Grassy Waters Preserve 12th Annual Gala and Golf Classic Sold Out

By: Bob Nichols

Source: Grassy Waters Preserve

Date: November 3, 2009

West Palm Beach, Fl.—Bucking the trend of cancelled fund-raising events in a very difficult economic climate for non-profit groups the Grassy Waters Preserve Non-profit Organization announced its 12^th Annual Gala and Golf Classic October 9^th and 10^th was completely sold out!

300 guests attended the environmental group’s Friday evening gala dinner-dance and auction, while 50 foursomes of golfers were on hand for the golf event Saturday morning.

The Gala and Golf was held, as it has been for all 12 years, at the IBIS Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach.

The highlight of the evening event was the presentation of the inaugural Grassy Waters Preserve Environmental Pathfinder Award to County Commissioner Jeff Koons. Koons was honored for his years of dedication to helping preserve the environment of South Florida, both as a West Palm Beach City Commissioner and in his years on the County Commission.

In accepting the award, Commissioner Koons told the crowd that while a lot as been accomplished in environmental preservation and recreation opportunities in the past decade, there is a great deal still to be done. The Commissioner challenged everyone in the room to continue the work to create environmental recreation for future generations.

Also receiving an award during the evening, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel for her long-standing support of the environmental education and recreation programs at the preserve and dedication to creating sustainability programs for the City of West Palm Beach. Mayor Frankel is one of the first, if not the first, to create an office of sustainability in an American City.

IBIS developer Syd Kitson, a GWP Non-profit board member, was recognized for his years of dedication to the Grassy Waters Preserve nonprofit organization. Kitson has opened the IBIS Country Club the to annual Gala and Golf Classic for each of its 12 years, and provided additional financial help for the event. Kitson has contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars in support of the event and environmental programs at the preserve.

Ji-Ang Song, also a GWP board member, was cited for his 12 years of service to the organization and recognized as the person who first began the annual fundraiser in 1996.

The GWP Gala and Golf Classic sponsor this year was a team of companies formed to advance the creation of useful energy from waste. BE & K, B & W, and CDM comprise the waste to energy team working together with the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority. They are forging into the future with a vision to create efficient energy from solid waste. B& W’s Bill Arvan, CDM’s Kevin Leo, and BE&K’s Steve Johnson were honored for their individual support and the financial support from the Team for the Grassy Waters Preserve Nonprofit annual fund-raiser.

The evening’s silent auction, raffles, and “live” auction hosted by former TV news anchor Bob Nichols, now the CEO/Executive Director of the GWP nonprofit, helped the non-profit group raise just over $80,000. “The great turnout for this very successful event is a tribute to those who support protection of our environment and the programs available at Grassy Waters Preserve,” said Nichols.

Another highlight of the event, was the introduction of a new drink named after the infamous “muck monster” which is said to be lurking in the waters near the City of West Palm Beach. Sightings of the “muck monster” have been more frequent lately and to honor the unknown critter, the GWP golf tournament offered a new concoction created with the help of the Whole Foods Market staff. It can now be revealed that the drink is made from the slightly carbonated drink OOBA, which is high in nutrients and antioxidants, and a small amount of vodka. OOBA, which is available at all Whole Foods Markets, is delicious even without alcohol.

The Grassy Waters Preserve Non-profit is dedicated to assisting the City of West Palm Beach to establish and continue environmental education and recreations programs at the preserve.

The group also works to promote the preserve to the general public through outreach programs to schools, civic organizations, and fraternal groups.

It also hosts and manages a complete website dedicated to all events and programs at the preserve. In addition the GWP non-profit raises funds to help the city offset the cost of programs and events, especially educational programs for local school students.

The funding is sought by grant applications, individual donations, donation boxes at the preserve, membership opportunities and fund-raising events, like the annual Gala and Golf Classic, Wine and Dine on the boardwalk in the wetland preserve, annual plant sale, and sale of premium items on line and at the preserve.

Grassy Waters Preserve is located on Northlake Blvd. just west of Highway 710(Beeline Hwy) and is open seven days a week. There is no charge for entrance to the preserve. Canoeing and hiking excursions are available and more information about events and programs is available at our website, www.grassywaterspreserve.org.

For more information contact: Kelly Gebhart: kgebhart@wpb.org

All photos were taken by Daryl

Davidoff