AROUND WELLINGTON STORIES OF THE MONTH

by Lydia Patterson and Cal Miller

 

 

The Goodwill’s Programs

What You Might Not Know about the Goodwill

 

 

Imagine you have a successful career on Wall Street for one of the largest financial institutions in the world.  You have received awards and recognition not only from your business peers but also from your community. You are also fortunate to have a beautiful home and a loving family. Image on a cold day in January 1990, you leave work, begin to drive home and are struck in a head-on collision by another car that has run the stop sign. This one event has changed your life forever.

 

This actually happened to Lydia Patterson. If you see Lydia today, she is a confident, attractive, vibrant woman who always has a kind word to say and a warm smile on her face. The struggle to get back to this point has taken great determination and drive. Due to Lydia’s accident, she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, even though she was wearing her seat belt. Due to her brain injury, Lydia experienced disorientation, depression, attention problems and chronic frustration. 

 

Lydia soon lost her job and her personal life changed dramatically. Lydia struggled with these symptoms for almost four years. In 1992, Lydia and her husband Berman, decided to move to Wellington, Florida. It was in Florida that Lydia was introduced to Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and its Traumatic Brain Injury program. “It wasn’t until I entered the Goodwill program that all the pieces of the puzzle of my condition began to come together,” says Lydia.

 

Gulfstream Goodwill Industries was established in 1966. The mission of the agency is to assist persons with disabilities to become self-sufficient working members of the community. The non-profit has grown tremendously over a period of more than 40 years of serving the community. It has four rehabilitation centers that serve its five- county area. Last year alone, Goodwill helped almost 5,000 people like Lydia.

Goodwill not only has a traumatic brain injury program but it also offers job evaluation, training and placement. It has four homeless programs and has recently begun working with non-violent offenders who have been released from prison. These are just some of the programs that Goodwill offers. 

 

When people hear the name Goodwill, many automatically think of the Goodwill retail stores. Gulfstream Goodwill operates 25 retail stores in its territory and the money raised by the donated items are sold to generate money to run its rehabilitation programs. Due to the downturn in the economy and steep cuts in government spending, last year was especially difficult for the organization. Sales have begun to increase this year, but the organization now finds itself in desperate need of donations of housewares, furniture and clothing. 

 

Lydia was so impressed with the service she received at Goodwill that she decided to join its board of directors to help spread the agency’s message.” This community needs the quality programs that Goodwill offers. After one’s external wounds heal, there is a long and difficult journey to heal internally and emotionally.”

 

Lydia went to work with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County after leaving the Traumatic Brain Injury Program.  Following her two years with the Foundation, she managed several consulting projects, and became fully retired in 2005. Lydia continues her work with the Goodwill Board, and her membership in the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and Leadership Palm Beach County.

 

Lydia is grateful for all of the opportunities that coming to Gulfstream Goodwill has given her. “I would just like to say, ‘Thank you, Gulfstream Goodwill.’”

 

For more information on Gulfstream Goodwill programs: Cal Miller (561) 848-7200 X3250; or visit www.gulfstreamgoodwill.com.

 

 

 

AROUND WELLINGTON STORIES OF THE MONTH

Flavors 2009 Presented by the Wellington Chamber

An Interview with Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce

Tell us about Flavors 2009.  What’s new for this year?

On Friday, May 8th, at the elite International Polo Club Palm Beach, twenty plus of Wellington’s finest dining establishments will offer up their most tasty samplings. This fifth year tasting event is honored as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s “Signature Event” and will take place from 6:30-9:30 PM. 

Celebrity judges to date are Roxanne Stein, WPTV Newschannel 5, Mayor of Wellington Darrell Bowen and Carmine Priore III. FPL West County Energy Center’s John Wash, International Polo Club Palm Beach’s Julie Pickens, International Polo Club Palm Beach’s Chef Gonzalez and International Polo Club Palm Beach. This is a JURIED COMPETITION!

Who are some of the participating restaurants/ caterers?

To date, the list includes: White Horse Tavern, Binks Forest Golf Club, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Aarons Catering, Costco, Christy’s NY Style Cheesecake and Bakery, Starbucks, Pizza Fusion, The Gypsy’s Horse, Strathmore Bagel, Mississippi Sweets, Earl of Sandwich. And there are many, many more to come!

As one of the people who coordinate the event, what is YOUR favorite part of the event?

Music Masters International 20-Piece Stage Band 4! Over 600 people from all over Palm Beach County attend!

“This is our biggest social event of the season and we are proud to boast this will be our sixth year hosting this event.  Each year this event gets bigger and better well attended, with the announcement of Alec Domb and John Mercer as our chairman, this year will no doubt exceed all our expectations.”

How much are tickets? What’s the phone number to call for tickets in advance?

It’s $ 25.00 Advance Ticket Sales and $ 30.00 at the Door. Also you can reserve a VIP Table for $500. Call the Wellington Chamber at 561- 792-6525 for tickets. It’s a family-friendly event! Children are welcome!!

AROUND WELLINGTON STORIES OF THE MONTH

My Gym Benefit for Children’s Coalition

Local children’s fitness center teams with non-profit to deliver toys and necessities to underprivileged youth.

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center of Royal Palm Beach will host a toy and cash donation drive and raffle to benefit the Children’s Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to providing media arts and technology to at-risk youth in West Palm Beach.

Donations are being accepted between now and Friday, May 22nd, when My Gym will host a Family Wellness Fair between 10 am and 2pm at 518 N. State Road 7.

“Hosting this drive for the Children’s Coalition, who are in need of support is the least we could do,” said Tom Copeland, Director of My Gym Royal Palm Beach. “My Gym is more than just a fitness facility for children-it’s a place to empower them by helping to develop the skills, confidence and positive self-image they need to become healthy young adults. The Children’s Coalition shares this compassion as they shape the lives of at-risk teens to become healthy, productive adults.”

We asked Tom Copeland of My Gym a few questions about this terrific fundraiser and about the activities planned for May 22^nd.

Who are some of the presenters planned for the Wellness Fair?

Activities will include a bounce house, Fire Trucks For Fun offering fire truck display and teddy bear stuffing activities, car seat safety checks, kids cooking class with Fun Chefs, and a Whole Foods Market tasting activity. Free to the public and anyone interested in signing up for classes with My Gym.

Are there preferred donations…when it comes to toys, clothing or cash? 

Lightly-used toys and cash. Prizes and donations from local business will also be raffled away. All donations are appreciated.

Is this the first time My Gym has done this benefit?  Will it be an annual event?

This is the first annual Spring Health Fair.

How did you get the idea to do this Wellness Fair/Benefit?

We change the lives of the children we see everyday through our classes, but it’s the children we don’t see that are just as important. Establishing a trusted partnership with the Children’s Coalition is a great way to enhance the lives of unfortunate children, spread some awareness of the importance of health and fitness, and give the community a change to give back with us. My Gym is personally donating nearly 25 brand new Playskool toys and some free classes.

How old is the Children’s Coalition? Where are they based out of? 

Founder Carlton Cartwright received 501(c) clearance in 1994 while based in West Palm Beach, FL.

How can local people get involved in this event…how can parents of My Gym students get more involved?

Although we’re hosting the Health Fair and Donation Drive, it’s the parents, students, and attendees who will make the difference – the cash and toys we receive will go directly to TCCI. The worldwide recession has left small businesses battered, and non-profit charitable giving has sharply declined. This is a chance to give to those who deserve giving so that, despite all adversity, we can put a smile on our face and theirs.

For more information about My Gym Royal Palm Beach’s Family Wellness Fair, or to register your children for information on where and how to donate toys, clothes, or cash, please contact Tom Copeland at (561) 860-3231.

AROUND WELLINGTON STORIES OF THE MONTH

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.