HANLEY CENTER FOUNDATION’S 20th ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC CELEBRATES A MILESTONE
Child-friendly benefit raised funds for substance abuse prevention efforts in local schools
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) On Sunday, February 22, Hanley Center Foundation’s 20th annual Family Picnic raised critical funds for the nonprofit’s prevention and education programs. Held under a ringside tent at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, the benefit offered the opportunity for families to come together for a day of activities for all ages – a key way to prevent future substance abuse, according to Picnic chairman Val Perez.
“When statistics say one in four Americans will have an alcohol or drug problem at some point, nearly everyone we know is touched by substance abuse in some way,” shared Perez. “Hanley Center Foundation does an incredible job of educating our community and raising awareness about the effects of addiction. Additionally, events like the Family Picnic offer a great opportunity to gather families – a key component of prevention – to get people talking. The more people are talking, the better chance we have at breaking down the stigma that still comes with the disease of addiction.”
The day’s line up of events included VIP seats for world-class equestrian show jumping, animal encounters, face painting, a photo booth with fun props, a magician, a kids-only silent auction and a family-focused luncheon — marking the Hanley Center Foundation’s 20th year of raising funds for substance abuse prevention efforts in local schools. In addition to the silent auctions, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, honorary chairman, auctioned off “Sheriff for a Day” experiences to three lucky families, raising funds that totaled more than $10,000.
“For twenty years, this event has met a critical need in our community by raising funds for our prevention and education department,” said Hanley Center Foundation CEO Dr. Rachel Docekal. “Our prevention staff provides age-appropriate substance abuse programs to elementary, middle and high school students in public and private schools using a model that reinforces self-confidence, positive messaging and positive peer pressure. We hope the families who attended the Picnic saw it as an opportunity to reinforce that family time is time well spent, all while benefiting a really important cause. We thank our chairs, committee and sponsors for their leadership in making this year’s milestone such a success.”
Led by chairmen Val Perez and Denise Groo; co-chairmen Michelle and Bob Diffenderfer, and Dena and Bill Foman; honorary chairmen Dorothy and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, and honorary media chairmen Roxanne Stein and Bill Adams, this year’s committee included the following members: Teri Barbera, Jack Barrett, Krista Basore, CJ and Turner Benoit, Amy and Ryan Bridger, Sally D. Chester, R.N.; Laura Gallo, Donna and Bob Goldfarb, Suzanne and Michael Holmes, Kai Li Fouts Jette and Chris Jette, Lauren and Daniel Lieberman, Celeste Lioce and Karyn & Justin Cartlidge, Liz Mathewson, Fran Marcone, Michelle and John McGovern, Mary Katherine Morales, Jillian Percella, Michele Poole, Rick Reikenis, John Riordan, Lisa and Dan Thomas, and Karen Vaughn.
Generous sponsors of the Family Picnic included: Hanley Family Foundation; Florida Crystals; Sunny and Abe Rosenberg Foundation; Florida Power & Light Company; Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; Mark and Mary Freitas; McLaughlin & Stern; PNC Wealth Management; Sarah Cortvriend, Esq.; Lewis Longman & Walker, P.A.; TD Bank; Val Perez & Denise Groo; Kai Li Fotus Jette, Esq. & Chris Jette, Esq.; Reikenis & Associates; Table 26, Ed Schmidt and Ozzie Medeiros; LILA PHOTO; Downtown at the Gardens & Kendall Rumsey; Slatkow & Husak Public Relations; Marie & Ted Deckert; Suzanne & Michael Holmes; Barbara Suflas Noble; The First Tee of the Palm Beaches; Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A.; Dari Bowman; Kim Coleman; Anderson, Azeredo & Lioce, CPAs; Cindy & Bob Emmett; The Law Offices of Scott Young, P.A.; and Auction Ladies. Media Sponsors included: Sunny 107.9FM and WPTV NewsChannel 5.
In addition to providing substance abuse prevention and education programs for parents, caregivers and school-age children, Hanley Center Foundation also provides scholarships for patients who could not otherwise afford addiction treatment. For more information about Hanley Center Foundation’s prevention programming or scholarships, please visit www.hanleycenterfoundation.org For more information on Hanley Center Foundation’s special events, please email events@hanleycenterfoundation.org or call (561) 841-1212.