Page 1 - Palm City Spotlight - November '24

VOL. 26 NO. 11 www.seabreezepublications.com NOVEMBER 2024

Dancing With The Martin Stars 2024

Breaks Attendance And Fundraising Records

For The Martin County Healthy Start Coalition

Dancing with the Martin Stars 2024 broke all records this This year’s Martin Stars lineup included Christian
September for massive attendance, sky-high fundraising, and Anderson, dancing with local professional Daisy Krakowiak-
wall-shaking energy levels in support of the Martin County Wiebe; Casey Caplan with Brian Spector; Lorna Day with
Healthy Start Coalition. Angel R. Tamayo III; Matthew Durbin with Emily Matos;
On Saturday, September 21, nine community volunteers Jonathan Garich with Tanya Chaves; Stephanie Martinez with
and their professional dancing partners took to the stage of the Michael Chaves; April Milner with Eliseo Ruiz; Matthew Right
Lyric Theatre in Stuart and brought the audience to their feet with Eva B. Velez and directed by Marianella Tobar; and Sue
with applause for dances like the tango, waltz, and cha-cha. Whittington with Jang Don.
Because the event was a sellout long before the date, another For months the dancers learned their steps and chose
huge crowd cheered on the dancers at a live-stream watch fabulous costumes. That was only part of the challenge,
party at Ross Hall in the Pittenger Center on the campus of however. They also raised funds with a variety of mini
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. events like dinners, wine tastings, and auctions to boost their
An astonishing $350,000 was raised by the dancers, Martin County Healthy Start Coalition COO Aubrey fundraising totals.
sponsors and ticket sales. “We’re so grateful to all of our Campbell, Overall Champion Christian Andersen, Healthy The dancers’ goals were to dazzle the judges with their
dancers, sponsors and supporters,” Martin County Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich, Overall Champion Partner footwork and also raise the most money. In a fiercely
Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe, and Healthy Start Director of competitive battle, Christian Anderson and Daisy Krakowiak-
raise through this fun event go directly to our mission of Operations Angie Aulisio celebrated the record-breaking Wiebe were declared the 2024 Overall Champions as Top
ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, 2024 Dancing with the Martin Stars event to benefit the
every mother is supported, and every father is involved.” Healthy Start mission. Photo by Driven Media Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 3
Hibiscus Children’s Center

Presents ‘An Evening In Paris’ To Benefit Children

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of elegance and top three highest rollers will have the chance to win doors of Hibiscus and into the staff’s hearts and the healing
excitement at the Hibiscus Children’s Center, “An Evening incredible prizes! begins. It is because of your unwavering support that Hibiscus
in Paris” Casino Night. This showstopping event will be held All proceeds directly benefit children living at Hibiscus continues to provide safe haven and life-changing services
on Friday, November 15 at Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort. Children’s Center. Children receive life-changing services every day to vulnerable children.
This lovely evening will feature a casino, gourmet including educational and literacy services, medical and Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to our
dinner and dancing to the sounds of D.J. Brian Lemen. dental services, and mental health counseling. Hibiscus often generous sponsors: Merci Beaucoup – Braden & Braden
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors receives children at all hours of the day and night. These Architects & Planners, Joan Damson, Michael and Nancy Del
d’oeuvres, then head to the casino to roll the dice! Each children enter the shelter hungry and scared, with little more Priore, Richard and Deb Kessler, and Ted and Pat Tiemeyer;
guest will receive a $100 voucher for chips and additional than the clothes on their backs. The stress endured from being
vouchers can be purchased throughout the evening. The removed from their home is traumatic. They walk through the Hibiscus Children’s Center on page 3
Education Foundation Of Martin County

Sets Up Hurricane Fund To Benefit Affected Schools

The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC), In addition, the $100,000 to provide essential resources and emergency
in partnership with the Martin County School District, has EFMC has created a relief for families struggling to rebuild their lives,” said
established the Hurricane Milton Crisis Fund to support students, fund to support Murray Lisa Rhodes, the EFMC’s executive director.
staff and their families who need urgent assistance. One hundred Middle School, which The Education Foundation of Martin County is the
percent of the monies raised will benefit the parties. suffered a direct hit that resulted in lost buildings, sole authorized organization for accepting hurricane
including those that housed relief donations on behalf of the Martin County School
their music programs (band, District and Murray Middle School, ensuring that every
chorus, and musical theatre) contribution directly impacts its students and staff.
and agriculture program. About The Education Foundation Of Martin County
Those who wish to help The Education Foundation of Martin County is the
can do so online at https://bit. Martin County School District’s strategic nonprofit partner
ly/efmcstormfund. with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational
“With the community’s opportunities and support for students and teachers in
generous contributions,
we aim to raise an initial Education Foundation on page 5