WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (September 1, 2017) – As the sun went down – and the City of West Palm Beach celebrated the close of its always popular Summer in Paradise activities – the Waterfront was full of cheers from charity supporters who showed up to bid on the temporary art installation, Aesop’s Tables. The summer-long installation made its debut on June 1 and was sent off with much fanfare, as each table was auctioned off in support of a pre-assigned charity. In total, the City raised $11,550 for 25 local nonprofits, including Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Little Smiles and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, among others. As part of a crowd funding campaign, Aaron Wormus, famed local social media influencer and voice behind “A Guy on Clematis,” purchased six large tables and one small table to be kept throughout the City.
A direct tie to Mayor Jeri Muoio’s pledge declaring West Palm Beach as a City of Kindness, the storybook setting provided an opportunity for all to connect, explore local art, share their own stories and enjoy family-friendly activities on the West Palm Beach waterfront. Aesop’s Tables was presented by the City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places and celebrated the talents of 19 local artists. The tables featured depictions of “The Jay and the Peacock,” “Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Lion and the Mouse,” and more. According to an online poll, Frank Navarrete’s depiction of “The Dog and The Shadow,” created on behalf of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, was the most favorite of waterfront guests.
“We are so pleased with the success of our Summer in Paradise theme this year,” said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation. “The community came together in a variety of ways to make Aesop’s Tables a remarkable success, which waterfront visitors enjoyed all summer long.”
Wormus started a GoFundMe weeks in advance of the auction to purchase tables to stay in West Palm Beach. He raised nearly $2,500, which was used to purchase six large tables and one small kids table. The child-size tables were donated for the auction by Rhythm & Hues in support of Hurricane Harvey relief.
Additional benefitting nonprofits included: Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., American Cancer Society-Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Autism Speaks, Children Seen and Heard, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Dress for Success Palm Beaches, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid of Palm Beach County, Inc., Life’s Changes Palm Beach County, Inc., Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, Nonprofits First, Pathfinders Scholarship Fund, Quantum House, Resource Depot, Seagull Services, Sister Cities of Delray Beach, Inc., Susan G Komen South Florida, The Arc of Palm Beach County, The Take Heed Theater Company, Inc., United Way of Palm Beach County and Urban Youth Impact.
For more information about the City of West Palm Beach’s free community events, please visit www.wpb.org/events or call (561) 822-1515. For news and updates, follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.
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SUMMER IN PARADISE Sponsors included: City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places Program, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Daily News, Coca-Cola, West Palm Beach Marriott, WPBF News 25, 97.9 WRMF, 103.1 WIRK, SUNNY 107.9, X 102.3, 850 AM, 640AM, Beatz, Discover the Palm Beaches, Visit Palm Beach, Downtown Development Authority, Northwood Village, the Historic Northwest, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the Hilton West Palm Beach, Best Western Palm Beach Lakes, All My Sons Moving and Storage, Jet Ride and the Cultural Council of the Palm Beaches. For updates and promotions, like https://www.facebook.com/CityofWPB
More About City of West Palm Beach Summer In Paradise
SUMMER IN PARADISE is a partnership between The City of West Palm Beach, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Visit Palm Beach, Northwood Village, Historic Northwest Neighborhood, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and Discover the Palm Beaches showcasing West Palm Beach as an international destination full of events, activities, art, entertainment and fun. Summer in Paradise collectively includes 90 days of nonstop events and happenings in the Northwest Neighborhood, Northwood Village and Downtown West Palm Beach starting June 1, 2017 through the end of August.
West Palm Beach GreenMarket Continues Growth and Branches Out
2017 – 2018 season to feature more than 90 vendors and guests can book historic tours starting “By the Banyan” more regularly
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (September 5, 2017) – For more than 20 years the West Palm Beach GreenMarket has been the premier Saturday spot to gather fresh food and local goods, and with more than 90 vendors signed up, the 2017 – 2018 season is just as promising. The 23rd season returns to the Waterfront on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The area’s first farmer’s market, the GreenMarket continues to grow – and branch out – with the addition of 15 new vendors and regular historical walking tours, launching “By the Banyan” at the corner of Lantana Ave. and North Clematis St.
“We are so thrilled with the continued organic growth of the GreenMarket, with this season marking our largest selection of vendors yet,” said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation. “We have many popular vendors returning, including Cider Doughnuts, Mom’s Pops, and Joe’s Herbs and Ornamentals, in addition to new vendors Poke Smash, Korean Kitchen, and Gracie’s Greens, who all received high approval during the competitive selection process. As we near 25 years of offering our community a variety of fresh and local goods, we are pleased with the continued growth and additional layers of activity the GreenMarket provides.”
Local vendors offer a variety of products, including fresh produce, exotic plants and flowers, herbs and spices, baked goods, gourmet and specialty foods, coffee and teas, and much more. In addition, the GreenMarket also features live music, unlimited mimosas for $10, free activities for kids, plus plentiful green space and seating for a morning of fun and relaxation.
Due to popular demand last season, the historical walking tours are back with regularity. The tours will begin “By the Banyan” at 10 a.m., last approximately an hour-and-a-half, and end at the Johnson History Museum. They will be amplified this year, to accommodate for larger groups, and led by architect and historian Rick Gonzalez. Tours will take place twice a month, starting on October 7. The cost is $10 per person and require a minimum of 10 reservations. Visitors can learn more and purchase tickets by visiting www.hspbc.org/events/#historytours or calling 561.832.4164 ext. 2. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.
Guests are also encouraged to mark their calendars for special events and activities throughout the season, including a dog costume contest on October 28; Veteran’s Day activities on November 11; holiday decorating contest on December 16 and 23; a health and wellness theme to kick off the New Year on January 13; Strawberry Festival on February 10; and a celebration of all that is green on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.
The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is produced by the City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, Community Events, and will run weekly through Saturday, April 21, 2018, except for Saturday, March 24, 2018, due to the Palm Beach International Boat Show. The GreenMarket is friendly to dogs on short leashes and always free. Parking is free in two of the City’s closest garages, on the corners of Banyan/Olive and Evernia/Olive, during market hours. Those interested in arriving by boat can also take advantage of the City’s free public docks.
The mission of the West Palm Beach GreenMarket is to provide the community with seasonal access to locally grown fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, plants and agricultural products. The market supports the southeast Florida agricultural community and stimulates agricultural development, particularly in Palm Beach County, by providing an outlet for locally grown crops and specialty products.
GreenMarket Opening Day sponsors to date include: Schumacher Automotive, Vital Health Chiropractic, Hilton West Palm Beach, SUNNY 107.9, Palm Beach Medical, WIRK 103.1, Palm Beach Daily News and The Palm Beach Post.
For more information about the West Palm Beach GreenMarket and other Waterfront events, visit wpb.org/events, call 561-822-1515 or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.
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Kevin Enterlein, 51, a 26-year resident of Wellington, lost his battle with colon cancer this past November. During his almost three years of dealing with the disease, he established Beacon of Hope, whose mission is to raise funds and provide support for underprivileged families dealing with cancer. This non-profit, is now run by his wife, Andrea, along with their two grown children Kevin and Melissa. “My husband was a runner”, said Andrea. “That’s why my children and I felt what better way to honor his memory than with something he was so enthusiastic about.”
The Beacon of Hope 5k run/walk in memory of Kevin P. Enterlein will be held on Sunday, November 12th, 2017. This date was chosen by the family, as it will be the year mark of his passing! The event will take place at Tiger Shark Cove Park in Wellington. “These are the same streets where Kevin would run himself.” He loved Wellington.”
Registration begins at 6:30, the race begins at 7:30. Anne Gerwig, our Wellington major will open up the race. DJ Mario will be the entertainment. Along with many local vendors
Chip timed, Finisher medals, Top Finisher medals, largest team medal, kids under 13 FREE, Strollers and dogs welcome, T-shirts goodie bags given to all registered participants.
All proceeds from Beacon of Hope’s 5k will benefit the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, Inc. a Palm Beach County, not-for-profit organization which eases the burden of qualified local cancer patients by paying their non-medical bills and providing information resources.
To register go to: runsignupbeaconofhope.com
Facebook: Beacon of Hope Wellington
For more information, contact Andrea Enterlein at 561 603 0835.
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 6, 2017) The Kretzer Piano Music Foundation’s popular MUSIC FOR THE MIND concert series will return on Tuesday, September 19, with Roberta Rust & Her Piano Protégés from Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music. The concert will be held at 7 pm, in the Harriet Himmel Theatre at CityPlace in West Palm Beach.
Roberta Rust, Professor-Piano at Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music, has performed to critical acclaim around the globe in such venues as Carnegie Hall,Washington’s Corcoran Gallery, Sala Ceciia Meireles in Rio de Janeiro, and KNUA Hall in Seoul. Her talented young protégés are Suhao Bai, Chace Israel, Sergei Skobin and XiaoXiao Wang.
Tickets to attend this MUSIC FOR THE MIND concert are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students, and are available by calling CTS Tickets at 866-449-2489. Profit from this concert will enable the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation (KPMF) to expand its music education programs for children in need.
About the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation:
KPMF is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the gift of music to children and seniors. “We believe that music enriches lives,” says founder Kathi Kretzer. “Together, we can provide music education to underprivileged children and performance opportunities for music students.”
In addition to awarding scholarships for music lessons and donating more than 30 pianos to disadvantaged children and local children’s charities, KPMF’s popular programs include:
+ Keyboards for Kids: Group piano lessons for 100+ inner-city school children at the Center for Creative Education in Pleasant City.
+ Kretzer Kids: More than 30gifted young people who perform over 50 concerts every year in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and children’s hospitals.
+ Music for the Mind: Concert series at CityPlace held the third Tuesday of every month for the past 15 years. These concerts have featured more than 11,325 young musicians and raised over $640,000 for music in our schools and community.
+ Keys to the Cities: The headline-grabbing campaign that placed 18 whimsically painted pianos in public spots from Jupiter to Delray Beach for public enjoyment. The pianos were later donated to local children’s charities.
Best in Show: Richard Jacobs of Palm Beach Gardens
2nd Place: Leslie Slatkin of Palm Beach
3rd Place: Dale Kirk of Boynton Beach
Winner of FOTOcamp Exhibition is Stephanie Barnard, 15, from Boca Raton
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 6, 2017) Fatima NeJame, president and chief executive officer of the world-renowned Palm Beach Photographic Centre (PBPC), today announced the prize winners of its current exhibition:
21st Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW
Running Through October 28, 2017
Best In Show went to Richard Jacobs from Palm Beach Gardens for his photograph Hitchcock’s New Mexico. Mr. Jacobs received the First Place cash prize of $950.
The Second Place winner is Leslie Slatkin of Palm Beach for Imagination, and Third Place went to Dale Kirk of Boynton Beach for Flat Iron with a Cup of Jo. They both received free tuition for a FOTOfusion Passport or a Master Workshop.
Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s 21st Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW is a juried exhibition that will showcase the work of its members, both inside the Photo Centre and on its Web site,www.workshop.org.
Innovative and longtime photographer John Reuter, whose exhibition Second Impressions: Polaroid Process to Singapore Infrared closed earlier this month at the Photo Centre, judged this year’s MEMBERS’ SHOW. Reuter is executive director of the 20×24 Studio, home of the legendary 20×24 camera. During his career, he has collaborated with artists such as Chuck Close, Robert Rauschenberg, Mary Ellen Mark and Joyce Tenneson. Reuter has been a dedicated educator, teaching workshops worldwide in instant photography, digital imaging, encaustic painting and video production. He is currently at work on the documentary Camera Ready, the Polaroid 20×24 Project.
Also on display now at the Photo Centre is The FOTOcamp Exhibition, showcasing works by the talented young people, ages 10 to 17, who participated in this summer’s FOTOcamp for Kids. This year’s FOTOcamp winner is Stephanie Barnard (15) of Boca Raton who received an SLR camera. The three Honorable Mention winners from FOTOcamp –McKenna Dickinson (11) of Palm Beach Gardens, Ashley Kirschner (12) of West Palm Beach, and Chloe Zaloom (12) of North Palm Beach – each received a free family membership at the Photo Centre.
About the Palm Beach Photographic Centre:
The Photo Centre is located at the downtown City Center Municipal complex at 415 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday;10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please call 561.253.2600 or visit www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org.
The Palm Beach Photographic Center, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching life through the photographic arts. All donations are greatly appreciated at www.workshop.org/contrib.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is joining with the Young Professionals of the Palm Beaches (YPOP), part of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, to host a Burger & Craft Beer Bash at the resort on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2-6 p.m.
This “friendraiser” is a great way for young professionals in the community to connect with others while sampling mouthwatering burgers and local craft beer at the resort’s oceanfront Breeze Ocean Kitchen!
The event’s festivities include a “best slider” competition between the resort chefs, live entertainment and more. The resort is also offering a special $229/night room rate for anyone who wishes to “take the elevator home” following the fun. Everyone is welcome to attend! Tickets are $55 and include unlimited burger and beer samples from local brewers such as Copperpoint, Due South, and Funky Buddha.
Additionally, Eau Palm Beach will donate a portion of any proceeds from this event to local hurricane relief.
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Is Recruiting Volunteers for Sensational 2017-2018 Season
Volunteer Orientation Will Be September 26 at 10 am
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 14, 2017) In preparation for its star-packed 17/18 Season starting in October, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is seeking interested Volunteers.
“With over 400 volunteers, the Kravis Center knows that the show would not go on without the dedicated corps of people who donate their valuable time to the Center,” says Usher Coordinator Karole Cooney. “While many volunteers have been with us since opening night, we are now seeking applicants to join the ranks and become an integral part of this vibrant theater.”
There are volunteer opportunities as ushers, tour guides, and to work in hospitality, gift shop, data entry, the education department and the administrative offices.
To become an usher, applicants must complete a training course about Kravis Center operations. The course includes information about emergency evacuations, seating, show procedures and customer service skills.
The next New Volunteer Orientation will be held at the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse on Tuesday, September 26, at 10 am.
Anyone interested in becoming a Volunteer is encouraged to download a printable Volunteer Application from the website, fill it out and bring it to the orientation program. If unable to attend the orientation, please mail the application to Beth Foster, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
The application is available online by going to kravis.org/volunteer.
About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
The Kravis Center for is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit the official website at kravis.org.
League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County Invites the Public to Two Thought-Provoking Events This Month
Nancy Abudu
· Why Courts Matter – September 20 in Atlantis
· Constitutional Crises (de jour) – September 27 in WPB
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 15, 2017) Hurricane Irma has passed, and the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County confirms that these two issues-oriented, thought-provoking events are still going on – and the public is invited!
Hot Topics Luncheon
Wednesday, September 20 in Atlantis
WHY COURTS MATTER
‘The Impact Federal Court Decisions Have on Daily Lives’
The main speaker is Nancy Abudu, Director of Legal Operation for ACLU of Florida. This luncheon event will be held from 11 am to 1 pm at the Atlantis Country Club, 190 Atlantis Boulevard in Lake Worth. The cost to attend is only $25. Register online today at http://lwvpbc.org or call Estelle Friedman at 561.968.4123.
Cool Topics Discussion
Wednesday, September 27 in West Palm Beach
CONSTITUTIONAL CRISES (de jour)
Guaranteed to Keep You ‘Up at Night’
· Is Emolument Clause on the Menu?
· Is Treason Only Eaten Rare?
· What’s the Difference Between Collusion and Conspiracy?
· Is the Mythical Shangri-la the Only True ‘Sanctuary City?’
· At What Constitutional Temperature Does One Bake a High Crime or Misdemeanor?
· Is Gerrymandering Still a Delectable Political Dish
· Is There a Recipe for ‘Cooking the Goose’ of the Special Counsel?
The main speaker is Irving Labovitz, J.D., Adjunct Professor Business Law at Florida Atlantic University. This important and informative presentation followed by Q&A will be held at 6 pm at the Palm Beach Post Auditorium, 2751 S. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach (the southwest corner of Dixie and Belvedere Road). While there is no cost to attend this event, interested people are encouraged to register in advance online at www.lwvpbc.org.
About the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County:
The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is a nonpartisan political organization of women and men of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. For more information, please visit www.lwvpbc.org or www.facebook.com/lwvpbc.
Palm Beach Zoo Begins Cleanup and Recovery Following Hurricane Irma
Recovery efforts are underway at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, following Hurricane Irma. While all animals are accounted for, the Zoo sustained massive damage to many of its Ficus and Banyan trees across its 23-acre campus; fortunately, all of the Zoo’s main buildings and the majority of its fences appear to be intact.
“We are fortunate that no people or animals were injured,” explained Dave Ruhl, the Zoo’s facilities director who served as Incident Commander during the storm. “The amount of tree damage inside the Zoo is a bit overwhelming.”
Zoo officials are now working around the clock to assess the scope of damage around their campus and return animals to their homes.
“Some of the trees that suffered damage are at least 50-years-old; there’s a lot of history there,” explained Ruhl.
Zoo officials are strategizing with an arborist to restore several of the large trees that have fallen or toppled over inside the Zoo. They are using a 60-ton crane to remove and restore smaller trees and a 300-ton crane for bigger trees.
“We expect to have crews and cranes on campus for the next few days,” explained Ruhl. “We are asking the public to refrain from walking their dogs and entering the main parking lot until we can repair broken limbs and tree canopies.”
In a sad twist, Hurricane Irma is also being blamed for three animal deaths at the Zoo. They were discovered during morning checks immediately following the storm. Rudder, an older otter with a heart condition, passed away, likely from the stress of the storm. The storm also claimed the life of a tree frog and an Aracari (a bird, similar to a Toucan).
“We knew there was a strong possibility some geriatric animals would not make it through the storm,” explained Jan Steele, the Zoo’s director of wildlife care and conservation. “Losing animals remains one of the most difficult parts of our lives.”
Community support has always been strong for Palm Beach Zoo. Neighbors, members, and friends were reaching out to volunteer even before the storm hit.
“We are going to need volunteers to help with cleanup efforts around the Zoo; right now we are still assessing the situation,” explained Ruhl. “We do know that volunteers will need to be at least 18-years-old.”
The Zoo is asking that those interested in volunteering monitor its Facebook page for volunteer updates.
About the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
As a home to over 550 animals, the Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education and support of conservation initiatives in the field. An unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices elevates our capacity to inspire others. The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.
Dream Sponsors, Inc. and The Essence of Africa, Connecting the Dots between Wellington, FL and Kenya
By Krista Martinelli
L to R: Lynne Mesmer, Lexy Sanguinetti, Sirua Emmanuel and Carla Neumann.
Each day in Kenya, 700 children join over two million others as orphans. This issue sparked something in Carla Neumann, after a 2006 trip to Kenya on a photo safari. “While working for grants for Catholic Charities, I fell in love with the people,” says Neumann who lives in Wellington, Florida. “As a therapist, most of my training is with foster kids.” She started helping out by doing long-distance counseling online. She became attached to the kids. Then she read an article in the Palm Beach Post about Fiston Kahindo, who came from the Congo and spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya. She connected with him; they joined forces and started up Dream Sponsors, Inc. – bringing supplies and support to orphans and vulnerable youth in need in Kenya.
Neumann has made several trips to Kenya, visiting the sponsored orphans and vulnerable youth support by the organization.In about a month, she will visit Kenya again, this time meeting up with a couple of women from a small business, The Essence of Africa, based out of Wellington. “We specialize in bringing Africa to you,” explains Lexy Sanguinetti, Co-Founder, who originates from Kenya herself. Sanguinetti is also a Board Member of Dream Sponsors, Inc. “We visit and partner with very remote tribes and villages,” says Lynne Mesmer, Co-Founder of The Essence of Africa. The company, based in Wellington, produces Africa-themed events and programs in South Florida where they also sell beautiful hand-crafted tribal jewelry and collectibles made by their village partners. For example, they will visit a senior living center, a country club or a school for a day, bringing a taste of Africa to Americans. The proceeds from the goods sold go directly back to the craftspeople in Kenya.
AW: What progress have you seen in Kenya so far?
CN: We’ve seen a change in the kids. We regularly receive their grades and their health information. Both have been improving. Many times a child will get attached to a key volunteer and develop a special bond. The education they are getting, now that some of their basic needs are met, affords them better opportunities in life. Also the kids write beautiful letters of thanks to our USA-based volunteer team and their sponsors. We can see the progress.
LS: Dream Sponsors connects children in Kenya with sponsors here in the U.S. The sponsors give them care packages including letters, photos, socks and underwear. Children without any family feel like they are part of a family now. We provide the support they need.
CN: Sometimes amazing things happen, just by connections and sharing a story. We were working with one of our Dream Sponsors, Inc. sponsored youth named Ryan, an eleven and a half year-old boy living in a slum in Nairobi. He had a congenital heart issue and was given only six months left to live. You could see he was degenerating. He was fainting frequently at school. We shared his story over and over again with everyone we knew. Thanks to a few fortunate connections, Ryan’s hospital costs, echocardiogram and medications and major heart surgery were paid for. Best of all, he went on to live and become one of our brightest youth.
AW: Tell us about your upcoming trip to Kenya in October of 2017.
LM: The Essence of Africa has several volunteers who will be going to Kenya. A former Palm Beach County educator and philanthropist will be creating a book about American wildlife, using real photos. They will be sharing this with the children in Kenya. We have a planned fundraiser to raise money for supplies. There will be lots of donations, including necessities like toothbrushes and underwear.
CN: Since Dream Sponsors, Inc. is a non-profit, we can provide a receipt for donations toward our trip. Over 90% of the proceeds go directly to the people in need. We are also raising funds for a poultry project, where the beneficiary school and sponsored students will be able to have eggs and market the eggs. They will learn marketing basics. We are also working on getting advanced technology to the remotely located school. Right now they don’t have reliable WiFi. We’d like to get Chrome books to the students. We did a pilot experiment, pairing a Masai school with a Delray Beach, FL school. The schools sang their national anthems for each other via Skype. It was so much fun! Even with Sirua Aulo Academy being a top performing school in Kenya, the needs are tremendous.
AW: What’s your biggest challenge with this organization?
CN: Fundraising is always a challenge. It’s hard for us in the United States to understand the dire needs of a third world struggle. These children are vulnerable and can become targets of terrorist groups or human trafficking early on. The groups lure them in. In Kenya, there are 2.3 million orphans. We always emphasize that people need to think globally and act locally to make a difference. Even adults in this country just don’t always seem to understand. The poorest of the poor here in the United States are still better off than the poor in Africa.
LS: What we do to help with the fundraising is to sell beautiful hand-made products through The Essence of Africa. We teach people to see the value in supporting other people, including people all the way over in Kenya.
AW: What’s your fondest memory so far?
LM: In 2011, my husband and I took two friends to Kenya. We arrived at a Maasai village to meet with the local people. There were 35 of them, who stood in a line, all waiting to give us individual hugs. I’ll never forget that. What a welcoming.
CN: About seven years ago, I remember a particular performance. The kids that we work with love to perform. They put on a show and one little girl who was the “Shirley Temple of the group” stole the show. We realized that we didn’t know where she came from and she didn’t have a sponsor. We visited her home and found that she was also an orphan, sharing (with her brother) a dirty piece of foam to sleep on and living in filth. There were flies everywhere. A former Wellington High School teacher decided to become her sponsor. Now she’s living a better life.
Another memory was a rainstorm that we got caught in. We visited the slums, where the little children were playing in the mud. Instead of being upset about the absolute rain and feces-soaked squalor they were living in, they were happily playing in the mud and rain.
AW: How can others get involved or donate?
CN: Dream Sponsors, Inc. accepts checks and credit card donations. We have a website DreamSponsorsInc.com, as well as a Facebook page. We need volunteers. We always need help. Even if it’s just help with social media or grant writing.
LM: The Essence of Africa has a GoFundMe page. Our website is TEOAfrica.com. We have a Facebook page too. You can buy things online from The Essence of Africa. One of our sayings is, “Buy a necklace, support a village.”
CN: We have been very fortunate. Dream Sponsors, Inc. has had children sponsored by the Wellington Rotary Club, local businesses and individuals and the Palm Beach Central High School Interact Club (which is the Rotary Club at the high school level).
AW: How long have you been sponsoring and fundraising for children in the U.S.?
CN: Just recently we began raising funds for children in impoverished neighborhoods here in the U.S. as well. Here the dollar doesn’t go as far. In Africa, you can sponsor a child for $1300 per year and that covers all costs – uniforms, toiletries, school fees, basic needs. Here in the U.S., we’ve been able to help children with affording summer camp and getting access to advanced skills and technology that they otherwise would not have. See the website for more details.
AW: What’s the difference between Dream Sponsors, Inc. and The Essence of Africa? How do these organizations work together?
LM: The Essence of Africa is a for profit organization. Dream Sponsors, Inc. is a non-profit organization. I originally went on a photo safari in the Maasai Mara (the land of the Maasai). The trip re-generated my soul. The people had nothing, but were so kind and unassuming. Meanwhile, it’s very often that kids don’t go to school. If they do, they might walk as far as three miles one way to school. Although The Essence of Africa is for profit, we were able to raise $10,000 through connections. These funds went toward a bore hole, providing clean water to those in Kenya.
LS: Our purpose at The Essence of Africa is to share cultural information, share the needs of the people and share their products. We also work with Sirua Aulo, a sustainable school, which literally means “beautiful lawn.” Our goal is to exchange resources and by doing so, help those in need in Kenya.
Carla Neumann of Dream Sponsors, Inc, Lexy Sanguinetti of The Essence of Africa and Lynne Mesmer of The Essence of Africa
