FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2009

Contact:
Jennifer Martinez, Communications Manager
Hospice of Palm Beach County
(561) 273 -2194 or [email protected]

Camp SeaStar Welcomes Dozens of Children for Another Successful Year

Hospice of Palm Beach County Program Offers
Children A Safe Environment to Share Feelings

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL. – With hope in the air and the sun shining high, dozens of children packed their bags and came out for the annual sleep away camp, Camp SeaStar, hosted by Hospice of Palm Beach County’s John J. Brogan Bereavement Center. Each year, the camp welcomes children ages 5 – 18 who have lost someone close to them for a weekend of adventure that allows them an opportunity to share and understand their feelings.

“We designed this camp as a way of helping children who have experienced a loss,” said Regina DiPietro, Director of Supportive Services. “In a non-threatening environment we are able to counsel these children and help them identify ways to cope with their feelings. Most of the children leave with an improved self-esteem, better coping skills and a way to recognize and validate their feelings. They even leave with new friends!”

Camp SeaStar, now in its 11th year, has helped hundreds of children. The fun-filled weekend, which takes place at Everglades Youth Camp, includes: canoeing, swimming, a cabin decorating contest and tons of activities, all focused on honoring the loved ones they have lost. The finale of the weekend is a touching drum circle in which all campers and volunteers participate in. “The ceremony is truly moving,” said DiPietro. “It is just a big finale to the end of a very heartwarming weekend.”

“Before I came to camp I was feeling very sad,” said camper Deanna Harris “Being here helped me to remember to focus on the good times when I get sad. We learned teamwork, and how to help each other. This weekend also taught us to not only to deal with our losses, but to deal with people.”

PHOTO CUTLINE:
Photo 1 – Preston Zochowski-Thomas, Tiffany Viner, Mark Buono, Joaquin Alvear

Hospice of Palm Beach County is proud to offer Camp SeaStar free of charge. Children and teens are welcome to attend the camp up to two times. For more information on how you can help Camp Seastar, or if you know a child who needs bereavement services, please contact the John J. Brogan Bereavement Center at (561) 227-5175.

About Hospice of Palm Beach County:
Hospice of Palm Beach County, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization is dedicated to meeting every need of patients and families faced with advanced illness. The organization offers a comprehensive range of programs and services – from nationally recognized hospice care to music therapy, massage and loss-specific healing services. Full bereavement support is offered to hospice families and to anyone in the community in need.

Care is provided wherever the patient is – the home, skilled nursing or assisted living facility, hospital or hospice inpatient unit, including the C.W. Gerstenberg Hospice Center in West Palm Beach, the Jay Robert Lauer Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at JFK Medical Center, the Bethesda Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, and the Hospice and Palliative Care Units at Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. Hospice of Palm Beach County’s focus is on quality of life. The organization is sensitive to and respectful of religious, cultural and personal beliefs.

Licensed since 1981
Accredited by The Joint Commission. 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Organization Accredited as a Jewish Hospice by the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis, Inc.
Serving all of Palm Beach County – Boca Raton to Tequesta, the Glades to the
Beach

PR Date:  April 24, 2009                                       

Contact:  Pastor Marjorie Weiss

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           Phone:  561-793-4999

          Community children ages four through grade six are invited to participate in Vacation Bible School to be held at St. Michael Lutheran Church located at the corner of Birkdale Drive and Forest Hill Boulevard in Wellington,  from Sunday, June 7 to Thursday, June 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The theme, Crocodile Dock: Where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light, uses a bayou focus to help children learn about Jesus.  Pastor Marjorie Weiss says,  “Each day kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble theme oriented snacks, take on a Daily Challenge to let God’s love grow in their homes, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of each day’s theme, and create Bible Point Crafts they’ll take home and play with all summer long.”

This week is affordable at ten dollars per child and $5 for any sibling who also attends.  There will also be an offering received each night for children affected by natural disasters.  All who register by May 17 get a free tee shirt. Call 793-4999 or e-mail [email protected].

Taste of the West 2009

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will present its 12^th annual Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers’ Festival on Thursday, June 4^th at the South Florida EXPO Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach.  Palms West Chamber Executive Director, Jaene Miranda says, “Due to the success of this very popular west central communities’ event, we found a great venue . . . the Expo Center is the ideal space to grow, and also provides easy accessibility for attendees from all locations in Palm Beach County.”

We asked Special Events Coordinator Catherine Engel a few questions about this year’s Taste of the West event.

Tell us about the Taste of the West.  How did it get started? 

The Palms West Chamber’s Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers’ Festival was previously held at the Royal Palm Beach High School Cafeteria for many years. The event has now grown into the western communities’ premier food tasting event and business expo with over 1500 people taking part in the fun. Because of this growth, the Chamber was thrilled to move the event to the South Florida Fair’s Americraft Expo Center which provides a comfortable and spacious indoor setting for our restaurants and businesses to showcase their products.

What’s one of the favorite “forms of chocolate” that people will see (and taste) at this event?

The chocolate desserts are everyone’s favorite; it seems that people gravitate towards Hoffman’s Chocolates. They bring this amazing chocolate fountain, where you can pick your dipping munchies. It is sinful!

What’s new this year?  

A Kids Cooking Corner has been added.  Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, kids will wallow in chocolate as they learn how to make delectable chocolate treats with Dianne Morin of Marroc Cooking for Kids.  Kids will also learn about “The Science of Chocolate” at the Science Museum booth.   Participating children must be pre-registered to participate.   Visit www.palmswest.com to sign up. Or call (561) 790-6200.

What’s your own favorite thing about the Taste of the West?

Well, of course, all the delectable food samples from our local restaurants.

Tell us about the chef competitions that will be taking place this

year.   

Using all of their imaginative cake decorating skills, four chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute will share their expertise in the art of chocolate cake decorating at the Americraft Kitchen, Center Court.

For more information about this special event, contact the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at 561-790-6200.