2009
All-Charity Auction Sets New Record
The
Ocean Reef Foundation Auction Day events raised a record-setting
amount for local charities for the second year in a row. The net
proceeds of more than $1.6 million raised on February 7 exceeded the record set
in the inaugural year by over $200,000, and will result in another
year of record-breaking grants made to deserving charities.
The “One Community, One
Auction” events, which replaced a slew of auction fundraisers in
2008, benefit the full slate of local charities including the
Academy, Art League, Cultural Center, Medical Center, Rod & Gun Club
environmental efforts and the Ocean Reef Foundation Community Grants
Fund supporting outstanding charities on and near the Reef.
According to
Foundation Chairman Alan Goldstein, “One reason this was so
successful is that the community wholeheartedly supported the one
auction concept and put all their efforts behind this one event that
benefits all the charities at the Reef and the many charities
outside our gates which are in desperate need of our assistance this
year.”
Foundation
President John Taylor also expressed the Foundation’s immense
gratitude to “all the OR members who supported the one auction
concept with generous bidding in these difficult economic times.
Ocean Reef is indeed a unique place,” he concludes.
In keeping with
this year’s “Every Charity Has a Story” theme, Taylor was especially
pleased to showcase a number of the on and off the Reef charities
the events benefit with information stations at the daytime Silent
Auction Celebration and in a “heart stopper” performance of some 25
children from Florida Association of Retarded Citizens at the Gala
Wine Dinner.
Performances by
Kathie Lee Gifford, who sang her song “Everyone Has a Story” which
inspired the event theme, and energetic Auctioneer and CBS
Weatherman Lonnie Quinn were also highlights of the elegant evening.
Gratitude and credit
for the success went to the efforts of Gala Chairs Bill & Dedie Nutt
and Tom & Marcia Martell; Silent Auction Chairs Steven & Kathy
Markel and Ron & Barbara Besse; Wine Committee Chairs Mike Berman, Mike Smith and Vince
Kent, who spearheaded the popular new Friday evening Wine Tasting &
Auction Preview Party; the entire “Every Charity Has a Story”
Committee; numerous item donors and volunteers; and Foundation and
Club staff.
Chair Bill Nutt agreed
and emphasized that “The success of this year’s Gala and Community
Auction reflects the hard work of those who sought out or donated
the items we auctioned.”
Foundation Board
Director Rich Miller added, “So many of us were involved in this
community wide effort to support our charities. We have accomplished
something fantastic that can only be done at Ocean Reef. It takes
everybody’s support to get such successful results.”
"It was truly an amazing
evening,” Co-Chair Tom Martell marveled, “and a testament to the
generosity of our Members that, in this economic environment, the
Foundation was able to raise a record amount of funds to support our
charities."
Miller summed up
the overwhelming sentiment of all involved, saying “This is just one
of the greatest stories … not only for our Foundation, but for what
the members at Ocean Reef are willing to do for their community even
in difficult times. We
talk about a sense of club and community. Well, this is the best
demonstration I can think of. Only at Ocean Reef!”
Look
here and to the Ocean Reef
Press for information on resulting grants distribution in the
coming months.
