Page 1 - Stuart Exposure - 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 a roomful Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, broker/owner of RE/MAX
of people watching their every move, of Stuart, won the overall Top Chef title with her tuna
five Martin County residents turned tartare, voted “Top Dish,” and her energetic fundraising.
into professional chefs for an evening “I was honored and shocked to win Top Chef!” Jennifer
to compete in House of Hope’s Top said. “I had such a blast participating in the fundraising
Chef competition for 2024. aspect leading up to the event. Of course, meeting the
Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, Sonita other contestants and cooking with them on the night of
Farr, Wendy Kohler, Niki Norton, and the event was just amazing! House of Hope does so much
Katy O’Neil all donned their aprons in our community and it truly was my honor to help raise
and created original dishes at District awareness of their efforts.”
Table and Bar in Stuart. Sonita Farr was honored as Top Fundraiser. Ed Ciampi,
This annual event is always a sell- Martin County Commissioner, once again served as emcee.
out. This year, the 200 attendees and The judges were Taylor Mohlmann, chef, District Table
the Top Chef contestants raised over and Bar; Carra Crehan, owner/operator of Chef’s Table
$80,000 for the essential programs and Fruits & Roots; and Jessica Bohner, 2023 Top Chef
and transformative services for Martin and Top Dish winner.
County residents facing food insecurity Ed Ciampi, Wendy Kohler, Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, Sonita Farr, Niki Norton, Katy
and financial hardships. O’Neil and Rob Ranieri at House of Hope’s 2024 Top Chef competition 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 experienced having excess food. The staff were wonderful,
Center hosted a special reception at Sailfish Point Country Club they comforted me when I was sad and hugged me which
on April 2. It was an honor to have former Hibiscus resident meant the world to a scared child.”
Dave Miller share his story. Miller lived at Hibiscus Children’s To Miller’s surprise, Hibiscus staff celebrated his
Center 35 years ago and spoke passionately about the impact birthday during his stay. He recalled feeling valued
Hibiscus had on his life as a child. and important when he was allowed to choose pumpkin
Miller came to Hibiscus Shelter in 1990 at the age of 4. pie because he didn’t like cake. “I was always worried
He and his two younger siblings were found abandoned at about being just a number; I didn’t feel like I mattered to
a local motel in Okeechobee. Although he was young, he anyone. As a child I didn’t understand that the kindness
has vivid memories of his time at the shelter. “I have fond and love shown to me during my stay at Hibiscus was
memories of Hibiscus. I particularly remember getting the intentional. I realize now that these were deliberate acts
things that I didn’t get at home like feeling safe, enough aimed at making me and the other children feel cared for
food and being clean. It was late at night when we arrived and significant.”
at the shelter and we were hungry. Staff offered us as
many donuts as we wanted. This was the first time I ever Board Chair Scott Roads, Dave Miller and CEO Matt Markley Former Hibiscus Children’s Center Resident on page 3
The Community Foundation For Palm Beach

And Martin Counties Hosted Its Legacy Society Luncheon

On March 27At Café Boulud

In Palm Beach

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin
Counties hosted its Legacy Society Luncheon on March 27
at Café Boulud in Palm Beach. The invitation-only event,
which was attended by 41 guests, featured speakers: Eileen Elaine Meier and Nancy
Berman, Legacy Society Member and Dodlee Mosilme, Marshall

Debra Marcelle-Coney, Mary Katherine (MK)
Morales and Delores Simon

Don Chester, Dr. Ivy Faske and Iggy The Community Foundation on page 6