Nonprofits First proudly announces the Rising Leaders Class of 2022. Members of the class include: La Trell Banks-Summersett, Sickle Cell Foundation, Kevin Brown, The Lord’s Place, Hope Cabrera, Student Aces, Samantha Cahn, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Cory Campbell, Community Partners, Jennie Carter, Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Angelica Cervantes, Palm Beach County Medical Society, Lexy DePhillips, The Lord’s Place, Jessica Dockus, Community Partners, Ingrid Evans, Connect 2 Greatness, Glenn Fleischer, Fuller Center, Fallon Gechter, JARC FL, Yeili Gonzalez, Children’s Home Society, Emma Green, Junior Achievement of PB/Treasure Coast, Gabe Herrera, 211 Palm Beach / Treasure Coast, Joeniseley Mathurin, Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Julie Meyer, Prime Time Palm Beach County, Abnet Nerelus, Community Partners, Shavon Rahming, Vita Nova, Cassy Romelus, Digital Vibez, Japricia Thicklin, Urban League of Palm Beach County, Wileme Timot, Digital Vibez, Charles Vercillo, Florida Rural Legal Services, Luisa Vincent, Prime Time Palm Beach County, and Gwen Williams, Prime Time Palm Beach County.
Leading a cause and solving complex issues takes determination, discipline, and know-how. Nonprofits First, Palm Beach County’s expert resource for nonprofit performance, created the Rising Leaders program in 2005 to launch aspiring leaders toward their highest level of impact and success. Rising Leaders is the only local training of its kind, transforming emerging talent into the sector’s next generation of leaders. The comprehensive six-month experience focuses on skills needed by those who are relatively new to leading teams or managing groups of individuals. Rising Leaders participants learn effective strategies to handle significant leadership and organizational challenges. The Rising Leaders experience fosters interaction, discovery, dialogue, and servant leadership as participants increase skills to lead in the nonprofit field.
CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA SUPPORTERS TO BE TREATED TO A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Annual Ball to Take Place on February 26, 2022, at The Breakers Palm Beach
(Palm Beach, Fla.) – Cleveland Clinic Florida guests will have 100 reasons to celebrate on February 26, 2022, when the “Cleveland Clinic Florida Ball: A Centennial Celebration” takes place at The Breakers Palm Beach. Chairing the annual black-tie benefit are longtime Cleveland Clinic supporters Kathryn and Leo Vecellio and Annie and Michael Falk. The Grand Honorary Chairmen are Nancy and Bill Rollnick. The Honorary Chairs include Milly and Patrick Park and Beth and Sean Lang.
Chairs Kathryn Vecellio and Annie Falk – photo by CAPEHART.
The celebration of Cleveland Clinic’s 100th Anniversary will begin with cocktails during the elegant welcome reception, followed by a lavish dinner with dancing and entertainment from The Sultans.
“I have been a patient of Cleveland Clinic for decades and Leo and I continue to support them for their medical breakthroughs and leading innovation in healthcare,” said Kathryn Vecellio. “We are proud to once again chair the Cleveland Clinic Florida Ball that will raise funds for the expansion of health services in the Palm Beaches and throughout South Florida.”
Tickets to “Cleveland Clinic Florida Ball: A Centennial Celebration” are $1,250 a person. For more information, please contact the Philanthropy Department at 954.659.6720 or visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org/palmbeachball.
Cleveland Clinic Florida is a nonprofit, multi-specialty healthcare provider that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. The Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, with five hospitals and numerous outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. Cleveland Clinic Florida ranked #1 in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area and is a top hospital in Florida, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “2021-22 Best Hospitals” rankings. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2021 CONTACT: Roxanne Jacobs, 561-753-2226
“Grandma’s Angels” do it again!
On Tuesday November 30, 156 of Grandma’s Place long-time supporters and new friends gathered at The Sailfish Club in Palm Beach to attend the 6th Annual “Grandma’s Angels” Holiday Luncheon. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception as they actively bid on over 200 fabulous silent auction items.
Jodie Schmitz and Manda Galin. Photo: Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART
The luncheon was chaired by Manda Galin and Jodie Schmitz; Herme de Wyman Miro served as International Honorary Chair. The event was again held in Memory of Lou Ann Wilson-Swan, co-founder of the luncheon. Committee Members included Missy Agnello, Diana Berman, Kristi Bomar, Kelly Brenner, Susy Burrowes, Leslie Byck, Patty Cooke, Margaret Donnelley, Ali Govier, Patti Hadden, Barbara Hollender, Eleanor Jones, Anita Mitchell, Mary Lewis Moews, Toni O’Brien, Joan O’Connell, Kat Ogg, Amy Quattlebaum, Dina Rubio, Eve Sauer, Donna Scully, Valerie Seifert, Lisa Shapiro, and George Swan, Jr.
The dining room looked beautiful with navy blue overlays over white tablecloths with stunning white orchids in a silver pot donated by Armend Berisha & Everett Simon. Finishing off the effect, were cookies with the Angel Logo on them donated by Astonishing Creations as table favors. Liz Quirantes, the Channel 12 News Anchor served as the celebrity emcee and welcomed guests. She thanked the Sponsors including: Gold Sponsors Joe & Emilia Fanjul, Hadden Landscaping, International Society of Palm Beach and Heidi Schaeffer MD, Valet Sponsor – Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano & Social Club, Program Sponsor – Toshiba Business Systems Guests dined on filet mignon as Skip & Mary Liguori talked about the process of adopting Lucas from Grandma’s Place. Then the fun really began with a live auction by Neil Saffer and his wife Trish, from Saffer & Company.
Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART
Proceeds of the luncheon support Grandmas Place, an emergency foster shelter for children, from birth to the age of 12, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and a Family Support Program, which provides services to parents and caregivers of children with special needs including mentoring, training and respite care. For more information or to be placed on the invitation list for next year, please call Roxanne Jacobs, Executive Director, at 561-753-2226 or e-mail roxanne@grandmasplacepb.org or visit the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/GrandmasPlacePB
Over the last five years, the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County, an extension of the outreach programs of The Palm Beach Pops, has given out nearly $275,000 in education scholarships and musical instruments to dozens of talented young students.
WHO:
For the third time, two of the young recipients are unhoused siblings—Theobestus Alfons (10) and Asyncritus Alfons (11), students at U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School and BAK Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. This year, the two talented young pianists received more than a scholarship to cover music lessons, they also received a brand new keyboard with bench and music stand.
The gifted brother and sister are clients of The Lord’s Place, a nonprofit, non-sectarian, social impact organization that is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing innovative, compassionate and effective services.
“I am very proud that so far we have awarded more than 150 scholarships for music lessons, orchestra dues, camps, musical instruments, and more, with a total value of nearly $275,000, all going to talented young people many of which probably couldn’t have continued their personal music education without this assistance,” says Jon Lappin, founder, president and executive director of the Legacy Foundation. “Previous scholarship recipients have used their funding money to continue to grow their musical abilities and excel on their chosen instrument through graduation.”
About The Palm Beach Pops and the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County:
Founded in 1991 by the late Music Director and Conductor Bob Lappin, The Palm Beach Pops quickly distinguished itself as a world-class pops orchestra, dedicated to preserving the American Songbook. Additionally, The Palm Beach Pops had a long history of serving the children in its community by presenting quality music education programs. Lappin’s cultural impact lives on through the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County, founded and led by his son Jon Lappin. For more information on the foundation, please visit www.pbclegacy.org or email info@pbclegacy.org.
Note: The Legacy Foundation gratefully accepts donations of funds, musical instruments, and sponsored/named scholarships, and it seeks volunteers.
Hadassah FL Atlantic offers 3 virtual Zionist Salons – guided conversations based on the writing of Professor Gil Troy based on his book “The Zionist Ideas.”
Salons expertly led by Barbara Alper, Hadassah FL Atlantic Zionist Chair on Tuesdays at 10:00am – January 18, February 15 and March 15, 2022. Questions – call Hadassah FL Atlantic office at 561-498-1012 or email to florida@hadassah.org.
Do You Hear What I Hear? It’s Musicthon at The Gardens Mall
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (December 14, 2021) –It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas at The Gardens Mall. The 32nd Annual Musicthon takes over the Nordstrom Court this Saturday, December 18. The holiday musical extravaganza features60 students from the Palm Beach County School District’s Music Programs performing favorites from everyone’s holiday playlist.
When: Saturday, December 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Nordstrom Court at The Gardens Mall
Photo Courtesy of the Gardens Mall.
More: Students from first through 12th grade will share their vocal and musical talents during the daylong event. The students donate their time and collect pledges to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Tune in forholiday funat The Gardens Mall.
About The Gardens Mall
The Gardens Mall is located one mile east of I-95 on PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The luxurious, 1.4-million-square-foot, super-regional shopping center features more than 150 world-class retail specialty shops and restaurants. It is anchored by Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s. The Gardens Mall is owned and managed by The Forbes Company. For more information about The Gardens Mall, call (561) 775-7750 or visit the mall online at thegardensmall.com.
QUANTUM FOUNDATIONINVEST $1 MILLION IN LOCAL GRASSROOTS AS PARTOF ITS QUANTUM INTHE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Grant recipients are more financially equipped to create a healthier Palm Beach County
WEST PALM BEACH -Through its 11th annual Quantum in the Community (QIC) initiative, Quantum Foundation is funding 120 grassroots organizations in Palm Beach County. To date, QIC has awarded a total of $8.5 million to local organizations. This month, the $1 million in unrestricted funding from Palm Beach County’s largest health funder is targeted to go toward essentials such as meals, hygiene products, rent/utility assistance, clothing, transportation, and more.
This year’s QIC committee is co-chaired by board members Ethel Isaacs Williams and Board Chair, Dr. Gerald O’Connor. Two of the 2021 QIC recipients, Eat Better Live Better (EBLB) and Chasin A Dream Foundation, share how they are improving health in all corners of the community.
At EBLB, founder Debra Tendrich uses nutritional knowledge to support the clinical, psychological, and behavioral needs of local children and teens through evidence-based programming. The Delray Beach nonprofit is teaching students and parents alike the invaluable lesson of the wealth that comes with health. Additionally in 2020, the nutrition-focused nonprofit delivered and distributed approximately 500,000 lbs. of healthy groceries, produce, and nutrition information to families experiencing hardships.
“Many families have suffered due to COVID-19, and the stories we hear are heart-breaking,” said Tendrich. “‘I am hungry,’ is the last thing a parent wants to hear after they are let go from their job.”
Then further north in Palm Beach County is Chasin A Dream Foundation led by founder Lori Griffith. Today, the nonprofit looks at families and their entire scope of needs as their children fight cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart diseases, and other life-threatening illnesses. The organization supports families from providing customized hospital backpacks with creature comforts to its Critical Needs Program covering financial costs and assistance with medical bills.
“I based Chasin’ A Dream Foundation on the premise of ‘locals helping locals’ and truly believe that people are more apt to get involved if they know the children that need help,” said Lori Griffith, CAD Founder. “I want supporters to know our warriors and to celebrate their victories.”
However, both grassroots organizations have faced financial hardships due to the domino effect brought on by COVID-19. To that end, Quantum Foundation is stepping up to provide financial support and is encouraging individuals to make their contributions.
“COVID-19 severely impacted so many nearby grassroots organizations,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “More than ever, Quantum in the Community funding is helping nonprofits navigate even greater needs exposed by the pandemic.”
Groups funded by Quantum Foundation must meet strict grant criteria and must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All grants must benefit the people of Palm Beach County.
Discover more on what Quantum Foundation is doing in the community! For more information, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit quantumfnd.org or call 561-832-7497.
Parade brought community together with fireworks, holiday themed boats and toys benefiting Little Smiles and Toys for Tots
North Palm Beach, FLA. – (December 9, 2021) – On Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) illuminated the waterways with the 27th Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade from North Palm Beach to Jupiter. The free family-friendly event was led by a traveling fireworks display and featured 50 holiday-themed boats. Small boats, sailboats, and mega yachts, decked out with millions of twinkling holiday lights, delighted the community as they navigated up the Intracoastal Waterway to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Over 5,000 toys were collected on Saturday night and $10,000 in cash donations will be used to purchase even more toys for Little Smiles and Toys for Tots charities supporting our local community.
This year’s theme “Merry & Bright” featured a gingerbread house, dinosaurs, Elvis, rock ‘n roll, and Santa Claus as thousands of viewers were dazzled. Town officials and local dignitaries judged this friendly competition with $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. The Awards Ceremony was held at Farmer’s Table in North Palm Beach on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. The 2021 Best of Parade and Fan Favorite, voted on by the public through Facebook, was “Nailed It” owned by Aaron and Diane Liscomb of North Palm Beach. The brightly lit vessel was decorated as a gingerbread house topped with two red and white peppermints. The Liscomb’s generously donated their cash prize of $1,500 to Little Smiles and Toys for Toys.
“We are thrilled by the amazing show of boats this year,” said Executive Director Alyssa Freeman. “You can tell that the boat owners put a lot of time and effort into decorating, and all to bring joy to the community and be a part of giving back to two incredible charities. Many of the boats in the parade this year entered for the first time, and so of course we hope they will be back again and again!”
2021 Boat Parade Winners: Best of Parade Nailed It (Boat # 21) Fan Favorite Nailed It (Boat # 21)
Under 25’ 1st Place: Teazer Too (Boat #34) 2nd Place: 23 ft Sea Hunt (Boat #18) 3rd Place: Ice Ice Baby (Boat #27)
25’-35’ 1st Place: Nookie Time (Boat #19) 2nd Place: Eagles Nest (Boat #33) 3rd Place: Miss B Havin (Boat #15)
Bank of America Names Student ACES and Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County 2021 Neighborhood Builders®
Program Provides $200,000 in Flexible Funding to Each Organization and Leadership Development Training to Advance Economic Mobility in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County – Programs that help address the local region’s issues around equal access to our judicial system and workforce development will be able to scale, helping even more people through a multi-year grant from Bank of America. The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and Student ACES (ACE = athletics, community and education) have been named 2021 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardees for their work in the Palm Beach County community addressing these issues.
As a Neighborhood Builder, each organization receives a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, joins a network of peer organizations across the U.S. and gets the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. The program continues to be the nation’s largest investment in nonprofit leadership development.
Research continues to show that a child’s zip code is a strong indicator of their future economic outcome. To overcome this obstacle and advance economic mobility, providing essential resources is critical. The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County is one of the largest legal aid organizations in the State of Florida and their Education Advocacy Project (EAP) seeks to fuel economic and social progress by ensuring access to equitable educational opportunities. The grant will further this mission through the creation of “Education Clinics” and the expansion of program services to ensure that vulnerable, at-risk K-12 students throughout Palm Beach County receive access to the educational services and supports they need to reach the highest level of academic achievement possible. Student ACES is also inspiring our next generation of leaders, offering character education, workforce development and leadership programming in South Florida. Through these organizations, youth in the local community receive opportunities that would otherwise not be available due to economic inequalities. This grant will enable Student ACES to improve their leadership potential and help break the cycle of generational poverty by continuously growing their program offerings and further impacting a greater number of students in the community.
“As communities continue to recover and navigate a changing landscape, nonprofits are still experiencing significant demands and are in need of resources to help meet critical local needs like inspiring the next generation of leaders and ensuring underserved individuals have access to legal aid,” said Fabiola Brumley president, Bank of America Palm Beach County. “The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and Student ACES are helping bridge important gaps for individuals and families to help them chart a path toward economic opportunity and stability. Programs like Neighborhood Builders help these organizations grow sustainably and strategically for greater positive impact in the community.”
“This grant will change so many lives. Over the next two years, with support from Bank of America, we will be able to provide Workforce Development programming to 300 students, thus setting them up for success in their future career paths,” said Krissy Webb, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Student Aces. “The network and leadership development support provided by Bank of America is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can strengthen and grow the Student ACES team creating a greater impact for the high school student-athletes we serve.”
“The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s Education Advocacy Project (EAP) is honored to be a 2021 recipient of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders award for an innovative project benefitting the community,” said Robert Bertisch, Executive Director at Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. “The project will be comprised of multi-site special education clinics for families of students with disabilities with current Individual Education Plans. Legal Aid looks forward to working with community partners and offering these clinics to under-resourced families in Palm Beach County. “
Since 2004, Bank of America has invested over $280 million in 50 communities through Neighborhood Builders, partnering with more than 1,400 nonprofits and helping more than 2,800 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. Here in Palm Beach County, 25 nonprofits have been selected as a Neighborhood Builder, with the bank investing $5.4 million into these local organizations through the program since 2005.
The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardees. Neighborhood Builders is just one example of how Bank of America deploys capital in communities, builds cross-sector partnerships, and promotes socioeconomic progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.
Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
Wellington Earns American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index Recognition
The American Heart Association recently recognized Wellington for its implementation of quality workplace health programs and culture of health best practices.
Wellington achieved bronze-level recognition in the American Heart Association’s 2021 Workplace Health Achievement Index for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace. The Village is one of more than 450 organizations nationwide that completed the Index assessment this year, evaluating the time period of July 31, 2020, to June 30, 2021.Of the organizations that completed the Index assessment, nearly all earned gold (43%), silver (31%), or bronze (19%) status.
A unique feature of the Index is that it calculates an average heart health score based on American Heart Association’s seven risk factors for cardiovascular health: smoking status, physical activity, weight, diet, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Companies receive benchmarking reports which allow them to identify potential areas of employee health improvement.
The framework of the Workplace Health Achievement Index was created to help organizations improve the health of their workforce from one year to the next.
This recognition affirms that Wellington is a great place to live, play, and work.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
