Written by: Stephanie LaBaff

Moorings residents and friends gathered with much fanfare at the Moorings Yacht & Country Club last Monday evening for the Habitat Live Auction and Celebration, the culmination of a record-breaking 19th annual Moorings Habitat Classic Weekend to benefit Indian River Habitat for Humanity.

Golfers showed up with sun-kissed faces, fresh off the golf course, along with those who had participated over the weekend in tennis, pickleball, croquet, putt-putt, bridge and Mah Jongg tournaments, a 5K run/walk/bike, and even shopping at J. McLaughlin.

After catching up and perusing silent-auction items over cocktails in the Governor’s Lounge, guests headed into the dining room to feast on an extensive buffet dinner, before settling in for a heated live auction with Chris Johns at the helm.

Attendees good-naturedly vied for a dizzying array of jewelry, dining experiences, travel, wine and paintings by two accomplished artist residents.

“It’s great to get back to an in-person Habitat party. This party is the culmination of our weekend. We had more fundraising and more participation than we’ve ever had before,” said event chair David Sommers.

Sommers said more than 100 members assisted in making the four-day event a big success. To further illustrate their commitment to Habitat, he asked all Moorings residents who had ever volunteered for Habitat in any capacity to stand up and, not surprisingly, a majority of the attendees rose.

“For over 24 years, we have raised money for Indian River Habitat. Last year alone, we funded six new homes. Overall, we’ve had 84 Vero Beach families buy safe, secure homes in which to raise their families as proud homeowners,” said Sommers.

In addition to home construction, proceeds from the annual event support home revitalization projects and scholarships for Habitat homeowners and their children.

“We’ve provided over $250,000 in scholarship funding for Habitat families. In the 24 years we’ve been doing this, the Moorings has donated over $10 million for Habitat. The Habitat Classic Weekend has become a part of the Moorings philanthropic tradition,” he continued.

Sommers paused to honor the late Brad Burnham, the “founder of our relationship with Habitat in 1998,” along with several others. He said they had instituted the first Moorings fundraising appeal in 1999 and established the first golf tournament in 2004.

Trevor Loomis, who assumed the role of president/CEO at Indian River Habitat last November, said he was surprised at how seriously club members took their golf, tennis and croquet competitions.

“This has been a great weekend. It’s been fun to experience this. The real reason that we do this is the support for Habitat and those families that we serve. I am blown away by the contribution,” he said.

“What you have done is empower people to change their lives. Habitat isn’t just about how we build and the homes we repair. We use the power of home to create opportunities where it didn’t exist before. We use housing security as a foundation upon which generational change can happen,” added Loomis.

“What homeownership does is unlock future possibility. At Indian River Habitat, it’s our mission to help people in need unlock their own potential. We build opportunities for hardworking homebuyers that want to build a better life,” said Loomis before showing a video that chronicled the journey of a recent homebuyer.

Another video featured the late Bob Samuels, another Mooring’s Habitat leader, whose passion still resonates with guests, reminding them why they continue their support of the club’s signature philanthropic partner.

“Friends, we’re gathered here tonight to help keep building homes for the neediest families in Indian River County. Every time you raise your paddle tonight, every dollar goes toward changing lives and building futures right here in our backyard,” said Johns, calling for bids from the heart. “The goal tonight is to keep building homes.”

On April 2, help IR Habitat celebrate 30 years of “building strength, community, and hope” at its annual Habitat Island Gala.

For more information, visit irchabitat.org.