Among Connie Poppell’s role while Vice President at Sun Bank, was leading the Bank’s philanthropic connections on the Treasure Coast. Among the relationships she formed during this time was Connie’s continuing relationship with the Indian River Habitat for Humanity mission.
After she retired, the invitation to join Indian River Habitat’s board of directors led to numerous life enriching experiences, a deep understanding of what it takes to build a home from the ground up, and the formation of relationships that Connie says will last a lifetime.
As Connie looks back, she recalls the story of a mother and her two children. They were forced to flee Miami due to an abusive spousal relationship, and arrived to Vero Beach with nothing but the clothes on their backs. When they entered Indian River Habitat’s affordable homeownership program, Connie gave of herself and her time to help the young family. She would pick the kids up from school, help them with their homework and offered her assistance in any way that she could.
Many years later, Connie’s connection with this and several Habitat families remains. Eager to be among the first in line to welcome families into the next phase of their lives, Connie is often among those that attend Habitat wall raising and new home dedication ceremonies. To her, these milestone occasions are so much more than just the passing a key or a hammer. As she puts it, these might be tiny symbols, but hold great meaning as they commemorate a day of great impact in the life of a family. For Connie, bearing witness and giving her support is among the things she finds most fulfilling.
Over the years, Connie and her husband Ralph have given generously of their time and treasure, often supporting Habitat fundraising initiatives as event sponsors through their business, Float-On Corporation.
