Many are Blessed at The River Fund's Feed Everyone Christmas Celebration

The River Fund is an organization that brings comfort and companionship to people infected by HIV/AIDS, low-income elders and those living with poverty and homelessness.  Feed everyone is the River Funds's local grassroots program in Gifford, FL.  As the name states, it serves everyone, particualrly those in what may be seen as hopeless situations.  These are the people who need our help and compassion most.  They stand up to the challenges each day to feed and protect their families and children, often with out adequate assistance from social seervices.
Each month, in partnership with Kingdom church, the River Fund's Feed Everyone program serves over 600 lunches and provides groceries for needy families.  Today was especially wonderful....It was a Christmas Celebration!

Since the beginning of this holiday season, I had decided that I was going to walk my "Chick" talk and get out to serve the community.  Everything feels different to me this year.  It's not about me, the things I can buy, the parties I can go to...it's about who I can serve; the least of them, although I certainly don't see them that way at all.  Today was really my first opportunity to do that "from the trenches".  All I can say is, it was a wonderful day that completely uplifted everyone involved.

Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, affectionately known as Ma, founder of the Kashi spiritual community and it's many programs dedicated to compassionate solutions, arrives at the Kingdom Church with her entourage.  A prominent member of the group, folksinger Arlo Guthrie, has been involved with the community for many years.

Arlo and Santa.  I was delighted when I introduced myself to Arlo and told him I was Vero's Chief Chick of Chicks with Checks; he said that he had heard of us and liked what we are doing!  I wonder if he would like to participate in next year's Gala!

Grateful participants were served a wonderful chicken lunch with vegetable, side dish, drinks and dessert.  After receiving food, everyone lined up to go in the church and receive gifts from Santa.

I loved the job I was given to do, because I got to meet everyone.  I was in charge of making sure everyone had a name tag.  What fun!

Al Lehman, my "wing chick" Deby's dad, handing out hunny buns with his new friend Eva.

As you can see it was a perfectly beautiful sunny and somewhat crisp day, which made it very pleasant to mill around and meet the wonderful volunteers and all of the people served by this organization.  

It felt as good as I knew it would.  Everyone that I spoke to was totally blessed by the experience.  It proves that spirit of Christmas is awake and alive...even though it feels different this year, in many ways it's better for me.  I believe everyone felt like they belonged.  As we served them, they served us so well by showing us their hearts.  

Yes! this is where I belong; in service to others.

What are you doing to be of service this holiday season?

Namaste and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Donna

This Chick's New Hangout: The Greenhouse Cafe, Simply Fabulous!

Standing Room Only does not begin to describe the scene last evening at the Greenhouse Cafe!  Looked like the entire population of Vero's beautiful people were there.
Of course I saw many people that I know and also met a few new friends.  One of the things that I love most about being a social networking social butterfly is meeting the people I have connected with on facebook, IRCulture.com  and the blogs that I follow.  It was a thrill to meet Miss Vero of Miss Vero's Beyond the Beach House blog (your identity is safe with me, Miss Vero!)
Even though restaurant reviews is not what I do, I will give you my impressions of this new edition to the VB Dining scene.
I believe we have a winner here!  What is most important to me when dining out is that all of the senses are stimulated.  It is definitely the case here.  The courtyard garden is absolutely beautiful.  I love to be surrounded by nature and they have done it well.  There is a fountain in the courtyard that provides the peaceful sounds of a babbling brook (although you couldn't here it last night!).
The wait staff and hostesses were absolutely the most sweet and gorgeous young people, no doubt hand picked for those very qualities.
Wine purveyors were on hand to share samplings of wine that will be served.  Generous appetizers were passed amongst the crowd.
So, yes, I like... It's a perfect place for Chicks and a great place for our Vero Venture Network.  What do you think networkers?  December in the garden?

Here's a few pics of some of the beautiful people:

This lovely gentleman is John Treadwell, new VB resident from Key West, FL.  He is the "Fabulous Face" behind Clinical Advantage skin care. 
http://clinicaladvantageskincare.com
john@clinicaladvantageskincare.com

This beautiful couple is Robert and Deby Winter.  They are the owners of Carpet and Tile Warehouse and Green Team Cleaning.  This is one of the friends I was telling you about that I first met on facebook.

Newton and Karen Vance moved to Vero 2 months ago from Key West.  Welcome you two!  They moved here to take care of Newton's mother.  Karen may be one of the Chicks after next Tuesday's Chick Gathering!

Ellen and David of Riverside Cafe can always be counted on to Do Good in this Community.  They go right along with Chicks philosophy to Do Good and Have Fun!

Connie Hunter of Southern Wines and Spirits, one of the proud owners of Greenhouse Cafe, Olske Forbes and Bogna of Bogna Designs.

Kris Altman, a Chick with a cause.  Kris connects the community with American Cancer Society events.

Mary and Bob Roth of Roth Interiors.  Bob is also one of the hosts of WWCI TV10's Seller to Cellar.

Bob Roth and Bob Stanley, hosts of WWCI TV 10's Seller to Cellar.

Steve Hanson AKA Captain Relay, American Cancer Society's goodwill ambassador for this county's Relays for Life.  Debbie Campa can help you be healthier than ever by drinking the "right water".

Lisa and Leo Desmond, hosts of Lisa and Leo Live heard weeknight's 5 to 6 PM on WAXE 1370 AM.  Check out the show site: http://lisaandleo.com

Spenser Solis is a Public Relations Coordinator at the Alexis Agency.  Joya and Mae are the bright, beautiful faces you will see when you first enter the Greenhouse Cafe.

Many thanks to Bob, Billy, Olske and the staff of Greenhouse Cafe.  

 See you tomorrow...I'l have a bunch of new pictures from tonight's Vero Venture Network at Ti Amo Sempre.  I hope I see you there!

Welcome to Chicks Around Town.

Hi There! My name is Donna Vernon and I am a confirmed Social Butterfly!
Gosh, it really feels good to confess that; especially now that I have a way to use that TALENT to do good for the community.

I'm a Chick! A Chick with Checks! Alright, Guys, settle down...not that kind of Chick.

My purpose for doing this blog is to keep you up to date with the good things going on in Vero Beach and Indian River County. And, believe me...there is a lot of good going on around here! Vero Beach has a heart for philanthropy and culture, and blends the two beautifully.

That's why I felt Vero Beach was the perfect place to start a Chicks with Checks chapter.
Being a Social Butterfly you will most likely find me at most events around town that are dedicated to serving local non-profits.

I love Vero Beach's culture and what we have here to entertain ourselves...Dining, theater, museums and galleries.
Where I go, I will have you with me.

Most of all, I love Vero Beach people. They - YOU - make Vero Beach's golden heart beat!

You will see the people and hear about the good they are doing with each post.

Now for a bit about Chicks with Checks...

Chicks With Checks is a Socially Conscious Social Network where women can Do Good and Have Fun while raising aware and funds for our local non-profits.

• Would you like to connect with other stellar women?
• Do you want to support more local non-profits and stretch your giving dollars?
• Do you prefer reall conversations to 30-second commercials?
• Have you noticed how much women get done when they work together?

Then...Let's put the FUN back into fund raising!

Each month, Chicks with Checks hosts a relaxed, casual, FUN Party with a Purpose to raise awareness and funds for a different local non-profit. We really get to know these organizations - who they are, what they do, what they need next and how we can help. In the process, we make real friends, help each other grow and prosper and make our communites better

Our mission is to raise awareness and funds for low-profile, high-impact local non-profits while building relationships with each other and in our business and non-profit comminity.

Chicks with Checks official launch will be in January 2010, with our first Party and our first beneficiary. We are now in the process of selecting our Leadership Team and building a vibrant membership so that first beneficiary and really benefit.

Check for Chicks events in http://IRCulture.com