a toast. To keep prices affordable, Champagne bars offer a
Families were scheduled to pick up their bags during a two- Now, I am seeing a nice variety of Champagne by the glass,
day drive-through distribution event. variety of Champagnes half bottle or bottle.
Typically, parents can select toys themselves, but safety by the glass offered at my If you are looking for a unique,
protocols put into place during the pandemic limited the favorite restaurants. fun experience, check out the local
number of individuals permitted in the fairgrounds at one time. Champagne bars are the new “in vogue” place to try Champagne bars in your area and
“This model for distributing toys was not ideal, but ultimately, new bubbly! They create a sophisticated, yet affordable, let me know what your new favorite
we were able to fulfill our mission of making sure there was a toy experience for the Champagne lover. The idea behind the Champagnes are!
underneath the tree for every child,” Terlizzi said. “And what’s Champagne bar is to create a relaxed, less pretentious ~ Cheers
more important is that we were able to give parents the ability setting to enjoy Champagne. ~ Keep the conversation going and the bubbly flowing!
to provide a traditional Christmas for their children.” I recently traveled to Asheville, N.C. and checked out Follow the Vine at: www.VineVibeUncorked.com.
In addition to the toys, families were provided with a a local Champagne bar, the Battery Park Book Exchange
turkey, pork tenderloin and two weeks’ worth of groceries and Champagne Bar.
thanks to Cares Act funds from the Martin County Board of
County Commissioners.
Nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, and the
Martin County School District also played a vital role in
referring families in need. The lists were compared with
other area holiday programs to avoid duplication and ensure
as many families as possible received assistance.
“United Way dedicates an incredible amount of time and
energy for this project, but it truly could not happen without
the entire community rallying around the effort, especially
this year,” Terlizzi said. “It’s a shining example that we are
stronger united.”
For more information, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org.
About United Way Of Martin County
United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives
by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972,
the United Way has been working to create long-term social
change and provide support to Martin County residents by
investing in programs that strive to: enhance healthy living,
improve education, and support financial stability.

Volunteer Lorna duPlooy and her daughter, Bryn, selected
toys for families in need.