Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club Holds 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Hope for Families Center

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Orchid Island LogoVERO BEACH, FL - With a history of giving to local charities, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club held their 17th Annual 5K Walk/Run on April 17. Each year the proceeds from the event benefit a local charity, which is determined earlier in the year by the Club's Fitness and Wellness Committee. The charity selected this year was The Hope for Families Center in Vero Beach. Due to the generosity of 62 sponsorships from Orchid Island Club Members, and close to 70 participants, $12,750 was raised. These funds will be used to help the Center’s efforts to assist individuals in need with finding dependable jobs and stable living arrangements.

“Our members at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club provide generous support to the many well deserving organizations and charities serving the local community and specifically look for opportunities where their participation can make a difference. This year we are delighted to partner with The Hope for Families Center, the largest homeless shelter serving families on the Treasure Coast. Proceeds from our 17th Annual 5K Walk/Run fundraiser will help support the cost of running the Center, as well as job training and counseling programs. The Center’s track record, with respect to helping those in need find jobs and permanent housing as well as achieve educational achievements, is very impressive," shared Bruce Morrison, Orchid Island Board of Governors Tennis and Fitness Committee Chair.Photo from left to right: Rob Tench (OI General Manager), Micki Weilbaker (OI Fitness Center Manager), Bruce Morrison (OI Tennis & Fitness Board Chair), Dr. Diana Grossi (Hope for Families Center Executive Director), Dr. Bill Cooney (Home for Families Center Board President) and Denise Duda (OI Fitness, Wellness & Spa Director)

Orchid Island's annual 5K is open to Members, family and friends of the Club and also includes a one-mile fun run for children ages 13 and under. Following the race, an awards ceremony took place honoring the top male and female finishers of each age group. With a time of 19.51 this year’s top female finisher was Lily Conefry (OI Member Guest) and the top male finisher was Kevin Shankey (OI Member Guest) with a time of 20.40.

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity and support from the Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club Members in assisting us in our efforts to help those less fortunate in our community. The mission of The Hope for Families Center is to provide services, which assist families with children secure stable employment and to save money for permanent housing that they can sustain. We do not support just the adults; our staff provides the children living at the center with a safe, clean, stable environment where they can feel like they are ‘home.’ On average 62% of our residents are children. So far, this fiscal year, we have had 111 adults and 179 children come through our program. We are able to get 72% of our families successfully through the program and into permanent housing, on average in 90 days. It is through the support of people like the Orchid Island Members that together we can make a difference in our community,” expressed Dr. Diana Gossi, Executive Director of The Hope for Families Center.

About Orchid Island

Orchid Island is a private and intimate residential golf course community, offering gracious waterfront and golf course homes, an award-winning Arnold Palmer golf course, a state-of-the art Tennis and Fitness Center and an intimate Beach Club perfectly suited for leisurely gatherings, club activities and exceptional dining. Orchid Island has gained certification as being one of "Americas Healthiest Clubs" from Prevo Health Solutions for four consecutive years, as well as being awarded the designation of being a "Distinguished Club” and “A Platinum Club of America.” For more information, visit www.orchidislandgolfandbeachclub.com

Vero Beach's Hope for Families Center provides the tools to empower its residents, helping them identify and resolve their problems, find better jobs and ultimately move into stable living arrangements where they can become contributing members of the community. To learn more about this wonderful organization, visit www.hopeforfamiliescenter.org