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United for Families drives long, scores big at its first charity golf tournamentUnited for Families debuted its first charity golf tournament Feb. 3 at Martin Downs Country Club.
Teeing Off Fore Kids, sponsored by Housewall Garage Systems, raised more than $10,000 despite the drizzling rain, whipping wind and unexpected cold.
The event, which featured breakfast, lunch, a putting contest, a hole-in-one contest sponsored by Carl's Buick Pontiac GMC, and several raffles, was the second of four special events United for Families is unrolling this year. Le Bal Masque was the first event. The next event is a 5K run/walk scheduled for May 5 at Tradition.
Teeing Off Fore Kids drew 60 golfers and 20 sponsors. Sponsors included: Water Blasting Technologies, Rosenthal and Levy PA, Sade Group at Citibank Smith Barney, Hometown News, Skip Rees Family, Homecrete Builders, Coast 101.3, Palm City Law, Tree Planters of South Florida, Advantage Ford of Stuart, Post Insurance, Rosalin's Downtown Fitness, Riverside National Bank, Hoskins and Turco, Print Headquarters and Dex Imaging.
Proceeds from the event will help fund many new UFF initiatives, such as the Foster Parent Mentor Program, Family Group Decision Making and the Relatives As Parents Program.
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United for Families recently threw Chief Operating Officer Chad Collins a baby shower. Chad's wife, Annie, is expecting the birth of their second daughter Feb. 12.
Collins explains the proceedure for Annie's impending delivery.
Chad wags a finger at Chief Financial Officer Donna Eprifania, who questions Chad about his notes.
Events Coordinator Leslie Haviland Smith is among the many staff who helped celebrate with Chad.
Here's the happy couple! Information and Technology Director Skip Rees fills in temporarily for Annie.
Let the gift giving begin. The Collins' received many gifts, mostly gift cards.
The hat's for the baby, Chad!
Chad sniffs the gifts from UFF's development team to be sure they aren't from the clothing closet.
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United for Families News
- The third quarter in-service Domestic Violence training is Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. Call Cerena Wallace at 398-2920 for availability.
- A special Stop the Tears education and awareness campaign will kick off in April to highlight National Child Abuse Prevention Month. More details will be provided in the March edition of The United Family.
- UFF's next special event is a Derby Day 5K race/walk scheduled for May 5 in Tradition. We hope to draw about 100 runners to the event, which, like all UFF special events, will help raise money for programming and direct services to children.
- Candy Grams will be on sale again this month in recognition of Valentine's Day. The grams are $1 each and will be available at each service center the second week of February. The grams will be delivered Feb. 14. Proceeds help underwrite several UFF projects, including Foster Parent Appreciation and Le Bal Masque.
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Caregiver News- Tickets to all local fairs will be available to foster families through the UFF Development Team. Contact Lea Ely at 398-2920 Ext. 297 for more information. These tickets are possible thanks to contributions by the Children's Services Council of Martin County, the St. Lucie County Fair Association and the Indian River County Firefighters Fair Association.
- The Have a Heart Do Your Part toiletry drive kicks off this month at schools throughout St. Lucie County. Toiletries are available through Community Resources. Call Lea for information.
- Clothing closets are up and running in Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Okeechobee. Resources available include clothing, child safety seats and cribs. Call Lea for more information.
- Caregivers are encouraged to use the Ounce Fund in Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, and the Foster Parent Support Fund in Martin County. Both funds will help pay for "fun stuff," like dance class. Forms are available at unitedforfamilies.org, or 398-2920 Ext. 297.
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Community News
- UFF thanks the United Way of Okeechobee County for its recent contributions to the Foster Parent Mentor Program and Camp Foster Child. The organization awarded $1,000 to each program.
- Children's Home Society unrolled the Okeechobee Heart Gallery Jan. 26 at IRCC. The event, which features the photographs of children available for adoption, was well attended and featured Pat McCoy as keynote speaker. Mrs. McCoy is an adoptive mother and the chair of the UFF Community Board of Directors. The next Heart Gallery is set for Feb. 26 in Vero Beach. For more information, call Liz Briggs at 489-5601 Ext. 229.
- The next meeting of the Foster Care Supports Committee is noon, Feb. 13, at New Horizons. The committee meets monthly to brainstorm improvements to the local foster-care community.
- UFF's first Annual Report is now available. The report will be mailed March 1 to all providers and community contributors.
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