Page 1 - Palm City Spotlight - April '21

VOL. 23 NO. 4 www.seabreezepublications.com APRIL 2021

Casino Night Benefits Elev8Hope

By Jackie Holfelder
Fun and games abounded on March 12 at Rockin’ H Ranch in Palm City at Casino Night
to benefit Elev8Hope, the all-volunteer, all-student-run nonprofit that benefits families with
children.
But the big news of the evening was that the 501(c)(3) will be establishing “Mrs. Rina’s
House of Blessings,” a transitional hospitality house to benefit homeless students in Martin
County.
The sold-out event included “gambling,” Vegas casino games like roulette, craps, Texas
hold ‘em and blackjack.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and a silent auction kept the good times rolling.
Some of the monies raised at Casino Night will be used to jumpstart a capital campaign to
finance the purchase, renovation and ongoing maintenance at Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings.
Generous sponsors and supporters of Elev8Hope donated a total of $370,000 which –
although impressive – still leaves a deficit that must be filled before Rinamarie Shpiruk’s dream
becomes a reality.
Generous donors included anonymous gifters of $100,000 and $30,000, as well as Elite Elev8hope Board President Peter DelToro and Board members Kathy Carroll, Meghan
Vaughn, Elev8Hope CEO Rinamarie Shpiruk, Jaclyn Uhl and Director of Community
Casino Night on page 6 Outreach Tom Lowell
Bow-Wow-Meow Luau Raises Funds For Shelter Pets

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

Bow-Wow-Meow Luau on page 4
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 scattered across Martin manpowered “smoothie bike” machine in the East Stuart Nutrition Garden, and learning
County on a sunny Saturday as part of House of Hope’s first annual Hunt for Hope scavenger about the history of the Golden Gate Center for Enrichment and the New Monrovia One-
hunt presented by Crary Buchanan Attorneys at Law. On Feb. 27, teams used House of Hope’s Room Schoolhouse. Children enjoyed showing off their best T-Rex dinosaur impressions,
customized app to compete for unique prizes by completing various challenges and missions having karaoke showdowns against their teammates, and reenacting scenes as National
at local landmarks, businesses, and attractions in Stuart, Indiantown, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Geographic explorers.
and Jensen Beach. The scavenger hunt was a clever new way for the organization to raise
funds to support its critical programs. House Of Hope on page 3
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 Store in their best-thrifted outfit, packing food
for distribution at House of Hope’s largest pantry in Stuart, making smoothies on the

Second place winners, the Super
First place winners, Team Nozzle Nolen. Pictured Scavengers. Pictured from left: Brigite
from left: Glenda Vander Wilt, Shaun Jones, Mark Babine, Tom and Sue Whittington,
Davis, and Kevin Eaton Lexington and Farrah Taylor