Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '22
P. 4
Page 4, Martin Downs
Holiday Happenings
Elev8Hope Holds Christmas
Toy Giveaway
By Jackie Holfelder
Students helping
other students find
the joy in Christmas
… and those who
give, find even more
joy than those who
receive.
Elev8Hope once
a g a i n m a d e t h e
holidays much happier Trevor Shpiruk and Mitchell
for hundreds of Martin Shpiruk, two of the founders of Paula Scheid, Mona Salisbury, Santa Claus and Craiggie
County children at Elev8Hope Henderson. Photo by Jackie Holfelder
the nonprofit’s Annual
Holiday Toy Giveaway on Dec. 18 at 76 Golf World in
Stuart.
Some 1,200 students aged 5 to 17 were on hand to
have their pictures taken with Santa and his elves and
receive holiday presents. More than150 of them were (Standing) Mitchell Shpiruk, Devon Shpiruk, Nick Robert,
lucky enough to win one of the bikes that were raffled. Trevor Shpiruk, (kneeling) Lyssa Phifer, Kimberly Lindsey,
1,000-plus meals and cups of hot cocoa were served Ara Winship and Tiffany Winship, student volunteers and
by Sonny’s Barbeque. board members of Elev8Hope
Caring Children Clothing Children’s mobile van was
on site and was brimming with new clothes for the kids. 4Cs Cookie Competition And
Elev8Hope is a boots-on-the-ground nonprofit that
adds light to Martin County, using compassion as the Luncheon: A Tasteful Hit!
torch. It is student-led and heart-driven.
Its dedicated volunteers of all ages were assisted by By Jackie Holfelder
members of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), That biannual harbinger of the holidays, The 4Cs
DreamMakers Kitchen and Bath, Stuart Sod and Elite (Caring Children Clothing Children) Cookie Competition Joan Nartowt, Daisy Davis and Barbara Bucci at the Wine
Gas. and Luncheon, took place on Dec. 7 at Harbour Ridge and Crystal Raffle table. Photo by Jackie Holfelder
Some children get involved at the tender age of 5 or Yacht & Country Club
6, introduced by a parent or older sibling who is already amidst a sleigh-full of good
committed to Elev8Hope. cheer!
They donate their own birthday gifts and filled piggy Chef Daniel Betancourt
banks to those needing it more and learn how to share and Team of Boys & Girls
the Christmas spirit all year round. Clubs of Martin County,
To learn more visit www.elev8hope.org. Jacquelyn Cuevas of Harbour
Photos provided by Elev8Hope Ridge Yacht & Country
Club, Folker Raynolds of
Monarch Country Club,
Chris Brooks of Willoughby
Golf Club, Brian Berger
of Miles Grant Country
Club, Donna DeAngelis
of The Maritimes East and
Earl Lewis of Panera Bread
offered toothsome treats to
the 170 attendees, who each
voted for his or her favorite.
Judges Dr . John
Millay, Martin County John Lendman, Maria Reich, Santa Claus, Betty Mulligan and Cecilia Lewis, chair of the
Superintendent of Schools; 4Cs Cookie Competition and Luncheon. Photo by Liz McKinley
Carolyn Timmann, Martin
Rinamarie Shpiruk, CEO of Elev8Hope, MCSO Deputy County Clerk of the Courts; Stacia Losh, 4Cs supporter; Newly added to the event this year was a wine and
Crystal Nash and Martin County Sheriff Richard Snyder Kim Martin of Rehmann and Missy Noyes, 4Cs board crystal raffle, in which each person buying a ticket was
member, had the enviable job of tasting each of the assured of winning a bottle of wine or an accessory
submitted cookies and adding their votes to that of guaranteed to please any oenophile.
attendees. Said Cecilia Lewis, luncheon chair, “When I sit down
Chef Jacquelyn Cuevas of Harbour Ridge Yacht & at this busy time of year to reflect on my blessings, one
Country Club was named winner.
Holiday Happenings on page 5
Aligned
with
Home • Auto • Boat • RV • Life
Tom Lowell raffles off bikes at the Elev8Hope Annual Holiday Flood • Business • Commercial
Toy Giveaway.
Mary-Beth Zipsir
Agent in Charge
O: (772) 233-4444
www.smartchoicepartnersfl.com
It's our policy that you know yours
Rinamarie Shpiruk, CEO of Elev8Hope, and attendees at
the bicycle raffle