Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '24

VOL. 26 NO. 11 www.seabreezepublications.com NOVEMBER 2024

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 with Michael Chaves; April Milner with Eliseo Ruiz;
September for massive attendance, sky-high fundraising, Matthew Right with Eva B. Velez and directed by Marianella
and wall-shaking energy levels in support of the Martin Tobar; and Sue Whittington with Jang Don.
County Healthy Start Coalition. For months the dancers learned their steps and chose
On Saturday, September 21, nine community volunteers fabulous costumes. That was only part of the challenge,
and their professional dancing partners took to the stage however. They also raised funds with a variety of mini
of the Lyric Theatre in Stuart and brought the audience to events like dinners, wine tastings, and auctions to boost
their feet with applause for dances like the tango, waltz, their fundraising totals.
and cha-cha. Because the event was a sellout long before The dancers’ goals were to dazzle the judges with
the date, another huge crowd cheered on the dancers at a their footwork and also raise the most money. In a
live-stream watch party at Ross Hall in the Pittenger Center fiercely competitive battle, Christian Anderson and
on the campus of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe were declared the 2024 Overall
An astonishing $350,000 was raised by the dancers, Champions as Top Fundraising Team and Top Dancing
sponsors and ticket sales. “We’re so grateful to all of our Team. The First Runner-Up Dance Team was April Milner
dancers, sponsors and supporters,” Martin County Healthy and Eliseo Ruiz; the Second Runner-Up was Casey Caplan
Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we and Brian Spector. The First Runner-Up Fundraising Team
raise through this fun event go directly to our mission of was Sue Whittington and Jang Don; the Second Runner-Up
ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, Martin County Healthy Start Coalition COO Aubrey Fundraising Team was Lorna Day and Angel Tamayo. In the
every mother is supported, and every father is involved.” Campbell, Overall Champion Christian Andersen, Healthy first ever live voting, Sue Whittington and Jang Don won
This year’s Martin Stars lineup included Christian Start CEO Samantha Suffich, Overall Champion Partner the People’s Choice Award.
Anderson, dancing with local professional Daisy Krakowiak- Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe, and Healthy Start Director of Faith Jacobsen, dance teacher at Exquisite Dance
Wiebe; Casey Caplan with Brian Spector; Lorna Day with Operations Angie Aulisio celebrated the record-breaking Company and sales manager for the AI Fitness tech
Angel R. Tamayo III; Matthew Durbin with Emily Matos; 2024 Dancing with the Martin Stars event to benefit the
Jonathan Garich with Tanya Chaves; Stephanie Martinez Healthy Start mission. Photo by Driven Media Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 7
Hibiscus Children’s Center

Presents ‘An Evening In Paris’ To Benefit Children

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of elegance and top three highest rollers will have the chance to win doors of Hibiscus and into the staff’s hearts and the healing
excitement at the Hibiscus Children’s Center, “An Evening incredible prizes! begins. It is because of your unwavering support that Hibiscus
in Paris” Casino Night. This showstopping event will be held All proceeds directly benefit children living at Hibiscus continues to provide safe haven and life-changing services
on Friday, November 15 at Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort. Children’s Center. Children receive life-changing services every day to vulnerable children.
This lovely evening will feature a casino, gourmet including educational and literacy services, medical and Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to our
dinner and dancing to the sounds of D.J. Brian Lemen. dental services, and mental health counseling. Hibiscus often generous sponsors: Merci Beaucoup – Braden & Braden
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors receives children at all hours of the day and night. These Architects & Planners, Joan Damson, Michael and Nancy Del
d’oeuvres, then head to the casino to roll the dice! Each children enter the shelter hungry and scared, with little more Priore, Richard and Deb Kessler, and Ted and Pat Tiemeyer;
guest will receive a $100 voucher for chips and additional than the clothes on their backs. The stress endured from being
vouchers can be purchased throughout the evening. The removed from their home is traumatic. They walk through the Hibiscus Children’s Center on page 3
Education Foundation Of Martin County

Sets Up Hurricane Fund To Benefit Affected Schools

The Education In addition, the EFMC has created a fund to support Martin County School District and Murray Middle School,
Foundation of Martin Murray Middle School, which suffered a direct hit that ensuring that every contribution directly impacts its
County (EFMC), in resulted in lost buildings, including those that housed their students and staff.
partnership with the music programs (band, chorus, and musical theatre) and About The Education Foundation Of Martin County
Martin County School agriculture program. The Education Foundation of Martin County is the
District, has established the Hurricane Milton Crisis Fund Those who wish to help can do so online at https://bit. Martin County School District’s strategic nonprofit partner
to support students, staff and their families who need urgent ly/efmcstormfund. with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational
assistance. One hundred percent of the monies raised will “With the community’s generous contributions, we opportunities and support for students and teachers
benefit the parties. aim to raise an initial $100,000 to provide essential in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent
resources and emergency group, the foundation promotes this effort by raising and
relief for families struggling distributing private and corporate funds through several
to rebuild their lives,” said established programs, including classroom enrichment
Lisa Rhodes, the EFMC’s grants, literacy programs, professional development for
executive director. teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs
The Education Foundation to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information,
of Martin County is the sole please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
authorized organization for
accepting hurricane relief
donations on behalf of the