VOL. 26 NO. 11
NOVEMBER 2024
www.seabreezepublications.com
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 September for massive attendance, sky-high fundraising, and wall-shaking energy levels in support of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition. On Saturday, September 21, nine community volunteers and their professional dancing partners took to the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Stuart and brought the audience to their feet with applause for dances like the tango, waltz, and cha-cha. Because the event was a sellout long before the date, another huge crowd cheered on the dancers at a live-stream watch party at Ross Hall in the Pittenger Center on the campus of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. An astonishing $350,000 was raised by the dancers, sponsors and ticket sales. “We’re so grateful to all of our dancers, sponsors and supporters,” Martin County Healthy Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we raise through this fun event go directly to our mission of ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, every mother is supported, and every father is involved.” This year’s Martin Stars lineup included Christian Anderson, dancing with local professional Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe; Casey Caplan with Brian Spector; Lorna Day with Angel R. Tamayo III; Matthew Durbin with Emily Matos; Jonathan Garich with Tanya Chaves; Stephanie Martinez with Michael Chaves; April Milner with Eliseo Ruiz; Matthew Right with Eva B. Velez and directed by Marianella Tobar; and Sue Whittington with Jang Don.
Hibiscus Children’s Center Presents ‘An Evening In Paris’ To Benefit Children Get ready for an unforgettable evening of elegance and excitement at the Hibiscus Children’s Center, “An Evening in Paris” Casino Night. This showstopping event will be held on Friday, November 15 at Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort.
An Evening in Paris Committee – Left to right/front: Pam Gardner, Dana Anderwald, Doris Clements, Molly Hoffman, Cochair Kate Mikkelson, Linda Schwaderer, Debbie Owens and Cochair Kelley Decowski. Left to right/back: Mary Zottoli, Rita Nelson, Joyce Powell, Carolynn Strom, and Judie Wolfe Hibiscus Children’s Center Presents on page 3
For months the dancers learned their steps and chose fabulous costumes. That was only part of the challenge, however. They also raised funds with a variety of mini events like dinners, wine tastings, and auctions to boost their fundraising totals. The dancers’ goals were to dazzle the judges with their footwork and also raise the most money. In a fiercely competitive battle, Christian Anderson and Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe were declared the 2024 Overall Champions as Top Fundraising Team and Top Dancing Team. The First Runner-Up Dance Team was April Milner and Eliseo
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition COO Aubrey Campbell, Overall Champion Christian Andersen, Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich, Overall Champion Partner Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe, and Healthy Start Director of Operations Angie Aulisio celebrated the record-breaking 2024 Dancing with the Martin Stars event to benefit the Healthy Start mission. Photo by Driven Media
Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 3
Education Foundation Of Martin County Sets Up Hurricane Fund To Benefit Affected Schools The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC), in partnership with the Martin County School District, has established the Hurricane Milton Crisis Fund to support students, staff and their families who need urgent assistance. One hundred percent of the monies raised will benefit the parties. In addition, the EFMC has created a fund to support Murray Middle School, which suffered a direct hit that resulted in lost buildings, including those that housed their music programs (band, chorus, and musical theatre) and agriculture program. Those who wish to help can do so online at https://bit.ly/efmcstormfund. “With the community’s generous contributions, we aim to raise an initial $100,000 to provide essential resources and emergency relief for families struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Lisa Rhodes, the EFMC’s executive director. The Education Foundation of Martin County is the sole authorized organization for accepting hurricane relief donations on behalf of the Martin County School District and Murray Middle School, ensuring that every contribution directly impacts its students and staff. About The Education Foundation Of Martin County The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic nonprofit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.