Page 4 - Palm City Spotlight - January '22

Page 4, Palm City Spotlight

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
DreamMakers Kitchen and Bath, Stuart Sod and Elite h a r b i n g e r o f t h e Joan Nartowt, Daisy Davis and Barbara Bucci at the Wine
Gas. holidays, The 4Cs and Crystal Raffle table. Photo by Jackie Holfelder
Some children get involved at the tender age of 5 or (Ca ri ng Chi l dre n
6, introduced by a parent or older sibling who is already Clothing Children) Brooks of Willoughby Golf Club, Brian Berger of Miles
committed to Elev8Hope. Cookie Competition and Grant Country Club, Donna DeAngelis of The Maritimes
They donate their own birthday gifts and filled piggy Luncheon, took place on East and Earl Lewis of Panera Bread offered toothsome
banks to those needing it more and learn how to share Dec. 7 at Harbour Ridge treats to the 170 attendees, who each voted for his or her
the Christmas spirit all year round. Yacht & Country Club favorite.
To learn more visit www.elev8hope.org. amidst a sleigh-full of Judges Dr. John Millay, Martin County Superintendent
Photos provided by Elev8Hope good cheer! of Schools; Carolyn Timmann, Martin County Clerk of
Chef Daniel Pattie Dunn, Nancy Lopez the Courts; Stacia Losh, 4Cs supporter; Kim Martin of
Betancourt and Team Russell, and Pam Van. Photo by Rehmann and Missy Noyes, 4Cs board member, had the
of Boys & Girls Clubs Liz McKinley enviable job of tasting each of the submitted cookies and
of Martin County, adding their votes to that of attendees.
Jacquelyn Cuevas of Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Chef Jacquelyn Cuevas of Harbour Ridge Yacht &
Club, Folker Raynolds of Monarch Country Club, Chris Country Club was named winner.
Newly added to the event this year was a wine and
crystal raffle, in which each person buying a ticket was
assured of winning a bottle of wine or an accessory
guaranteed to please any oenophile.
Said Cecilia Lewis, luncheon chair, “When I sit down
at this busy time of year to reflect on my blessings, one
of the things I’m most grateful for is the chance to be
part of 4Cs to help make a difference in the lives of the
children of our community.”
Rinamarie Shpiruk, CEO of Elev8Hope, MCSO Deputy Sponsors of the 2021 4Cs Cookie Competition and
Crystal Nash and Martin County Sheriff Richard Snyder Luncheon included Baird, The Cohen and Clinton Group,
Rehmann, Tony and Stacia Losh, Mike and Judy Tenzyk,
Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Britt and Cecilia
Lewis, Missy Noyes Premier Realty Group and Abby
Smith.
Glenda Rawlinson, Elaine Matts, Marilynn Vannucci. Photo
by Liz McKinley Holiday Happenings on page 6

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
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Rinamarie Shpiruk, CEO of Elev8Hope, and attendees at
the bicycle raffle