VOL. 27 NO. 3
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MARCH 2026
The Fellowship Program Of Foxwynd Foundation Awards $150,000 Grant To House Of Hope For Growing Hope Farm House of Hope has been awarded a grant through the Foxwynd Foundation’s Fellowship Program to support its Growing Hope Farm, providing a total of $150,000 over two consecutive years ($75,000 per year). This grant was nominated by Foxwynd Trustee Jenn Hebert in recognition of House of Hope’s outstanding impact. “The nomination of House of Hope reflects the foundation’s commitment to organizations that provide essential resources and create sustainable impact. This grant will help them continue delivering vital support to those in need,” stated Hebert. This grant will strengthen House of Hope’s Growing Hope Farm production and healthy food distribution. Growing Hope Farm in Palm City includes greenhouses, orchards, and a packing house. Its operations enable House of Hope to grow fresh produce for its Client Choice pantries and food bank partners. At peak production, the farm is now producing well over 2,000 packages of fresh produce weekly.
Towers of hydroponic lettuce, herbs and vegetables at the Growing Hope Farm look artistic and serve a meaningful purpose by providing hundreds of harvested plants each week to support House of Hope’s efforts to improve health and nutrition on the Treasure Coast.
“We’re committed to the health of our clients,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “It’s good for their mind and body to have fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. These are often the most expensive items in the grocery store and are not always in our clients’ food budgets. Having them available in our food pantries makes a positive difference in their nutrition.” Last year’s grant from Foxwynd Foundation helped House of Hope procure perishable items for its pantries— like milk, butter, eggs, chicken, and turkey—and supported the production facilities at Growing Hope Farm. This year’s grant will continue that effort and add a second freight farm on the property. Like the first freight farm purchased in the spring of 2025, it consists of an innovative temperaturecontrolled hydroponic greenhouse where fresh produce is grown without pesticides. It complements the hydroponic House Of Hope on page 8
Terrell Owens Hosted A Pickleball Event To Benefit A Local Charity As Part Of The Jim Crane Celebrity Golf Classic Weekend Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Palm Beach and Martin Counties was a beneficiary of the First Annual Jim Crane Celebrity Classic presented by James Hardie charity event that was recently held Jan. 24 to 26, at the Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Fla. “The Classic,” a three-day, star-studded charity event, was hosted in conjunction between the Astros Foundation and the G-Unity Foundation, and one of the local charities that benefited was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. One of the highlights of the event was the Jim Crane Celebrity Golf Classic presented by James Hardie on Monday, Jan. 26. The event featured several prominent and former pro athletes, including more than 20 Hall of Famers, as well as several A-list stars from music and entertainment. Among
those attending were Jack Nicklaus, Ken Griffey, Jr., 50 Cent, Albert Pujols, Barry Sanders, Ray Lewis, Jeff Bagwell, Andruw Jones, DaBaby, Flo Rida, Bun B, and Chase Rice. In addition to the Golf Classic, the Astros Foundation hosted multiple private charity events on-site at the Floridian. On Saturday, Jan. 24, Terrell Owens hosted an instructional pickleball event for 81 members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. “Over the last few years, pickleball has become a passion for me, and I’m grateful to host Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties at the beautiful Floridian in an effort to emphasize growing the sport as a powerful tool for inclusivity and opportunity. My purpose is to introduce BBBS Little Skye Wilcox, Terrell Owens, David Hall
Terrell Owens on page 6
VIM Gala Raises Funds For Martin County’s Health Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Clinic hosted its annual VIM Gala at the Willoughby Golf Club on Saturday, Jan. 24, celebrating 30 years of hope, healing and humanity with 150 supporters to raise over $345,000 for the clinic’s mission. These funds help provide over $7 million in free health care services to eligible Martin County residents in need annually. The gala’s theme, Pearls of Compassion, set the stage for an evening of celebration and philanthropy. The Friends of VIM President Judith Powell highlighted the organization’s impact,
saying, “For 30 years, Volunteers in Medicine has been a lifeline for neighbors with nowhere else to turn for care. That impact is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our donors, volunteers, and community partners. You make whole person care possible and change lives every day.” She added, “I am proud to support an organization that
Catherine and Dr. John Fasano Bill and Rosemary Buffington delivers not only medical care, but dignity, hope, and healing to our community.” VIM patient Robert shared how a persistent mouth sore led him to schedule an appointment that ultimately saved his life. At Volunteers in Medicine, he was diagnosed with tongue cancer and received all care at no cost, including surgery, reconstructive
Cindi Hobbs, Wayne Klick
VIM Gala on page 9