- April 26, 2024
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Left to right: Stewart Manthey, Eve Marie Labrano, Lorraine Vickery, Dave Luenzmann, Janis Farrell and Joe Funaro Photos by Anastasia Pagello
Painting "Fairchild Oak" to be auctioned to raise funds for the Samaritan Ministries organization.
John Gravlee, Aida Gravlee, Board of Director Joe Funaro and Jacquie Funaro
Executive Officer at the Flagler Home Builders Association Debi Peterson with her daughter Holly.
Marjorie Bostwick introduces the founder of the organization, Lorraine Vickery.
Pianist Xavier Ryan
“Samaritan Ministries scoops you into their arms when you feel you can no longer stand on your own two feet.”
-Client and “I am a Starfish” speaker
Samaritan Ministries held the Save the Starfish Soiree fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Pine Lakes Country Club. Every year the organization holds a major fundraiser to raise money towards helping abused, homeless and impoverished women and children in Flagler County. The organization was founded by Executive Director Lorraine Vickery, her husband Van, and Magdalena Williams in 2001. In 14 years the organization has aided over 330 women and children.
“I was homeless at one point in my life,” Executive Director Lorraine Vickery said. “I know what it feels like to be rejected by society.” Through her life experiences, Vickery founded Samaritan Ministries to aid women who have nowhere else to turn.
At the Starfish Soiree, three women who are clients of the organization shared their personal experiences and described the assistance they received through Samaritan Ministries.
“I was homeless with two kids only nine months ago,” one of the clients said. “We were being bounced around town to different resources looking for help. No substantial aid came until I was referred to Lorraine. She was the last one and didn’t ask any questions. She just helped and gave me a gas card right away. I was able to make it to the job I had been offered.” Today she is back on her feet with a job and able to support her children on her own.
Within the next two years, the organization hopes to gain transitional housing to aid women and their children going through a crisis.
