Page 10 - Palm City Spotlight - April '25

Page 10, Palm City Spotlight

good worKs

House Of Hope’s Gala Sponsors of Cirque du Soirée include the Pedersen
Family Foundation, Apogee, Immanual Lutheran Church,
Electrifies The Night To St. Lucie Jewelry & Coin, Michele Bragg, Ashley Capital,
Support Its Mission Premier Realty Group, Davies & Company, HBKS Wealth
Advisors, Deborah Lovequist, Re/Max of Stuart, Lucido
& Associates, One Martin, Hans Vanderlip of Re/Max
House of Hope’s Third Annual Cirque de Soirée on of Stuart, Firefly Group, Jensen Beach Garden Club and
Feb. 1 was nothing short of electrifying. Hooks Construction.
Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club was transformed Ranieri expects the demand for services from House of
into a neon paradise, with high energy, vibrant colors and Hope to continue to increase in early 2025, particularly
dazzling entertainment. Winged dancers from Jewelz as a result of the recent tornados that devastated portions
Entertainment circulated among the guests, while a living of the community. “The participation of event sponsors,
“red” carpet and floating Champagne Diva created a buzz in-kind sponsors, attendees, staff and volunteers in this
of excited awe. event will help keep our services available to all who need
The talented Soul Survivors Band from Chase Music them.”
2.0 provided favorite songs and exciting dance rhythms, To learn more about House of Hope or make a donation,
and auctioneer Elliott Paul added to the energy in the visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or
room with a fast-paced auction of unique items to benefit call (772) 286-4673.
House of Hope. The atmosphere and decor that wowed the For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call (772)
attendees was designed by the creative minds at House 286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found
of Hope, who were supported by ECP Event Rentals and on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Design and the fabulous team at Piper’s Landing
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who House Of Hope Expands Growing
helped create this amazing evening,” said House of Hope
CEO Rob Ranieri, “including our Presenting Sponsor, the Hope Farm In Palm City
Pedersen Family Foundation, who consistently provide
unwavering support for our mission.” House of Hope, always seeking more opportunities to
The event raised more than $160,000 for Project HOPE, provide fresh and healthy food to its clients, has recently The brilliantly colored and nutritious hydroponic lettuce
a program that provides essential resources like case purchased the assets of VibeWright Farms in Palm City to grown at VibeWright Farms will help House of Hope to
management, financial assistance, job search support, expand its ability to grow and distribute healthy produce provide fresh produce to its clients year-round.
and healthy food distribution to community members who to its clients.
need it the most. The 40-foot freight farm has operated for several years The Lichtenberger Family Fund at The Community
“Our goal was to make sure that our guests enjoyed the under the ownership of Kris and Katie Wright. It is located Foundation Martin – St. Lucie and a generous donor who
event,” Ranieri said, “but our wider intention, as always, is on property owned by the Dawson family along State Road prefers to remain anonymous together funded House of
to assure that House of Hope is there to help the people in 714 and is next to House of Hope’s Growing Hope Farm Hope’s purchase of VibeWright Farms.
our community who are experiencing hunger and hardship and Packing House. At its current peak production, Growing Hope Farm
and give them the resources they need to build a better In announcing the sale of their property to House of produces more than 1,500 packages of fresh produce
life for themselves and their families.” Hope, the Wrights said, “We are deeply grateful for the weekly. Of the 1.2 million pounds of food House of Hope
support we’ve received over the years and couldn’t be distributed last year, 500,000 pounds was fresh produce
happier to see the farm’s next chapter dedicated to serving to help feed and empower the most vulnerable residents
and uplifting others.” of the community. With the increased capacity at the
The farm, equivalent to four acres of in-ground VibeWright Farms site, House of Hope expects to generate
growing annually, consists of a sophisticated temperature- more produce to support the over 30,000 individuals who
controlled hydroponic greenhouse where fresh produce is benefit from the organization’s healthy food distribution
grown without pesticides. It complements the hydroponic each year. Any excess will be sold to the public, generating
greenhouses, in-ground beds and orchard already in full funds that can be invested in Growing Hope Farm and
operation on Growing Hope Farm. House of Hope’s feeding programs.
“We’re excited about what this acquisition means to our “The needs of the community continue to increase,”
ability to provide fresh produce to our clients year- round,” Ranieri said. “We’re grateful that with the purchase of
said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “Even in summer, the assets of VibeWright Farms, we have one more way
when the heat slows down our production in our existing to help meet the growing demand for our services.”
greenhouses, we’ll be able to have a consistent supply of To learn more about House of Hope or make a donation,
produce for our pantry program and our 30 food partners visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or
House of Hope values its long-standing partnership with across Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.” call (772) 286-4673.
the Pedersen Family Foundation and the family members
who attended this year’s gala (left to right) – Jeffrey
Pedersen, Stephen Pedersen, Kari Pedersen, Cory Pfister
and Timothy Pfister.

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Martin County, joined House of Hope for an exciting night full 22L-USAL-0872 112941 1222
of surprise entertainers, music and a celebration of community.