(VIERA, FL) December 25, 2023– Once more, the veterans at Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) have donated to help make life better for their brothers and sisters in arms. In early December, the IRCC Foundation approved two grants, presenting a $5,000 check to Operation Warm Heart, along with a $2,000 check to National Veterans Homeless Support. Operation Warm Heart (OWH) receives, manage, and distribute funds to deserving members of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) and their families. The fund is managed by local members of the First Sergeants Council to help Airmen and Guardians deal with emergencies and other unforeseen situations. Volunteers with National Veterans Homeless Support tackle veteran homelessness directly where it exists, finding clients through street level outreach. The group provides homeless vets with the basics to ensure their survival, while building rapport and connecting them to a network of community partners-- moving them rapidly from homeless to housed. For more information about the charitable work of the Indian River Colony Club Foundation, call 321-255-6000.
The Indian River Colony Club Foundation represents the Viera, Florida community comprised largely of military veterans. The ongoing practice of donating to an assortment of veterans causes and charities embodies the community motto of "Service to Those Who Served." The $5,000 grant was the Foundation's first such outreach to Operation Warm Heart. A request for funds from Operation Warm Heart can usually be approved within a day or two, as First Sergeants know the pulse of their Airmen and can expedite the needed help quickly.
"I know the important role the First Sergeants play" said IRCC Foundation Board Member, Mike Feener, USAF (Ret). "And the Foundation is glad to help them assist service members and their families in any way we can."
Anyone interested in donating to OWH can send a check to: Operation Warm Heart, 45 CES CCF, 1138 Jupiter St. Bldg. 526, Patrick SFB, FL 32925.
The Indian River Colony Club community of nearly 800 homes is a dedicated supporter of veterans causes. In recent years, they were presented with the Outstanding Military Service Award by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, for their ongoing efforts on behalf of U.S. military veterans.
Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as "The Place Patriots Call Home." A haven for military veterans, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. Residents have dedicated their lives to military service and continue their efforts in retirement, with a host of ongoing efforts for the betterment of Brevard County veterans and the regional military community.
The generous donors of Indian River Colony Club are represented by the Indian River Colony Club Foundation, under the leadership of Foundation Board Chairman and retired U.S. Navy Commander, Timothy Higgins and Military Services Organization Committee Chair, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brian Whalen. The purpose of the IRCC Foundation is to provide grants for educational, medical, emergency, and other charitable purposes to employees and residents of IRCC and to organizations that assist individuals who are current or former members of the Uniformed Services of the United States. For more information about Indian River Colony Club or the Foundation, call 321-255-6000, visit their website at ColonyClub.com or like their Facebook page.
About Operation Warm Heart -- Operation Warm Heart is a nonprofit organization established by the First Sergeants Council to assist service members and their families in need. The organization raises charitable funds throughout the year to provide monetary assistance to Airmen, Air Force civilians, and contractors who find themselves in a pinch. The goal is to relieve financial stress for Airmen and recipients are never required to reimburse the organization. Since 1985, Operation Warm Heart has also provided nearly $3.6 million to 14,800 limited-income families in crisis to help pay their electric bills. Locally, Operation Warm Heart is a fund run by the Patrick Air Force Base First Sergeant's Council that operates solely from donations and is used to assist Airmen and their families within the 45th Space Wing and its tenant units. Operation Warm Heart provides food baskets to Airmen during the holiday season and is also used throughout the year to fund random acts of kindness.
About National Veterans Homeless Support -- Founded in 2008, National Veterans Homeless Support is based in Brevard County, Florida. Their stated mission is to eliminate homelessness among veterans in Central Florida. NVHS takes a proactive approach: they tackle homelessness directly where it exists --on the streets of our community. They find clients through street level outreach, provide basic needs to ensure their survival and build rapport, and connect veterans to any organization that offers a service beneficial to them, rapidly moving from homeless to housed. NVHS offers three programs created to tackle the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness in Brevard County. These programs are Search and Rescue; Transitional Housing; and Post Traumatic Stress Awareness. They have built a network of community partners and are expanding their outreach activities rapidly across Central Florida to meet the needs of veterans in the region. You can learn more about NVHS and their many efforts at www.nvhs.org.
About Indian River Colony Club – Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club (IRCC) was originally conceived as a retirement destination for military retirees. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course designed by acclaimed Florida golf course architect, Gordon G. Lewis. Social memberships are available for those who live offsite but wish to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle. The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the 2018 Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.ColonyClub.com.
