VOL. 27 NO. 5
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MAY 2025
Spellbinding Success: Harry Potter-Themed Gala Raises $185,000 For Martin County Students More than 200 people stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter at this year’s Evening of Excellence – Bids for Kids event, which benefits Martin County students. Hosted by the Education Foundation of Martin County and presented by Morganti, this elegant gala fundraiser took place on Saturday, April 5, at Harbour Ridge Country Club. The Harry Potter-themed event, with decorations of Potter’s wizardry strewn throughout the room, raised $185,000 to assist the Education Foundation in enriching and enhancing the quality of education in Martin County’s public schools. “This event is the place to be for those who support Martin County’s students,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “We couldn’t present this fun-filled affair without the support of our sponsors, bidders, auction donors and attendees. We are so grateful!”
Joe Keating, Tracey Miller, Patty Morris and Todd Miller Photo by Doreen Poreba
With more than 500 silent auction items, it’s known as the largest of its kind on the Treasure Coast. Guests bid on items that included gift baskets, vacation getaways, spa treatments, golf packages, jewelry, artwork, fishing charters and restaurant certificates as they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Volunteer auctioneer Tom Melander conducted the live portion of the Bids for Kids auction as guests enjoyed dinner. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School, this year’s Teacher of the Year winner, encouraged attendees to raise their paddles high during the bidding process. Joshua Perry, the 2024 Teacher of the Year winner from Crystal Lake Elementary School, and Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County, handled the call to action bidding process, which raised Spellbinding Success on page 3
House Of Hope Receives Impact100 Martin Grant For 2025 House of Hope is the grateful recipient of a $100,000 impact grant from Impact100 Martin to help the nonprofit begin a new initiative in its efforts to provide nutritious food to the hungry. House of Hope’s award-winning project will create a food preservation program, adding freeze dryers, food dehydrators and shrink-wrapping machines to House of Hope’s food processing capabilities. Currently House of Hope grows fresh produce at its Growing Hope Farm in Palm City, receives bulk donations of food and prepares healthy meals and sauces in its Elizabeth Lahti Nutrition Center in Stuart. By adding food preservation equipment, House of Hope will be able to take full advantage of bulk donations, reduce food waste, increase healthy food
The food processing equipment at Growing Hope Farm has made an impact on the amount of fresh produce that House of Hope is able to offer its clients and food bank partners.
options for its clients and partners and significantly increase the shelf life of healthy food items. “Our commitment to provide nutritious food has resulted in enormous dividends to the community, the clients we serve and our food bank partners,” said Rob Ranieri, House of Hope CEO. “All food produced with this new equipment will be available at no cost to the almost 3,000 low income individuals who access our four client choice food pantries in Martin County, as well as the 11,000 individuals benefiting from our food through food bank partners in Martin County and another 5,000 served by food bank partners in St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.” House Of Hope on page 4
Molly’s House Reimagining The Mission For This Home Away From Home Molly’s House, a beloved Treasure Coast nonprofit, is actively engaged in reimagining its mission while remaining true to its roots. Molly’s House was established by generous community members in 1996 as a home away from home for family members undergoing treatment at Martin Health System hospitals. It grew out of an outpouring of love after the death of Molly Sharkey at just 18 years old from a rare type of leukemia.
It was Molly’s dream to have a hospitality house in her hometown, similar to a Ronald McDonald house, that would be available to any family who has a loved one being treated for care at area hospitals. Donors and supporters made that possible. “We’ve built a beautiful legacy of families in crisis coming together at Molly’s House and helping each other on the journey through a family member’s illness,” said Molly’s House Executive Director Katie Bartlett. “But healthcare has changed over the 28 years since Molly’s House was established. We need to change as well.” In 1996, patients with serious illnesses typically stayed in the hospital for days or even weeks. Their families, Molly’s House on page 4
Joe Endress, Molly’s House Board Chair, and Molly’s House Executive Director Katie Bartlett are working with community partners to address local issues as Molly’s House reimagines its mission.