The Ponte Vedra Recorder Nov. 12, 2015 | Page 22

22 Community News Ponte Vedra Recorder · November 12, 2015 Photos provided by Lori Anderson Mission House case managers Carmen Whisler and Jane McIntosh checked in Sponsors at the event’s VIP area. From left to right are Wendy Kennedy (representing sponsor company Morgan Stanley-Baggs, Dixon and Powell), with Mission House board member Karen Hughes, Karen Perry, and Mission House Board Vice President Tom Perry. Community joins to support Mission House at annual fundraiser By Kelly H. McDermott The Recorder Mission House hosted its signature annual fundraising event, Compassion By the Sea, last month at the Plantation Beach House at Ponte Vedra. More than 300 people attended the event, which has grown since its inception. The event raised $50,000 for Mission House this year according to Executive Director Lori Anderson. This year, Compassion By the Sea included live music by Could 9, a silent auction, raffle and a wine pull. Guests were offered wine, beer, a fish taco bar, pulled pork sliders, skewered chicken and the option to make s’mores for dessert over an open fire. Mission House is a day facility in Jacksonville Beach that helps the homeless survive and return to productive, independent lives. The organization is the primary source for services to homeless adults in the Jacksonville Beaches area and provides job training, counseling and health care services. Compassion By the Sea is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The organization recently began a large-scale remodeling project at its original site in order to expand the services that it offers. The new facility will provide a larger and more comfortable clinic space. To learn more about Mission House, visit www.missionhousejax.org. The silent auction offered a huge variety of items, including trips to Napa and Arizona. Mission House Fundraiser Chair Laurie Bush with Robert La Pointe The silent auction was hosted inside with 86 items ranging from a guitar signed by every band member of the Rolling stones, to a house in the Bahamas and a basket full of candles. Sponsor Joni Zwick (right) from Coldwell Banker with checks out the series of baskets at the silent auction with another event attendee.