GRACEWAY VILLAGE RAISES OVER $100,000 AT SOLD OUT CELEBRATION

FORT PIERCE – GraceWay Village (GWV) hosted its Big Dreams Great Expectations
celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10 at its headquarters in Fort Pierce.

Stakeholders, donors, event sponsors, board, committee and staff members, advocates,
and volunteers enjoyed the sold out event in support of the nonprofit’s highly
anticipated Family Restorative Living Facility campaign launch and in celebration of its
15 years of service to the surrounding community. 

Its mission includes feeding the hungry, providing clothing to children ages infant
through 18, and hosting basic life skills workshops designed to improve lives and
productivity. GWV fulfills its mission by providing free, hot meals in its Cafe four nights
a week and appropriate clothing, underwear, socks, and shoes to children in its Clothing
Boutique two days a week, in addition to its weekly educational workshops.

GWV initiatives are free for our neighbors in need, making fundraisers like Big Dreams
Great Expectations crucial to maintaining a community that offers every opportunity for
those in crisis to build a foundation for a healthy, independent, and sustainable life.

“I am overjoyed to have the support of our community. Their involvement makes our
mission a reality for so many of our neighbors living in crisis” said Chrystal Netherton,
GraceWay Village chief executive officer. “I was thrilled to stand in the exact location
where our 17,000-square-foot Village will be constructed with the help of our
community.” 

The event included cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions, dinner, dessert,
live music, and comedy, with KC Daniel as auctioneer and Moonswiners Bar-B-Q
Manager Beau Slay and Neese Roofing and Construction Owner Larry Neese serving as
the event’s entertaining emcees. 

“Choosing the name ‘Big Dreams, Great Expectations’ for our event was intentional.
GraceWay Village has nurtured the dream of completing The Village—an initiative
aimed at providing safety, structure, and financial skills to families on the brink of
homelessness,” Netherton said. “Our great expectation is that the community will stand
beside us, turning this dream into reality in 2024!”

An exhilarating one-million dollar match was announced during the event, initiating a
wave of excitement throughout the audience of over 300 supporters. 

“Completing the Village is not just about a new building. We are constructing bridges to
stability and education. Families threatened with homelessness will find not just shelter,
but a path to self sufficiency,” Netherton said. “With the million dollar match from
William and Estelle Turney leading the way, this legacy project is an investment in a
future where families have the chance to thrive.”

Congressman Brian Mast spoke to the audience about the importance of GWV’s mission
and programs on the Treasure Coast, and Comedian Jose Sarduy concluded the evening
with laughter and merriment. 

Event sponsors included Diamond Sponsor Neese Roofing and Construction; Platinum
Sponsors SportLife Distribution and Richard K. Davis Construction; Gold Sponsor
Topps Products; Silver Sponsors St. Lucie County Property Appraiser Michelle Franklin,
Treasure Coast Hope for the Homeless Foundation, Seacoast Bank, Engineering Design
and Construction, Inc. (EDC), The Estate, Trust and Elder Law Firm, and 4KIDS
Treasure Coast; Bronze Sponsor I Love You The Whole Wide World; Dinner Sponsor
Moonswiners Bar-B-Q; Catering Sponsor DSK Planning and Catering; Bar Sponsor
Southern Eagle Distributing; Furnishings Sponsor J-5 Ranch; Event Planning Sponsor
RJB Celebrations; and Greenery Sponsor Leighton Farms.

The event’s dedicated planning committee included Mary Beth Cullins, Robin
Dannahower, Lisa Jensen, Brianna Mast, Chrystal Netherton, Angel Robertson, Estelle
Turney and Brianna Zerga.

“The Big Dreams Great Expectations celebration event was magical. It touched my heart
to see the community come together on a picture-perfect night,” said Mary Beth Cullins,
GraceWay Village board of directors chair and event committee member. “You could
just feel the excitement and God's presence.”

The event raised over $100,000 for GWV’s next step in completing the Village: The
Family Restorative Living Facility. The facility will provide temporary and safe housing
for families and their children facing unexpected, serious crises in their lives, with the
goal being for them to become self-sufficient, healthy family units.

Visit gracewayvillage.com or call 772-925-3074 for more information about GraceWay
Village. “Like” GWV on Facebook and follow on Instagram @gracewayvillageslc.

About GraceWay Village
GraceWay Village (GWV) is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and has served Treasure
Coast residents struggling with poverty, food scarcity, homelessness, and other tragic
needs since 2009. Its mission is to feed the hungry, provide clothing, new socks, and
underwear to children ages infant through 18, and conduct life skills workshops
designed to improve lives and productivity. GWV initiatives are free for all qualifying
participants. Chrystal Netherton is the Chief Executive Officer. For more information
about GWV, visit gracewayvillage.com or call 772-925-3074. “Like” GWV on Facebook
and follow on Instagram @gracewayvillageslc.