Page 1 - Stuart Expsoure - 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 September for massive For months the dancers
attendance, sky-high fundraising, and wall-shaking energy levels in support of the Martin learned their steps and
County Healthy Start Coalition. chose fabulous costumes.
On Saturday, September 21, nine community volunteers and their professional dancing That was only part of the
partners took to the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Stuart and brought the audience to their feet challenge, however. They
with applause for dances like the tango, waltz, and cha-cha. Because the event was a sellout also raised funds with a
long before the date, another huge crowd cheered on the dancers at a live-stream watch party variety of mini events like
at Ross Hall in the Pittenger Center on the campus of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. dinners, wine tastings,
An astonishing $350,000 was raised by the dancers, sponsors and ticket sales. “We’re and auctions to boost their
so grateful to all of our dancers, sponsors and supporters,” Martin County Healthy Start fundraising totals.
Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we raise through this fun event go directly The dancers’ goals were
to our mission of ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, every mother to dazzle the judges with
is supported, and every father is involved.” their footwork and also
This year’s Martin Stars lineup included Christian Anderson, dancing with local raise the most money. In a
professional Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe; Casey Caplan with Brian Spector; Lorna Day fiercely competitive battle,
with Angel R. Tamayo III; Matthew Durbin with Emily Matos; Jonathan Garich with Christian Anderson and
Tanya Chaves; Stephanie Martinez with Michael Chaves; April Milner with Eliseo Ruiz; Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe Martin County Healthy Start Coalition COO Aubrey Campbell,
Matthew Right with Eva B. Velez and directed by Marianella Tobar; and Sue Whittington were declared the 2024 Overall Champion Christian Andersen, Healthy Start
with Jang Don. Overall Champions as Top CEO Samantha Suffich, Overall Champion Partner Daisy
Fundraising Team and Top Krakowiak-Wiebe, and Healthy Start Director of Operations
Hibiscus Children’s Center Dancing Team. The First Angie Aulisio celebrated the record-breaking 2024 Dancing
Runner-Up Dance Team with the Martin Stars event to benefit the Healthy Start mission.
Presents ‘An Evening In Paris’ was April Milner and Eliseo Photo by Driven Media

Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 3
To Benefit Children

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of elegance and excitement at the Hibiscus Education Foundation Of
Children’s Center, “An Evening in Paris” Casino Night. This showstopping event will be Martin County Sets Up
held on Friday, November 15 at Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort.
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
An Evening in Paris Committee – Left to right/front: Pam Gardner, Dana Anderwald, Doris to provide essential resources and emergency relief for families struggling to rebuild
Clements, Molly Hoffman, Cochair Kate Mikkelson, Linda Schwaderer, Debbie Owens their lives,” said Lisa Rhodes, the EFMC’s executive director.
and Cochair Kelley Decowski. Left to right/back: Mary Zottoli, Rita Nelson, Joyce Powell, The Education Foundation of Martin County is the sole authorized organization for
Carolynn Strom, and Judie Wolfe accepting hurricane relief donations on behalf of the Martin County School District and
Murray Middle School, ensuring that every contribution directly impacts its students
Hibiscus Children’s Center Presents on page 3 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.