Page 1 - Hobe Sound Reflections - April '21

VOL. 22 NO. 4 www.seabreezepublications.com APRIL 2021

Casino Night Benefits Elev8Hope

By Jackie Holfelder Generous sponsors and
Fun and games abounded on March 12 at Rockin’ supporters of Elev8Hope
H Ranch in Palm City at Casino Night to benefit donated a total of $370,000
Elev8Hope, the all-volunteer, all-student-run nonprofit which – although impressive
that benefits families with children. – still leaves a deficit
But the big news of the evening was that the 501(c)(3) that must be filled before
will be establishing “Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings,” a Rinamarie Shpiruk’s dream
transitional hospitality house to benefit homeless students becomes a reality.
in Martin County. Ge ne rous donors
The sold-out event included “gambling,” Vegas casino included anonymous gifters
games like roulette, craps, Texas hold ‘em and blackjack. of $100,000 and $30,000, as
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and a silent auction well as Elite Gas, Kirchman
kept the good times rolling. Construction, Law Group
Some of the monies raised at Casino Night will be of South Florida and G&M
used to jumpstart a capital campaign to finance the Tropicals. Elev8hope Board President Peter DelToro and Board members Kathy Carroll, Meghan
purchase, renovation and ongoing maintenance at Mrs. Vaughn, Elev8Hope CEO Rinamarie Shpiruk, Jaclyn Uhl and Director of Community
Rina’s House of Blessings. Casino Night on page 4 Outreach Tom Lowell
Bow-Wow-Meow Luau Raises Funds For Shelter Pets

Leis, straw skirts and pandemic. By night’s end, the event raised more than $205,000
Polynesian dancers played with more donations coming in post-event.
into the theme of this year’s WPTV and Fox 29 anchor and reporter Jay Cashmere
Paws and Claws gala, which emceed the event and auctioneer extraordinaire Elliot
benefited the shelter animals Paul conducted a live auction. Guests were then treated
at the Humane Society of the to an authentic island revue performed by professional
Treasure Coast (HSTC). Held at entertainers from the Mai Kai Polynesian Restaurant and
the Marriott Hutchinson Island Show, a South Florida landmark. In flavorful fashion, Little
Beach Resort, the Bow-Wow- Moir’s Hibiscus Street Catering served a taste of the tropics
Meow Luau was the perfect with a variety of mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres.
theme for the event, which was
held entirely outdoors due to the Bow-Wow-Meow Luau on page 3
House Of Hope Put The FUN In Raising Funds

During Their First Annual Hunt For Hope Scavenger Hunt

An enthusiastic and diverse group of more than 40 participants House of Hope’s first annual Hunt for Hope scavenger hunt
scattered across Martin County on a sunny Saturday as part of presented by Crary Buchanan Attorneys at Law. On Feb. 27,
teams used House of Hope’s customized app to compete for
unique prizes by completing various challenges and missions
at local landmarks, businesses, and attractions in Stuart,
Indiantown, Palm City, Hobe Sound, and Jensen Beach. The
scavenger hunt was a clever new way for the organization to
raise funds to support its critical programs.
Scavenger hunt challenges included problem-solving,
performances, gathering items, taking videos or selfies, and
other hilarious or thought-provoking tasks closely related to the
House of Hope’s mission. Some of the group’s favorite tasks
were performing a catwalk at the House of Hope Stuart Thrift Second place winners, the Super Scavengers. Pictured from
First place winners, Team Nozzle Nolen. Pictured from left: Store in their best-thrifted outfit, packing food for distribution left: Brigite Babine, Tom and Sue Whittington, Lexington
Glenda Vander Wilt, Shaun Jones, Mark Davis, and Kevin Eaton at House of Hope’s largest pantry in Stuart, making smoothies and Farrah Taylor
on the manpowered “smoothie
bike” machine in the East Stuart their teammates, and reenacting scenes as National Geographic
Nutrition Garden, and learning explorers.
about the history of the Golden “Hunt for Hope was designed to incorporate COVID-19
Gate Center for Enrichment and safety protocols while engaging participants in a fun, team-based
the New Monrovia One-Room scavenger hunt. We weren’t sure what to expect with Hunt for
Schoolhouse. Children enjoyed Hope being a brand-new event, but the feedback we received
showing off their best T-Rex from participants was overwhelmingly positive,” said Rob
dinosaur impressions, having
karaoke showdowns against House Of Hope on page 4