Members of Beach Ambassadors recently visited St. Mary’s Home to present a check for $7,012 — 75 percent of the proceeds from the group’s Battle of the Beers event. While at the Home, they met 6-year-old Adrian and a special jolly guest. Standing, from left: Shannon Edsall, St. Mary’s development associate; Beach Ambassadors member Philip Casone; Beach Ambassadors President Jeff Hubbard; St. Mary’s CEO William C. Giermak; Mary Helen Hilton, St. Mary’s director of annual giving; Shirley Justice, St. Mary’s community liaison; and Martha Price Stewart, St. Mary’s director of development. Seated, from left: Marlin “Mo” Patrick, a Dominion Virginia Power employee who’s been visiting the children dressed as Santa Claus for years at the holidays; Adrian, who lives at the Home; and Beach Ambassadors member Andy Beale.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 16, 2014) — Beach Ambassadors recently raised more than $7,000 to help children and young adults with severe disabilities who live at St. Mary’s Home.
Beach Ambassadors supports local charities through community service projects, as well as social and sporting events. Members have volunteered at St. Mary’s Home, helping children swim in a therapy pool, assisting with therapy dogs at the Home and decorating for a fall festival.
Members returned to St. Mary’s in early December to present a donation of $7,012 — 75 percent of the proceeds from the Beach Ambassadors’ Battle of the Beers among local breweries, held Oct. 25 at Tapped Gastropub in Virginia Beach. At the Home, the Ambassadors met with some of the children and a special guest, Santa Claus (portrayed by Marlin “Mo” Patrick, a Dominion Virginia Power employee who has been visiting the children in costume during the holidays for years).
“From the moment we stepped foot in St. Mary’s Home, we all knew we wanted to be associated with this wonderful organization,” said Beach Ambassadors President Jeff Hubbard. “We are honored to donate this money, and look forward to a lasting relationship with the children, employees and volunteers of St. Mary’s.”
St. Mary’s CEO William C. Giermak said the Home is fortunate to have friends and supporters like Beach Ambassadors, at the holidays and throughout the year. “They help make it possible for children and young adults with disabilities to be happy and healthy while receiving the complex care they need,” Giermak said.
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