LOCAL PHILANTHROPISTS HONORED AT NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY LUNCHEON
28TH Annual Event Recognizes Recipients in Five Categories for Commitment to Community
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla) The annual Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Day Awards luncheon is like the Academy Awards for nonprofit organizations. The 28th annual event was no exception, as the Palm Beach County chapter joined AFP chapters throughout the country and across the world to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy. Held recently in the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center this year’s event honored outstanding recipients in four categories for their philanthropic commitment. . A Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented at the event.
“What makes philanthropy unique is that no one is actually required to give of themselves,” said Diane Bergner, AFP Member and Chair of the awards luncheon, as she welcomed guests from the podium. “There are no laws; there are no mandates that force us to donate or get involved. Philanthropy is so powerful and inspiring precisely because it is done on a completely voluntary basis. Through the goodness of our giving hearts, through our need to connect, through our desire to see a better world, philanthropists give unconditionally and are making a big difference. “
More than 300 guests gathered for the luncheon to recognize individuals, foundations and corporations which are changing the world through their gifts. AFP Palm Beach County Chapter President, Amy Brand joined Bergner onstage to present awards to the following: Barbara and Jerome Golden, Outstanding Philanthropists; Anne Keresey, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; the Walter and Adi Blum Foundation, Outstanding Philanthropic Private Foundation; and Seacrest Services, Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation. Helen K. Persson was honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jerome and Barbara Golden’s contributions to the community, with gifts totaling more than $3 million, have made an extraordinary impact on Palm Beach County. The Goldens’ generous support and outstanding leadership at the Kravis Center and the Jerome Center for Behavioral Health span decades and millions in funding. Their most recent commitments in 2013 assisted both the Kravis Center with providing the community with an extensive arts education and outreach program and helped opened the doors to the Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health. Mr. and Dr. Golden accepted the award for Outstanding Philanthropists.
For more than 25 years, Palm Beach resident Anne Keresey has volunteered her time on the boards of Hanley Center and the Hanley Center Foundation. She co-chaired two of the nonprofit residential addiction treatment center’s largest capital campaigns – overseeing more than $16 million in total funds raised. As a legacy toward Mrs. Keresey’s prevention efforts, Hanley Center recently announced the Anne Keresey Endowment for Youth Treatment and Programming. Patty Myura, last year’s recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award presented this year’s award to Mrs. Keresey.
Established in 1987, the Walter and Adi Blum Foundation has achieved a standard of unique and innovating grant making that has had a sizable impact on the disadvantaged and underserved, donating more than $9 million to support such causes. Norman Shaw accepted the AFP award for Outstanding Philanthropic Private Foundation.
A full-service property management company, Seacrest Services believes strongly in giving back to the community it serves. Each year, the family-oriented company volunteers and supports the efforts of nonprofit organizations and individuals, to help those in need flourish. From renovating school field and garden areas to helping families in a bind, Seacrest Services employees do what it takes to make South Florida a great place to live. Matthew Barnes, representing Toshiba Business Solutions who was last year’s recipient of the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation category presented the award to Anjanette Hanna who accepted it onbehalf of Seacrest Services.
Helen K. Persson was a true champion of the arts and humanity. She served on the Kravis Center’s Board of Directors for 15 years and was then elected a Life Trustee. The Persson Rehearsal Hall and the Helen K. Persson Society are both named in her honor. For more than 20 years, she was a steadfast supporter of Palm Beach Opera and was also dedicated to advancing the healthcare profession. Her niece, Daria Stowell, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in Mrs. Persson’s honor.
“Today’s honorees join a prestigious group that has supported our community for decades,” concluded Brand. “In these challenging times, it is inspirational to know the depth of caring offered by community-minded individuals. It is they who help us realize their actions are making a difference today and for future generations.”
Sponsors for the 2013 National Philanthropy Day event included VIP Reception Sponsor, Patty Myura/ The Eleanor Patterson Reeves Foundation; Media Sponsor, the South Florida Business Journal; Program Sponsor, Toshiba Business Solutions; Invitation Sponsor, Palm Beach State College; and Foundation and Underwriting Sponsors Bethesda Hospital Foundation, Gulfstream Goodwill Inc., Kravis Center, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Scripps Florida and South Florida Fair.
AFP represents more than 30,000 members in more than 200 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. The association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. Locally, proceeds from the National Philanthropy Day luncheon will support scholarships for membership and attendance at conferences and international trainings.
For information about the next National Philanthropy Day or membership information for AFP, please contact Amy Brand at 561-737-7733 or visit www.afppbc.org.
PHOTO CREDIT: Corby Kaye’s Studio Palm Beach
1 Diane Bergner, Jay Cashmere, Amy Brand
2 Kristin McCabe, Barbara Golden, Jerry Golden
