Friday, March 29, 2019
Mr. StudFinder Charity Auction Raises Money For Habitat’s Women Build Home in East Stuart
What started with a presentation of a gourmet dinner from a local chef and sunset cruise up the St. Lucie River ended with a pushup contest between Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters and a fresh bowl of whipped cream being passed around the audience.
So went Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s 8th annual Mr. StudFinder Charity Auction, held March 29 at the Hutchinson Shores Resort. All proceeds from the event go towards Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s 2019 Women Build home.
The live auction was preceded by a VIP party where guests and “Studs” mingled on the Hutchinson Shores Resort ocean deck. Following the seafood buffet and the kickoff of the silent auction, emcee Michael Izzolo began the live auction in front of about 150 guests.
Twelve “Studs”, local businessmen who presented their business’ specialty for bids, presented their packages on stage while Izzolo amped up the crowd.
This year’s bid packages included gourmet meals at the Chef’s Table and Harvest Table, Kiteboarding lessons from Next Level Watersports, a sunset cruise on a private yacht, the opportunity to drive heavy machinery and then fly in a private plane for lunch, roundtrip airfare on Southwest Airlines, a crawfish boil for up to 30 people (with a very special Beer & Bourbon bar), and spend-a-day packages with the Martin County Sheriff’s Department and the Martin County Firefighters and Paramedics. Coast 101.3 radio host Larry McKay, auctioned off a $50 gift card to Waterway Café, 2 nights at the Hawthorne Suites in West Palm and a cruise for 2 on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.
At one point during the night, Izzolo used the natural (and friendly) rivalry between the sheriffs and firefighters to raise money for the Women Build home with a pushup contest.
Harvest Table Chef Jimmy Cunningham finished the night by auctioning off an intimate dinner for six at the winning bidder’s home. While Izzolo was gathering bids and running the total higher and higher, Cunningham moved through the audience with a giant bowl, stirring up fresh whipped cream. When finished, he passed put tiny spoons so everyone got at least a taste.
The Mr. StudFinder Charity Auction is an annual event to benefit the construction of the affiliate’s Women Build home. This year’s Women Build will take place in East Stuart in partnership with the Krumfolz family.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Martin County or the Women Build home, go to www.habitatmartin.org.
