Sunrise Rotary members treated thirty Youth Guidance guests to a tailgate supper and a Devil Rays baseball game at Holman Stadium on July 26. They got autographs from the players, posed for pictures with team mascot Squeeze, played Dizzy Bats and Musical Chairs, and ate a feast donated by MacDonald's and Burger King. Twenty-seven Rotarians had the privilege of accompanying the kids to this special event. Sunrise Rotary is one of the Gold Sponsors of the Youth Guidance Volunteer Program.
A business, service club, or church group who can provide at least ten volunteers to pair with Youth Guidance children for one activity of its choice one time a year and bear the cost may become a Gold Sponsor. Other Gold Sponsors include Camp, Dresser & McKee, Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt Realty, Disney Resort, Exchange Clubs of Indian River and Treasure Coast, Junior League of Indian River, Merrill Lynch of Vero Beach, Realtors' Association of Indian River County, and Visiting Nurse Association. Opportunities to become Silver or Bronze Sponsors are also available.
Youth Guidance serves 700 at-risk Indian River County children in grades K-12. Its major purpose is to match each child in the program with a mentor, an adult volunteer who meets with the child on a regular basis. The agency also provides one-time activities and outings, such as this baseball adventure, for the more than 500 children waiting for a mentor. Opportunities for volunteers to participate with these "unmatched" children in one or more of these special events occur frequently throughout the year.
The agency is actively seeking volunteers 17 years and older who want to make a difference in a child's life to serve as both mentors and occasional volunteers or to provide regular help in the office.
Persons interested in learning more about becoming a sponsor, volunteering, or making a donation may visit the
www.ircyouth.com website or call Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director, at 772-770-5040 for more information.