History

A Community Built on Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The history of Star Bright Civic Collective is, at its heart, the story of a small group of Ocean Ridge residents who believed that caring for a community requires more than good intentions. It requires people willing to recognize a need, accept responsibility and take action

The organization’s beginnings can be traced to 2021, when a group of Ocean Ridge residents began calling attention to the need to provide more services and support for Ocean Ridge residents. They brought together a dedicated group of residents to discuss how they might improve the quality of life in their town, particularly for residents facing circumstances that could not always be addressed through existing municipal or community resources.

The need for such an organization became unmistakably clear after a severe medical emergency involving a local resident, who was central to the discussions about Star Bright in the initial meetings, demonstrated a gap in available EMT trained police officers in the town. The incident demonstrated that an emergency could become a tragedy if residents did not receive the right treatment support while awaiting an ambulance.

Rather than simply acknowledging the problem, the group chose to build something that could help solve it. With the leadership and commitment of its founding volunteer board, Star Bright Civic Collective was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Its mission was deliberately local: to provide support for Ocean Ridge residents through community outreach, programs and engagement, helping members of the community preserve their quality of life.

The First Gift and the First Act of Service

Every civic organization has a moment when an idea becomes a tangible act. ( For Star Bright, that moment came through the generosity of a local family.)

(That initial donation provided the young organization with the resources to begin its work by funding emergency medical training for Ocean Ridge personnel.) That first contribution established an important principle that has continued to guide Star Bright: funds raised in the name of the community should be converted into practical programs, equipment and services that directly benefit the community.

Emergency preparedness was not chosen as a ceremonial first project. It was a direct response to the experience that had helped bring the organization into being. By investing in training, Star Bright sought to strengthen the town’s ability to respond when residents were most vulnerable.

From that first initiative, the organization expanded its support for public safety. Star Bright funded EMS training for Ocean Ridge police officers and later partnered with the Police Department to provide CPR, AED, first aid and Stop the Bleed® instruction for residents. Participants received training at no charge, along with first aid kits provided by the organization.

From Emergency Response to Community Well-Being

Star Bright’s founders understood that the well-being of a town cannot be measured only by its response to emergencies. A strong community must also help residents prepare for the future, remain connected to one another and participate meaningfully in the life of the town.

The organization therefore broadened its work to include educational, social, cultural, environmental and wellness programs.

Star Bright has sponsored workshops to help residents understand the decisions and challenges associated with aging, including long-term care and maintaining independence. It has offered meditation and wellness programming, first aid education and opportunities for residents to learn skills that may one day help them protect a neighbor or family member. 

It has also created opportunities for connection through bingo nights, local art exhibitions, musical performances, community events and gatherings. These events may appear modest when considered individually, but together they serve an important civic purpose. They allow neighbors to meet, build relationships and remain engaged with the community around them. Star Bright’s bingo nights, for example, were designed not simply as entertainment, but as a welcoming way for residents of different ages to socialize and strengthen community ties.

Environmental stewardship and beach safety has become another part of Star Bright’s work. Through beach cleanups and related activities, volunteers have helped preserve one of Ocean Ridge’s most important natural resources while encouraging residents to take an active role in caring for their surroundings.

Investing in a Safer Ocean Ridge

As Star Bright grew, so did the scale of the projects it was able to support.

Working with town leaders and public safety personnel, the organization helped fund equipment and infrastructure intended to improve emergency response, rescue capabilities and everyday safety. These investments have included a sophisticated drone to assist with rescue and emergency operations, static safety cameras, lighted crosswalk improvements, Stop the Bleed® kits, a trailer and a golf cart to support town operations and official activities.

By April 2026, residents and supporters working through Star Bright had contributed more than $100,000 in equipment, services and community programming to Ocean Ridge. ( The organization’s investments included $25,000 for EMS training, $40,000 for the drone initiative, $24,000 for static cameras, $15,000 for a golf cart and additional funding for crosswalks, safety equipment and resident programs.)

These projects reflect Star Bright’s distinctive role in the town. The organization does not seek to replace municipal government or public safety agencies. Instead, it works alongside them, helping accelerate projects, supplement available resources and fund worthwhile initiatives that might otherwise be delayed or remain outside traditional municipal budgets.

Residents Leading for Residents

Star Bright’s strength has always come from its volunteers.

The founding board brought together residents who were willing to contribute their time, experience, relationships and resources to create an organization from the ground up. Janet Schijns served as Star Bright’s first president, helping establish its initial structure, mission and programs. Carol Besler, whose dedication was instrumental in the organization’s founding, now serves as president and continues to guide its growth. Carol has led the group from a start-up mentality to a fully operational organization capable of supporting the needs of the town across a variety of endeavors.

Under this resident-led model, Star Bright has remained closely connected to the people it serves. Programs are developed in response to local needs. Volunteers collaborate with residents, town officials, the Ocean Ridge Police Department, local performers, educators, businesses and other community organizations. Speakers and entertainers frequently donate their time, allowing the organization to direct more of its resources toward services and equipment.

The result is a form of civic leadership that is personal, practical and distinctly Ocean Ridge.

A Tradition of Generosity at Eau Palm Beach

Star Bright’s expanding impact has been made possible in significant part through its annual signature fundraising events at Eau Palm Beach Resort.

These gatherings bring together residents, town leaders, businesses, sponsors and supporters in celebration of Ocean Ridge and the shared responsibility of caring for its future. The 2026 event sold out, exceeded its fundraising goals and welcomed more than 100 residents, community influencers and supporters.