Night at the Races

For Immediate Release

A NIGHT AT THE RACES EVENT RETURNS TO BENEFIT

THE VETERANS COUNCIL OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

By Michele Peters

(VERO BEACH, FL) The Veterans Council of Indian River County (VCIRC) will present A Night at the Races, a Kentucky Derby themed event benefitting the Veterans Council of Indian River County.  A Night at the Races was a huge hit in 2021 and took a hiatus for the 2022 year. After receiving numerous calls and requests for the event, the Veterans Council decided to bring it back, even bigger and better for the 2023 season.

A Night at the Races will take place on the evening of April 22, 2023 at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach.  Guests will enjoy food by Wild Thyme Catering, an open bar serving Mint Juleps, and horse racing excitement in addition to a hat contest, a wine pull, ‘a winner take all’ bourbon wall, great raffle prizes and more. Tickets are $150 per person.  Admission into the venue will begin with an open bar cocktail hour at 6:00pm. Dinner service begins at 7:00pm. The night will be filled with Southern hospitality and derby excitement as we honor veterans and raise much needed funds to continue our mission to serve veterans in need.

During fiscal year 2022, the VCIRC provided a record $220,000 of direct aid. The drastic increase in need for assistance brought to light the need for a more holistic approach to veteran services. This all-encompassing approach not only helps qualified veterans in their time of need with direct aid, but also directs them to community resources that may be able to help the root cause of their financial burdens.

“We are proud of the continued growth of our programs which includes direct aid assisting veterans with emergency financial assistance and home improvements” said Executive Director, Cynthia Ryan.  “We are also proud of the increase our transportation service has seen with delivering our disabled veterans to and from their life sustaining medical appointments both locally and to the West Palm VA Medical Center.  With the community’s help, A Night at the Races will enable the VCIRC to raise additional funds to alleviate our waiting lists.”

Event sponsorships are available. Current sponsors include Mr. Andrew Paul, Ferres Dentistry, Will Willmot, George E Warren LLC, Rosato Plastic Surgery Center, Vatland Honda, Knights of Columbus 3297 – St John of the Cross, Dean Mead Minton & Moore, The Mobile Buzz Co., and Minuteman Press.  Tickets and Sponsorships may be purchased online at www.helpircvets.org or by calling (772) 410-5820

The Veterans Council of Indian River County is the lead agency for providing programs and direct aid to veterans and their families in Indian River County and is a United Way of Indian River partner agency.  The mission of Veterans Council of Indian River County is to support all Indian River County veterans and their families while raising awareness of veteran’s needs and their contributions to society.

For more information about the Veterans Council of Indian River County, visit  http://helpIRCvets.org or call (772) 410-5820

Photo Credit: Lee Orre
Caption: Mr. Chuck Osteen and guest, lucky winner of the 2021 Bourbon Wall raffle
Photo Credit: Lee Orre
Caption: Stacey Watson-Mesley, 2021 winner of the Best Derby Hat contest, with her husband Michael Mesley.
Tiffany Bent
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