Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '24

VOL. 26 NO. 5 www.seabreezepublications.com MAY 2024

Martin County Top Chef Cooks Up Success For House Of Hope

Over blazing stoves, with in our community and it truly was my honor to help raise
a roomful of people watching awareness of their efforts.”
their every move, five Martin Sonita Farr was honored as Top Fundraiser. Ed Ciampi,
County residents turned Martin County Commissioner, once again served as emcee.
into professional chefs for The judges were Taylor Mohlmann, chef, District Table and
an evening to compete in Bar; Carra Crehan, owner/operator of Chef’s Table and Fruits &
House of Hope’s Top Chef Roots; and Jessica Bohner, 2023 Top Chef and Top Dish winner.
competition for 2024. “The competition was really fierce this year,” House of Hope’s
Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, Rob Ranieri said. “We’re grateful to everyone who competed and
Sonita Farr, Wendy Kohler, contributed to make this a fun evening. Their efforts will have
Niki Norton, and Katy O’Neil a huge impact on House of Hope and the thousands of Martin
all donned their aprons and County residents that we assist throughout the year.”
created original dishes at House of Hope extended a special thanks to Jason Stocks,
District Table and Bar in Stuart. chef and owner of District Table and Bar and Colab Kitchen
This annual event is FL. He hosts this annual event year after year, closing his
always a sell-out. This year, own operations for the evening to support House of Hope.
the 200 attendees and the Ed Ciampi, Wendy Kohler, Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, Sonita Farr, Niki Norton, Katy O’Neil Sponsors for the event include District Table and Bar,
Top Chef contestants raised and Rob Ranieri at House of Hope’s 2024 Top Chef competition Stifel Investment Services, RE/MAX of Stuart, The Hawkins
over $80,000 for the essential Family, Treasure Coast Legal, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Molly
programs and transformative services for Martin County “I was honored and shocked to win Top Chef!” Jennifer K. O’Neil Esq., n2 Architecture + Design, Russell and Dianne
residents facing food insecurity and financial hardships. said. “I had such a blast participating in the fundraising Weller, Century 21 Move with Us, Crabby’s Port Salerno,
Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, broker/owner of RE/MAX aspect leading up to the event. Of course, meeting the Deborah Lovequist, Girl Scout Troop 71734, Jim and Elaine
of Stuart, won the overall Top Chef title with her tuna other contestants and cooking with them on the night of
tartare, voted “Top Dish,” and her energetic fundraising. the event was just amazing! House of Hope does so much Martin County Top Chef on page 3
Former Hibiscus Children’s Center Resident Shares His

Story At Special Reception

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, Hibiscus Children’s To Miller’s surprise, Hibiscus staff celebrated his
Center hosted a special reception at Sailfish Point Country Club birthday during his stay. He recalled feeling valued
on April 2. It was an honor to have former Hibiscus resident and important when he was allowed to choose pumpkin
Dave Miller share his story. Miller lived at Hibiscus Children’s pie because he didn’t like cake. “I was always worried
Center 35 years ago and spoke passionately about the impact about being just a number; I didn’t feel like I mattered to
Hibiscus had on his life as a child. anyone. As a child I didn’t understand that the kindness
Miller came to Hibiscus Shelter in 1990 at the age of 4. He and love shown to me during my stay at Hibiscus was
and his two younger siblings were found abandoned at a local intentional. I realize now that these were deliberate acts
motel in Okeechobee. Although he was young, he has vivid aimed at making me and the other children feel cared for
memories of his time at the shelter. “I have fond memories of and significant.”
Hibiscus. I particularly remember getting the things that I didn’t Today, he is an advocate for facilities like Hibiscus because
get at home like feeling safe, enough food and being clean. It of how they made him and his siblings feel. He has a family
was late at night when we arrived at the shelter and we were of his own and is a successful businessperson in Chicago. He
hungry. Staff offered us as many donuts as we wanted. This was used his challenges and difficulties to build a solid foundation
the first time I ever experienced having excess food. The staff in life. He has owned and operated several catering and food Board Chair Scott Roads, Dave Miller and CEO Matt Markley
were wonderful, they comforted me when I was sad and hugged related businesses and currently owns a bagel shop with plans
me which meant the world to a scared child.” to expand in the future. Former Hibiscus Children’s Center Resident on page 4
The Community Foundation For Palm Beach

And Martin Counties Hosted Its Legacy Society Luncheon

On March 27At Café Boulud Legacy Society Member
and Dodlee Mosilme,
In Palm Beach Community Foundation
Scholarship Recipient and
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Florida Atlantic University
Counties hosted its Legacy Society Luncheon on March 27 at Class of 2025 student.
Café Boulud in Palm Beach. The invitation-only event, which The Community
was attended by 41 guests, featured speakers: Eileen Berman, Foundation is a not-for-

Cynthia Williams, Sheree Davis Cunningham, Jeffrey Stoops
and Susan Brockway
Bradley Hurlburt and Anson
Beard Jr. The Community Foundation on page 3