Ocean Reef Foundation • 1

Between the Ocean Reef Foundation and the Ocean Reef Community

THELINKVolume 5, Issue II • Spring 2009

Foundation Responds to Growing Hunger Crisiswith Major Grants, Donation Matching Offer

Volunteers at the Daily Bread Food Bank assemble boxes of food for distribution to the growing ranks of needy area families.

Grants Committee Chairman Lou Mitchell announced that Food Banks are among the Foundation’s grant recipients (see the complete list on page 2) for the first time this year due to repercussions of the recession. With the results of a successful 2009 Auction, the Community Grants Fund was able to award $40,000 for special projects and food distribution to feed needy families in Homestead and Key Largo through the Daily Bread Food Bank and $15,000 to help establish a Food Pantry in Homestead through the Sembrando Flores organization. The grants will help address what is widely considered to be a growing crisis. Food banks nationwide are reporting a 30 percent increase in the number of people turning to them to help put food on the table, with unemployment and growing food costs named as the primary factors. That rate is nearly double the increase just six months ago. Florida is currently leading the nation in growth rate of Food Stamp clients, surpassing even that of the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, and the Congressional Budget Office projects higher unemployment rates for the next few years.

Double Your Dollars Donated to Fight Hunger

The Foundation will match dollars donated to support food banks that serve the hungry in Homestead and Key Largo up to $25,000 through the generosity of an anonymous donor.

To join the fight against hunger and have your

donation matched, simply write “Food Banks” on the memo line of your check to the Ocean Reef Foundation.

According to the Florida Association of Food Banks, the fastest growing segment of families in need here have at least one family member working. A recent survey by Feeding America found that more than 70 percent of food banks are presently unable to adequately meet the needs of their communities, and are cutting back the amount of food they are making available to soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters. Foundation Board members have researched and toured Food Bank organizations in both Homestead and Key Largo. When Foundation contacts confirmed that both locations are experiencing a dramatic increase in traffic and requests for food and struggling

to meet the need, the Board responded earlier this year with an emergency grant of $5,000 and additional funds from Donors who hold Advised Accounts, one of whom is now offering a match for other Donors. The cause then became a priority when it came time to make annual grants. Robert Peters of the Daily Bread Food Bank responded, “I received the grant award letter and thought I was going to cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” He reports that because Daily Bread can distribute nine pounds of food for every dollar received, Ocean Reef’s combined donations will translate to more than half a million pounds of food for the truly needy.

2 • Ocean Reef Foundation

THELINK2009 Auction Proceeds Distribution

Ocean Reef CharitiesAcademy at Ocean Reef $228,824Art League $ 97,920Chapel at Ocean Reef $ 10,000Coast Guard Flotilla 13-04 $ 15,000Historical Society $ 5,000Medical Center at Ocean Reef $383,986Ocean Reef Cultural Center $330,606Ocean Reef Employee Emergency Fund $ 10,000Ocean Reef Library $ 3,000Ocean Reef Volunteer Fire Department $ 5,000ORCAT $ 33,000Total to Ocean Reef Charities $1,122,336

Off The Reef CharitiesARC Project Thrive $ 30,000Branches Summer Learning Program $ 25,000Daily Bread Food Bank (North & South) $ 40,000Florida Keys Children’s Shelter $ 20,000Florida Keys Foster Adoptive Parents Association $ 2,000Homestead Hospital $ 25,000Hospice Care of Southeast Florida $ 15,000Jacobs Aquatic Center $ 20,000ORF Small Urgent Response Grants Fund $ 25,000Outward Bound Discovery $ 5,000PATCHES (Pediatric Medical Care & Support) $ 10,000Rod & Gun Club/Bonefish & Tarpon Trust $203,540

Environmental Efforts Including:Coral Restoration FoundationDon Hawley Foundation Florida Keys Turtle Hospital International Game Fish Association Islamorada Fishing & Conservation Trust Island Dolphin Care National Parks Conservation AssociationNature Conservancy Pennekamp Park Offshore Coral Nursery Program Rod & Gun Scholarship program Sanctuary Friends of the Florida Keys South Florida National Parks Trust

Sembrando Flores Front Porch Food Pantry $ 15,000South Dade Child Care Center $ 40,000Take Stock in Children $ 40,000Upper Keys YMCA Competitive Edge Tennis $ 7,500Upper Keys YMCA Summer Camp $ 35,000Wesley House Family Services $ 10,000Total to Off Reef Charities $568,040

Total Distribution $1,690,376Pending Distribution $ 19,989Gross Proceeds: $1,710,365

Thank You for Making the ‘09

Auction a Great Success!

The Foundation’s 2009 Auction events raised a record-setting amount

for local charities for the second year in a row and

will result in another year of record-breaking

grants made to deserving charities.

Foundation Chairman Alan Goldstein said “We

want to thank everyone who participated in the

Auction with special thanks to the donors who provided so many wonderful items to offer at the event. The

support from the community and the very generous bids

from the participants made it possible for the Foundation

to provide major funding for charities at the Reef. What is really heartwarming is

that this year we were able to direct more funds to charities outside our gates that are in

desperate need."

Foundation President John Taylor agreed,

“We are very thankful for the tremendous show of

support, especially in difficult economic times, and eager to share the results with

everyone so they can see for themselves how their dollars

are going to work in our community. We can all be confident that our Auction

Day will have a huge impact on these wonderful

charities.”

Ocean Reef Foundation • 3

THELINK

The Wounded Warrior Fund advisors, local men Leonard Wood and Al Mast, were deeply gratified to be able to donate the full cost of custom vans for three families this season through a partnership with the Support Our Troops Wheels for Warriors program, which lends its expertise in finding the neediest families around the country.

They have now given vans to disabled Army, Navy and Marine veterans, each one with his own heartwrenching story. It would be impossible not to be touched by the stories Wheels for Warriors presents.

Unfortunately, their common story is one Al Mast and Leonard Wood, co-founders of the Wounded Warriors Fund, are becoming all too familiar with as they work to fulfill the fund mission “to provide support for the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families with an emphasis on those who have been injured in the line of duty.”

“These severely injured soldiers and their families, soldiers who have come very close to giving the ultimate sacrifice and will live with disability for the rest of their lives and families who have often given up their jobs and much more to provide their care, are the neediest of the needy in our eyes,” Mast and Wood lament, describing how they got involved with Wheels for Warriors.

“We really like that aspect of knowing exactly where the money is going, the fact that it is a very specific project which is somewhat difficult to get funded, and that we get to know how dramatically it improves the day to day lives of these families,” Wood continued.

Unprecedented numbers of soldiers surviving catastrophic injuries in our nation’s current conflicts have created an equally unprecedented need for the specially equipped vans to help their families return to productive lives.

The handicap accessible vans needed to transport the wheelchair-bound must be custom designed to accommodate specific disabilities and chairs (which can be rolled in and locked into place, avoiding transferring and belting into an ill suited car seat) and typically run between $45,000 and $60,000, well beyond the means of many already burdened families and veteran benefits.

Mast and Wood call on the community to join in their continuing effort to donate more wheels for warriors. “You can’t put a price on what these men and women have given. We would love to give away 20 or 30 of these vans. Unfortunately, hundreds are needed,” Mast says.

Contributions can be made through the Ocean Reef Foundation and must be specifically designated to benefit the Wounded Warriors Fund (write the check to WWF or to the Foundation with WWF on the memo line).

Wounded Warriors Fund Grants ThreeVans to Disabled Veterans This Season

WARRIORS ON WHEELS

Al Mast, WWF co-founder, with LCPL John Doody (USMC Ret.) and Mary Kay Salomone of Operation Support Our Troops.

Retired Army Sgt. Shane Nault and his mom Lori accept the van and some of “his freedom back” in Wisconsin last Veteran’s Day.

Retired Navy Medic Anthony Thompson with his wife Ivonne and their toddler with the van that she says will make them “free to start living a normal life.”

4 • Ocean Reef Foundation

THELINK

SAVE THE WEEKEND!

Ocean ReefFoundationCommunity

Auction Weekend

FEBRUARY 12 & 13, 2010

2010Events:

Friday, Feb. 12Wine Tasting &

Auction Preview PartySaturday, Feb. 13

Daytime Silent Auction Celebration

Gala Wine Dinner & Live Auction

2010Theme:

THE MAGICOF GIVING

2010Event Chairs:

Ron & Barbara BesseSteve & Kathie MarkelTom & Marcia Martell

Brooke & Sally Weisleder

Gus & Nancy Hillenbrand

2010 Info:Lesa Crayne

(305) 367-6303

A performance by ARC Project Thrive singing a specially written song of thanks was a highlight of the Gala.

2009 AUCTION EVENTSWINE TASTING & AUCTION PREVIEW PARTY • SILENT AUCTION CELEBRATION

GALA WINE DINNER & LIVE AUCTION

The new Wine Tasting& Auction Preview Party was a big hit!

Kathie Lee Gifford singing her song ”Everyone has a Story,” which inspired the event theme.

View and print these and more color photos at www.orfound.org!

Ocean Reef Foundation • 5

THELINKDONATIONS & “EXPERIENCES” SOUGHT FOR

2010 AUCTION

The Foundation’s Auction Events offer

many opportunities to help the charities we

care about most beyond attending and enjoying the events. One of the

most effective ways is to donate a unique

item or experience to be auctioned.

In 2009 “Experience” donations of access to private conveyances,

clubs, homes and hospitality totaled

hundreds of thousands of dollars and accounted

for a significant portion of the proceeds.

Examples include yacht access, plane trips,

private accommodations at vacation spots and

access to clubs or events.

As you go about your Summer travels, please consider what experiences you enjoy

that might be considered an exotic or unique treat that others, who don’t

have your access, might enjoy.

It often costs the owner little or nothing to donate an experience and it can

make a huge impact. Please call Lesa Crayne at (305) 367-6303 to make

a donation.

A performance by ARC Project Thrive singing a specially written song of thanks was a highlight of the Gala.

2009 AUCTION EVENTSWINE TASTING & AUCTION PREVIEW PARTY • SILENT AUCTION CELEBRATION

GALA WINE DINNER & LIVE AUCTION

Kathie Lee Gifford singing her song ”Everyone has a Story,” which inspired the event theme.

Gala Chairs Dedie & Bill Nutt and Tom & Marcia Martell.

Auctioneer Lonnie Quinn

6 • Ocean Reef Foundation

THELINK

RECESSION RESPONSE

Small Urgent Response Grants Now Available

New! In order to be more responsive to the increased need

created by the recession, the Foundation has established a Small

Urgent Response Grants fund which will allow

small grants of $5,000 or less in a timely fashion to meet urgent needs

(typically grants are only made annually). Should you hear about a 501(c)

(3) charity facing an urgent need situation, please refer them to the Foundation and

Administrator Yurianna Mikolay for guidance

through the application process.

O.R.E.E.F.Ocean Reef’s Club,

Community Association and Foundation leaders

anticipate increased demand on the existing Ocean Reef Employee

Emergency Fund in the year ahead due to the tough economic times. Such times are perhaps

the best to donate to ensure that funds are available to help the

valued employees whose work makes the unique Ocean Reef way of life possible. Simply mark your contribution with

“OREEF” to help.

‘Angels’ Recognized for Philanthropy

The Ocean Reef Foundation and Ocean Reef Medical Center honored local families for outstanding philanthropy at Ocean Reef as hosts of the bi-annual “Angels” Dinner recognizing substantial contributions to the community at the Cultural Center in March.

Pictured at the dinner are: (ground level, front row) Tom Davidson, Alan Goldstein, Margaret Kitchings, Joy Murdough, Sally Davidson, Nancy Harrington, Marlene Boll, Claudine Bacher, Janet Dicke, Carol Belk, Patrick Lee, Cynthia Lee, Connie Taylor, John Taylor, Teresa Holmes, Jay Holmes; (on the steps, left to right) Chester Kitchings, Jr., Ron Harrington, Mary Lee, John Lee, Tom Murdough, Ocean Reef Club President Paul Astbury, Vicki Goldstein, James Dicke, II, Vince Kent, Fred Bacher, Elsie Foster, Russ Post, Olivia Kent, Linda Haugland, John Boll, Connie Flanagan, Bill Haugland, Tom Flanagan and Irwin Belk.

“Angels” not pictured: Allison Brewster, James & Eileen Dicke, Sr., Ronald & Nanette Elenbaas, Richard & Joyce Farmer, Robert & Marilyn Fisher, James & Joan Gardner, Robert & Barbara Gintel, Edmund & Barbara Hajim, Carl & Edyth Lindner, Emery & Barbara Olcott, Jill Rowe, Donald Saunders & Liv Ullmann, Roe & Penny Stamps, IV, William Johnston and Rhonda Stryker, Ellen Wells, Michel Williams, Harold & Mary Yoh and Scott & Jodi Zifferer.

2009 Charity Check-Off ResultsGreat for Grateful CharitiesThe results are in for the second year of the Charity Check-Off, which enables Ocean Reef Club members to make one convenient $150 voluntary donation to the half dozen Ocean Reef Combined Charities along with their annual dues payments.

“The Board is very enthusiastic about our members’ contribution,” said Ocean Reef Club President Paul Astbury. The Check-Off has resulted in a whopping $317,750 in funds for agencies of the Combined Charities donated with more than 2,100 members participating.

According to Foundation Board Director Rich Miller, “It really is important that we

Ocean Reef Foundation • 7

THELINK

SDCCC Preschool Building Dedicated Thanks to Ocean Reef Efforts

The Ocean Reef Foundation recently organized a group trip to tour the South Dade Child Care Center at the dedication of a new preschool building in Leisure City which was made possible by the generosity and dedication of Ocean Reef Club members. The expanded facility houses four new classrooms that will change the lives of 80 disadvantaged children each year for generations to come. Pictured are (left to right): Dottie Kemp, Cynthia Mitchell, John Taylor, Lou Mitchell, Connie Taylor, Gail Moss, Jim Johnson, Jane Betz, Sandy Johnson, Sue Peterson and Linnea Anderson. Not pictured: Judy Astbury, Sally Davidson, Ruth Dawson, John & Marlene Boll, Theresa Holmes, Cynthia Lee and Brooke & Sally Weisleder.

FOUNDATION HONORSMENTORS

AT ANNUALLUNCHEON

Ocean Reef volunteers who mentor youngsters in the Monroe County Take Stock in Children Program are honored

for their important work each year at a special

luncheon. One-on-one mentoring

is the cornerstone of the successful program

which helps low income children graduate

from high school and attend college. To

learn more about the program, become a

mentor or contribute to Take Stock in Children, please call Foundation

Administrator Yurianna Mikolay at

(305) 367-4707.

all thank the entire community for their support of the Check-Off system. Many, many members, including not only the Equity members, but an even larger number of Social members, support local charities through the Check-Off.”

Rob Elenbaas recalls a time not long ago when “every charity was raising money all the time” and reminds us that Check-Off is an integral part of the charities’ agreement to move to a single auction season.

Then Chairman of the Club’s board, Elenbaas says “For that agreement, we agreed to have the Club bill a voluntary Charity Check-Off. It was successful from the first year because for a small, reasonable amount the average member could insure that our vital charitable organizations would have a ‘safety net’ under them for a nominal contribution.”

He credits the Club Board, Foundation and all the charities, as well as the community for it’s support, saying “It has worked very well, made the environment here at Ocean Reef much more pleasant and let the charities focus on their missions.”

Thanks to community support, the success of the Check-Off in its second year has resulted in the following substantial donations to the six Ocean Reef Combined Charities: Ocean Reef Medical Center - $88,970, Ocean Reef Cultural Center - $57,195, The Academy at Ocean Reef - $50,840, The Art League at Ocean Reef - $50,840, Rod & Gun Club Environmental Efforts - $38,130 and Ocean Reef Foundation - $31,775.

8 • Ocean Reef Foundation

200 Anchor Drive, Suite BKey Largo, FL 33037

THELINKOUR MISSION

The Ocean Reef Foundation is an

independent, charitable and not-for-profit

organization established to promote and enhance responsible and effective

philanthropy in our community.

Phone: (305) 367-4707Fax: (305) 367-6327

foundation@oceanreef.com

www.orfound.orgNew! Now Print Donor

Advised Gift Forms from the “For Donors” Page

Alan J. Goldstein, Chairman

John N. Taylor, Jr., President

Thomas N. Davidson, Vice President

Barry Goldsmith, Treasurer

George N. AronoffPaul Astbury

Allison BrewsterMarlene Boll

Wayne E. CarlisleRichard T. Farmer

Edmund HajimJohn Lee

Board of DirectorsRichard Miller

Louis A. MitchellDenny Morgan

Thomas MurdoughJoseph J. Murphy, Jr.

Emery G. OlcottDavid Ritz

Frank R. Shumway, Jr.Janie Sims

Nelson SimsAdelaide SkoglundMichael J. Sullivan

John TurnerKerry Whitaker

Administrator Yurianna Mikolay

OUR FUNDS• Arts Fund

• Children’s Fund

• Community

Grants Fund

• Courage Fund

for Hospice

• Education Fund

• Environmental Fund

• Health Fund

• Ocean Reef Employee

Emergency Fund

• South Dade Child Care

Center Expansion Fund

• Wounded Warriors Fund