Altruism and athletics recently came together at the 2025 Family 5K Walk & Run hosted by Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club in Vero Beach, FL. More than 200 club members and their families participated in the annual event, which featured a scenic course, continental breakfast, and an awards ceremony.
Afterward, Orchid Island General Manager Rob Tench and Club President Bill Kennedy presented a $32,000 check to Phil Barnes, Executive Director of the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy. The Vero Beach-based organization provides essential mentoring and educational programs for children and young adults with limited resources in Indian River County.
“Supporting the community through philanthropic efforts is so important to our members, and fitness is also a big part of the lifestyle here at Orchid Island,” Tench said. “It was a wonderful morning for our members to combine charity with some friendly competition on a beautiful day in South Florida.”
Barnes expressed deep appreciation for the club’s generosity.
“We’re thrilled and honored to be the beneficiary of this year’s Family 5K Walk & Run and cannot thank Orchid Island enough for their support. Proceeds will directly fund youth programs, including summer camps and certification training in the construction trades.”
Spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River, Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club is highly sought-after for its laidback waterfront lifestyle. The Beach Club serves as the heart of the community, with a resort-style pool, world-class fitness center, salon and spa, and multiple dining venues overlooking the azure Atlantic Ocean. Residents also enjoy nearly a mile of a secluded beach, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, and an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Located along Florida’s Treasure Coast, the property is home to a wide variety of premier riverfront and oceanfront estates, courtyard homes, cottages, and mid-rise condominiums.
Photo Courtesy of Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club