The Source’s 18^th “Night of Hope” Fundraiser 

The 18th “Night of Hope,” the annual fundraiser to benefit The Source, was held on Monday evening, February 6 at The Emerson Center in Vero Beach.  The Source proudly partnered with Cindy O’Dare and Richard Boga with ONE Sothebys’ International Realty, and nearly 250 guests, staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors and friends of The Source enjoyed an evening of  “Rejoicing In Accomplishments…An Inspiring Hope For The Future and The Beautiful Sounds of Music,” in part, the theme of the event.

Attendees admired the floral theme for the evening created by Monti’s Flowers and Events which highlighted sunflowers of every size positioned throughout the venue. The flower acted as a symbol to The Source’s mission: “Like the sunflower, with its strong sturdy stem reaching high in the sky towards unlimited possibilities, The Source teaches their members to stand on their own two feet.”Additionally, sunflower seeds are a form of food, sustenance. Guests had a taste of roasted and seasoned sunflower seeds from the main catering table.

The welcome reception was catered by The Source’s own Dignity Catering, featuring a bountiful selection of hot and cold hors d’eouvres followed by a dessert selection, all creatively designed for the evening. Cupcakes decorated with a sunflower, and encased in a carry home box, were handed out to all guests upon departure of the evening along with a live sunflower shared from the beautiful floral displays. A full bar operated by Proof Cocktail & Catering served all evening with thanks to sponsors Princess Liquors and Islamorada Brewery. Guests had an opportunity to tour one of the Dignity Buses in the parking lot.

The program was highlighted with a feature performance by Wintley A. Phipps, who sang three encouraging and moving songs, “I Believe (for Every Drop of Rain that Falls),” a Gospel favorite, “Amen,” and concluded with “When You Walk Through A Storm.” Phipps is a Pastor, world-renowned vocal artist, motivational speaker and education activist. He has been the featured speaker and performer for many notable occasions around the world and has sung before Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, George W. Bush and Joseph Biden. His greatest passion is helping at risk children to dream. Mr. Phipps founded the U.S. Dream Academy an over 20-year old tutoring and mentoring program for children who are at risk or with parents who are behind bars. He has attracted an entire new generation of fans as his performance of Amazing Grace has received 20 million cumulative viewers on YouTube making him one of the most watched Gospel Music artists. Vero Beach is lucky to have a hometown hero such as Wintley Phipps as our neighbor.

2-21-23 Source Event Partners Richard Boga, Anthony Zorbaugh and Cindy O'Dare

The evening was capped off by an informative and moving video describing many of the success stories achieved by The Source during the last year and future plans for the organization with the Dignity Village completion, the Dignity Bus expansion and a third Dignity Food Truck being added to the fleet. The video, that was produced by Rowlinson Media Group and co-produced by The Source and Paris Productions, utilized well-described words and a myriad of photos to truly summarize what The Source is doing to benefit the homeless population.   Touching testimonials by several of The Source’s members were highlighted in the video.

Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, was tremendously moved by the outpouring of support and partnership at the event. “These few hours of friendship and camaraderie gave us the ability to spread the word about what we are doing here in Vero Beach, helping the homeless and needy in our own backyard.”

For those who were unable to attend the event,  and would like to view the video by email, please contact Anthony Zorbaugh, 772-564-0202 or by emailing him at tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org.

I am Ministries DBA The Source is a Christian social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995. Founded in Indian River County, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through core programs that include Dining with Dignity-a culinary employability training program, Dignity Catering and Dignity Food Trucks, Dignity Buses-mobile overnight emergency shelters sleeping nearly 40 nightly, Dignity Village-20 affordable housing units, as well as a myriad of programs and services that instill a sense of community.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email news@indianrivermedia.com