Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - July '24

VOL. 26 NO. 7 www.seabreezepublications.com JULY 2024

The 2024 Dancing With The Martin Stars Lineup Announced

For The Martin County

Healthy Start Coalition’s

Sept. 21 Event

With a burst of silver confetti, the 2024 Dancing with the
Martin Stars contestants discovered on May 16 which local
professional dancers will be their partners for this year’s
dancing competition on Sept. 21 to benefit the Martin County
Healthy Start Coalition.
Nine volunteers from all walks of life have signed on
to the challenge to dance like a star in a professionally
choreographed performance, plus raise funds from supporters
eager to cheer them on.
“If you’ve ever had to dance in front of a crowd that
came with high expectations,” Martin County Healthy A talented and energetic cast took the stage at the Lyric last September in support of the Martin County Healthy Start
Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said, “you know the Coalition. Carol Briseno of Martin County Parks and Recreation and her dancing partner Jang Don walked away with
top honors and the coveted trophy for highest combined scores in both dancing and fundraising for 2023. Who will take
Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 3 Champion honors this year? Lend your support at www.mchealthystart.org.
Success At The 23rd Annual Robert F. Novins

Memorial Golf Tournament Benefiting VIM Clinic

The 23rd Annual Robert F. Novins Memorial Golf the VIM Clinic. “This event celebrates the memory of Robert
Tournament was a tremendous success, continuing the F. Novins while embodying the spirit of giving and community
tradition of drawing golfers and supporters from near and that he cherished. The funds raised make a significant impact
far. This year’s event, held at The Yacht & Country Club in the lives of our patients and their families.”
of Stuart, was sold out with a waiting list, a testament to its The success of this event would not have been possible
enduring popularity and support of Volunteers in Medicine without the dedicated efforts of its hosts Carson Novins
(VIM) Clinic. and his sisters, Beth Novins and Jeffrey Hartt. Their
The tournament raised over $160,000 for VIM Clinic, passion and commitment to honoring their father’s legacy
bringing the total amount raised over the past 12 years to more through this impactful initiative are truly commendable.
than $1.1 million. These funds are crucial in providing free The continued support and camaraderie displayed each
medical care to low-income, uninsured friends and neighbors year are a testament to Robert F. Novins’ spirit and the
in Martin County. values he held dear. Les Shekels, Carson Novins and Ryan Slater
“We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support The festivities kicked off the evening before the tournament
from our community,” said Mary Fields, Executive Director of with a lively pre-tournament reception party at Carson’s Tavern Golf Tournament on page 5
Helping People Succeed’s

April Showers Gifted Families May Flowers

By Glenna Parris
Thrivent and Helping People Succeed celebrated the end
of another outstanding month-long “Baby Showers” event
on April 27 with a catered
brunch at the nonprofit’s
Jensen Beach headquarters.
For over 10 years, this
community-wide event has
collected baby necessities
for families in need
who are served through
Helping People Succeed’s
Healthy Families program
and Baby Steps, which Cher Fisher, Amy Whitlach, Carolyn Moses and Claire Nash Paul Gargolinski, Ann Mehling and Sheryl Britton
offers support and services Christine Sears, Heather
to families who may be Bleier and Patty Pollak experiencing stress in their lives that makes parenting Shower with a buffet brunch—catered by Jan’s Place, games,
more challenging. music and more.
These services are offered The team from Pathfinder Financial Group of Thrivent,
through home visits with a who sponsored this brunch, were on hand to show their
Family Support Specialist appreciation to generous donors. They wholeheartedly
which may start before or believe that money is a gift to be stewarded, to help make
shortly after the birth of a a positive impact on our community. They understand it’s
baby and can continue until hard enough to raise a child under normal circumstances.
the child’s fifth birthday. Helping People Succeed walks alongside families to help
The major event, held on
April 27, was an actual Baby Helping People Succeed on page 6