Our youth will play a large role in solving our climate issues.
West Palm Beach, FL (December 2, 2024) Philanthropy Tank (PT), a non-profit organization committed to empowering young CHANGEmakers, is proud to partner with the City of West Palm Beach on their Youth Climate Action Fund grant program. In an ongoing effort to serve the community, Philanthropy Tank assisted in distributing the grants to the students.
Mayor Keith James recently announced the winners of the Youth Climate Action Fund, a program initiated by Bloomberg Philanthropies at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Studio at COP28. The initiative empowers local youth (ages 15-24) to create innovative climate solutions. The City of West Palm Beach worked cooperatively with both the Community Foundation and Philanthropy Tank to deliver funds to youth-led initiatives. Winning projects receive microgrants ($1,000-$5,000) and mentorship from local experts. Learn more at www.wpb.org/green.
“We are proud to partner with the City of West Palm Beach to identify and foster youth leaders,” said Amy Brand, Philanthropy Tank CEO. “Our youth are going to play a large role in solving our climate issues.”
About Philanthropy Tank:
Founded in 2015, the nonprofit Philanthropy Tank challenges, empowers, and equips student “CHANGEmakers” to develop and execute sustainable initiatives and solutions to solve problems in their communities. Philanthropist Investors fund student initiatives, investing in their own community projects. Through one-to-one mentoring, philanthropist investors fuel students’ desire, helping them execute initiatives while increasing their ability to make meaningful change. For more information visit www.philanthropytank.org.
Riviera Beach, FL – Families across Palm Beach County face significant challenges due to heirs’ property issues, a legal hurdle that often results in clouded titles. These complications can prevent families from accessing vital financial tools such as loans, grants, and property tax exemptions, jeopardizing their ability to preserve generational wealth and maintain community stability.
The training covers critical topics such as estate planning, preparation of wills and trusts, probate issues, and strategies to clear title ownership. The program emphasizes the importance of safeguarding generational wealth and keeping it within families. The first session took place on November 12th, but it’s not too late to join the initiative.
“Our goal is to provide residents with the tools they need to protect their most valuable investment—their homes,” said Lynda Charles, Vice-President of Housing for Community Partners of South Florida. “This is life planning, and everyone who owns a house should attend to learn how to preserve their assets.”
The program pairs legal expertise with community outreach. Community Partners of South Florida will conduct outreach and education to raise awareness about heirs’ property issues and work directly with 10 Palm Beach County residents in need of legal assistance while Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County attorneys Tequisha Miles and Blake Hanley will deliver comprehensive legal assistance for estate planning, probate, and clearing titles. Hanley also leads the training sessions, equipping participants with practical knowledge to address their property challenges.
“With the recent surge in property values and demand for land in Palm Beach County, heirs’ property work is more important than ever,” said Hanley. “Many families, some who have lived in their homes for generations, can’t access crucial benefits like homestead property tax exemptions without clear title ownership. Our mission is about justice, protecting generational wealth, and strengthening communities.”
The issue disproportionately affects African-American households, particularly in low-income communities across the southeastern United States, according to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
Residents who qualify are encouraged to participate in this transformative program.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Tera Rose at 561-841-3500 or [email protected].
About Community Partners of South Florida
Serving Palm Beach County’s children and families for almost four decades, Community Partners of South Florida is the local trusted leader in comprehensive community development – investing in people, places, and systems so neighborhoods and residents thrive.
Their trifold approach to care though the avenues of housing services, community services and mental health services is an unreplicated model in Palm Beach County and they truly are changing the odds for families facing financial, social and emotional adversity.
About Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., founded in 1949, is a private nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to providing free, high- quality legal services to the most vulnerable community members.
The Kids at Place of Hope Share a Unique Bond with the Puppies at Big Dog Ranch Rescue
LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, Fla., — A group of foster children from Place of Hope, with campuses across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, brought holiday cheer to the dogs at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves. The kids arrived with toys and treats, eager to spread joy to their four-legged friends.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue staff and volunteers were on hand to teach the children about caring for and interacting with dogs, creating an educational and heartwarming experience. The kids also gave the puppies festive Christmas baths, followed by plenty of cuddling and playtime.
Through this visit, the Place of Hope children learned a valuable lesson in giving back, showing kindness to animals with whom they share a unique bond. It was a touching reminder that no one, human or animal, should be forgotten during the holidays.
The day was filled with love, laughter, and compassion, leaving everyone with a sense of joy and connection.
SUPPORT LITTLE SMILES’ 15th ANNUAL TOY DRIVE TO BRING CHEER TO LOCAL KIDS IN NEED
Shopfrom Little Smiles’ Amazon Wish List, donate online or by text, or drop off a new, unwrapped gift
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Palm Beach Gardens, FLA. – (December 5, 2024) – Little Smiles of Florida invites the community to help brighten the holidays for local children in need through its 15th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Through December 25, 2024, the drive collects new, unwrapped gifts for children from newborn to 18. These donations are distributed through collection centers for families to pick up or delivered directly to Little Smiles’ 39 pediatric partners, including hospitals, medical daycare centers, hospices, shelters, foster homes, and medical support facilities.
“The need is greater than ever this year, and we rely on our community’s generosity to ensure no child goes without a smile this holiday season. Every toy, every donation, and every act of kindness makes a lasting difference,” said Brittany Perdigon, Executive Director of Little Smiles Florida.
Last year, the toy drive made a tremendous impact, doubling its reach and collecting over 20,000 toys and gifts, bringing smiles to more than 12,000 children across Southeast Florida. The community support is vital in helping kids be kids during difficult times. Visit littlesmilesfl.org to make a donation, shop the Amazon Wish List, or shop for a gift and drop it off at a participating business or the Little Smiles North Pole at Harbourside Place, 106 Front St, Jupiter, FL 33477. Donations can also be made by texting LITTLESMILES to 44321.
Local businesses are encouraged to participate by becoming sponsors or drop-off locations.
Donations fund the holiday toy drive and year-round programming at one of the many facilities that partner with Little Smiles. Donations fund movie nights and arts and crafts events and fulfill specific requests like birthday celebrations, ensuring children and their caregivers experience moments of joy and normalcy during challenging times.
For more information about Little Smiles Florida and the toy drive, including details on drop-off locations, or to donate, visit littlesmilesfl.org.
About Little Smiles Florida:
Little Smiles is a not-for-profit organization operating in Palm Beach County and the greater Southeast Florida region. The charity was founded in 1999 by local businessman Paul L. Donohue, who saw a need and inspired the community to bring comfort and joy to children and their caregivers at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. Little Smiles now partners with thirty-nine pediatric facilities from St. Lucie to Miami that include hospitals, medical day care centers, hospices, shelters, foster care homes, and medical support facilities. Their mission is to help kids during difficult times. They provide smiles to children and their support staff with fun events, including movie night, arts and crafts, and snack breaks. They fulfill individual needs and requests, such as providing a toy to help distract a child after surgery, pajamas to stay extra comfy during their time at the facility, or even a cake and a present to celebrate a birthday during their time at one of the facilities.
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Calendar Listing:
Through December 25, 2024, Little Smiles’ 15th Annual Holiday Toy Drive collects gifts for children from newborn to 18. Donations will be distributed to families in need and Little Smiles’ 39 pediatric partners. Visit littlesmilesfl.org to make a donation, shop the Amazon Wish List, or shop for a gift and drop it off at a participating business or the Little Smiles North Pole at Harbourside Place, 106 Front St, Jupiter, FL 33477. Donations can also be made by texting LITTLESMILES to 44321. Local businesses are encouraged to participate by becoming sponsors or drop-off locations.
From the time I was a child, I remember my parents taking my brother and me for a drive around town to see holiday lights. Now that I live in New York City, lights are everywhere, spread across all five boroughs, celebrating the holidays in big city fashion. But a recent trip back to my original hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee, reminded me of simpler days.
On a Mission to Save Christmas
Despite its continued growth, Chattanooga is still a relatively small city nestled in the valley beside Lookout Mountain. Of course, there are many new things that weren’t around when I last lived there in the early 1970s. For example, Time to Escape – an escape room in downtown Chattanooga where participants are locked in a room and follow clues to solve a mystery. If successful, they escape the room before time runs out. Themed adventures vary year-round, but since it was the holiday season, we chose the Saving Christmas adventure.
I’ll be honest: I’m not good at solving mysteries. So, as the door locked behind us in a room resembling a cozy cabin decorated for Christmas, I immediately wanted to ring the buzzer and request a few hints to get us started. But, my team members – which consisted of my daughter, her husband and my 14-year-old grandson – were determined to solve the mystery of an evil disgruntled elf who had hidden Santa’s bag of toys and interrupted his flight pattern. It was up to us to save Christmas. Without giving away any secrets, we ultimately solved the mystery and saved the holiday with just seven minutes to spare. You’re welcome.
A Festive Forest and a Winter Wonderland
During the holiday season, downtown Chattanooga’s Miller Park transforms into a festive forest. Sponsored by the Better Business Bureau in partnership with local businesses, the Festive Forest boasts 78 creatively decorated trees.
While all the trees added twinkling lights to the season, each had a unique decorative touch. My favorites included Cluster Funk, where a pink cowgirl hat served as a tree topper and an ornament wished “Goodwill to Y’all!” Another favorite represented a long-time Chattanooga attraction, Ruby Falls. Other trees were sweetly decorated by schoolchildren. And, of course, there had to be a Grinch-themed tree—it’s a holiday must! With Lookout Mountain overlooking the city, a fan favorite was Camp Lookout’s campfire-themed tree surrounded by firewood logs and decorated with fiery red and orange ribbons, fire symbols, and giant marshmallows on sticks.
Across from Miller Park, the Electric Power Board (EPB) building lights up the season with joyful window decorations depicting this year’s theme of “Chattanooga Polar Palooza.” An 80-plus-year tradition, this year, the display presents a cleverly blended blizzard of a winter wonderland and the magic of the carnival.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Shines Bright
Perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, the Chattanooga Choo Choo brings a new experience to the holiday celebration this year with the Choo Choo Holiday Walk-Thru Light Show NoogaLights. While the Chattanooga Choo Choo remains a city tradition, this Christmas-themed walkable light show features a not-so-traditional light show with an hour’s worth of synchronized music to gardens of themed lighting.
Christmas Cheer for a Cause
Meanwhile, back in the Chattanooga neighborhood where my parents live and my grandmother before them, East Ridge displays one of the most spectacular residential holiday light displays I’ve ever seen. Tucked away on Jason Drive in the center of a hilly community, the holiday spirit shines brightly.
This drive-through privately owned attraction brings not only the neighborhood together but also others seeking the spirit of the season. The attraction is free, but donations are welcome, and all funds collected go to local charities. Now, that’s the true holiday spirit!
Wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful holiday season!
L to R: Marty Ross and Harry Klaff, throwing “first ball” prior to the first game on Opening Day of stickball.
The 2024-25 stickball season is now underway in Wellington. Tuesday, December 3, was officially Opening Day for the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League which began its 23rd season of competition. The stickball games – always played on Tuesday afternoons – are held on the grounds of Village Park, located off Pierson Road, in Wellington.
This year’s stickball season has five teams competing throughout the season. They are the Brooklyn Bums, Atlantic Whalers, New York Egg Creams, Hoboken Zephyrs, and the Bronx Clippers.
On Opening Day, Brooklyn played Atlantic in the first game while the Clippers faced off against Hoboken in the ‘nightcap.’ In the first game, Brooklyn doubled-up Atlantic, 8-4 while the Hoboken Zephyrs and the Bronx Clippers played to a rare 1-1 tie. The NY Egg Creams had a bye.
In honor of past Opening Day traditions, a ceremonial ‘first pitch’ was each thrown by Marty Ross and Harry Klaff prior to the first game while Rob Martin, the general manager of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club, tossed the ‘first pitch’ in the second game.
In this version of stickball in Wellington, there is only pitching, hitting, and fielding.
According to league director Arthur Spector, there is no base running involved, but just like in regular baseball, the games last nine innings and the team with the most runs wins.
“If there’s a tie after nine innings, a two-inning extra-inning session is held,” said Spector. “If the tie is not broken, the game remains a tie.”
Prior to the actual competitive games on Opening Day, all those in attendance gathered and removed their hats in order to sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” which is a weekly tradition.
The last regular season game for the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League will be played on March 18. The post-season playoffs begin on March 25. The league championship game is scheduled for April 1. The annual all-star game will be contested on April 8. Ross and Klaff are the only two players who have played in the league since its inception in 2002.
Arty Peskin of the Brooklyn BumsBrooklyn Bums captain Stan Baum and Atlantic Whalers captain Ross Ginsberg
Palm Beach Gardens, FL – The Securing Our Future Initiativeis proud to announce the 2nd Securing Our Future Economic Mobility Summit, scheduled to take place on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, 4000 RCA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.
Running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, the summit will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that empower low-income families to overcome economic barriers.
This year’s summit will feature eight dynamic breakout sessions focused on equipping community-based organizations and local networks to implement effective frameworks for upward mobility across Palm Beach County. These sessions will provide attendees with a collaborative environment to address critical topics including re-entry challenges, food security, health equity, childcare, transportation, and affordable housing, all integral to advancing economic mobility in the region.
“We are thrilled to partner with Securing Our Future for a second year,” said Kelly Powell, CEO of Community Partners of South Florida, opening reception sponsor and Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI) partner. “This summit underscores our mission to build pathways for families to break the cycle of poverty and create economic stability that lasts for generations.”
Securing Our Future is a collaborative initiative in partnership with Community Partners of South Florida, Community Action Program, Pathways to Prosperity, Birth 22 United for Brighter Futures and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Health & Human Services (CAC/HHS). The initiative is focused on developing integrated systems of support to drive economic mobility for families in Palm Beach County who are working to overcome the challenges of poverty.
The 2024 Summit is aligned with Securing Our Future’s mission to help families with children ages 0-18 who are living below 200% of the federal poverty level, particularly focusing on those at or below 100% of the FPL who are able to work. This comprehensive approach recognizes the unique challenges that low-income families face when it comes to securing work or education, and the summit will spotlight strategies to address these barriers, from childcare to access to education and health services.
Breakout Sessions Topics Include:
Navigating the Challenges of Re-Entry to Promote Economic Mobility
Harnessing the Power of Food Systems for Economic Mobility
Paving the Way to Economic Independence
Advancing Health Equity Through Economic Mobility
Exploring Childcare Solutions to Advance Economic Mobility
Advancing Transportation for Economic Mobility
Enhancing Education for Employment in the Digital Age
A Collective Effort to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
Building Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health and Human Services: Addressing Current Challenges and Exploring Future Opportunities
The summit will conclude with closing remarks by Dr. James Green, Director of the Palm Beach County Community Services Department.
The Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County and the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau presented the annual Farm City Luncheon at the South Florida Fairgrounds, on November 20 from 11:15 to 1 pm. The theme was Preserving our Farms; Growing for the Future. The presenting sponsor was Baptist Health. For more information about the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce check out their website at https://cpbchamber.com/
Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League Sponsors. Photo by Harry Klaff.The first Annual Wellington Ruck March and Food Drive, which took place at Village Park on Nov. 10th. Photo by Krista Martinelli.The Farm City Luncheon at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Photo by Carol Porter.The November 2024 AroundWellington Networking Mixer. This networking group meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 5:30pm at Village Music in Wellington.
