011212 The Mall at Wellington Green. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)
Local Flavor at Its Best!
Live 360° Indoor Farmer’s Market
Starting Saturday, June 10
WHAT
Live 360° Indoor Farmer’s Market
Take a break from the hot Florida sun at our indoor farmer’s market! Shop freshly baked breads, plants and flowers, jams, jellies, honey, specialty dips, gluten-free items and more while enjoying local artists’ demonstrations and musical performances.
WHEN
Second Saturday and Sunday of every month from June through October
Saturday hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE
Near City Furniture and Grand Court
The Mall at Wellington Green
10300 W Forest Hill Blvd
Wellington, FL 33414
For more details about the Indoor Farmer’s Market, click here.
The Mall at Wellington Green’s two levels feature more than 160 stores and restaurants. Stores include Macy’s, Nordstrom, Brighton Collectibles, Chico’s, Express, Forever 21, H&M, LOFT, PANDORA and Helzberg Diamonds. Dining and entertainment options include Paragon Theaters, Cask + Shaker, California Pizza Kitchen, Subway and Chick-fil-A.
The Mall at Wellington Green
The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W Forest Hill Blvd., Ste 2000 in Wellington, Florida; hours are Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Restaurants and department store hours may vary. For more information, visit ShopWellingtonGreen.com like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
ABOUT STARWOOD RETAIL PARTNERS
Starwood Retail Partners is not your father’s – or grandfather’s – landlord. We’re
acquiring, redeveloping, managing, leasing and operating the next generation of shopping centers for a new generation of shoppers: active, exciting community cores for an increasingly interconnected consumer.
Owned by Starwood Capital Group, we have grown our portfolio to 30 centers in 16 states across the United States since our founding in 2012, working with top-tier investment firms to help finance our properties, and employing the talents and skills of the most creative professionals in the business to maximize their value. We build solid relationships and partner with our retailers, and invest in innovative technologies that help our properties become more productive, our stores more exciting and our shoppers more engaged.
We understand that ultimately, as an owner, as an employer and as a citizen of our communities, it’s not about property, it’s about people. www.starwoodretail.com
NECO Hosts 31st Annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony
Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch
Chairman Herb Baum Receives Honor
JUPITER, Fla. (June 5, 2017) – Herb Baum recently received a national medal of Honor award in New York (May 14, 2017) from the NECO (National Ethic Coalition of Organizations). Baum is the Chairman of the Board of Furry Friends, The Humane Society of Jupiter-Tequesta, Inc., in Florida.
Among the awardees were Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Governor John Kasich of Ohio, activist Malala Yousafzai, TV host Fareed Zakaria and Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation’s most renowned awards for leadership and service within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record.
Mr. Baum, a philanthropist, has been Chairman of the Advertising Council, Chairman of the Association of National Advertisers and has served on more than ten corporate boards. He is a co-author of the book, “The Transparent Leader”.
Prior to retirement, Baum served as President of Campbell Soup North and South America, Chairman and CEO of the Quaker State Corporation, President and COO of Hasbro Inc. and Chairman and CEO of the Dial Corporation. Baum is a graduate of Drake University.
Pat Deshong, Furry Friends President, was present when Herb was honored and said, “We are so proud of herb and all of his achievements and are honored and proud of all he has done for our organization. Herb was cited for his business acumen regarding the importance of diversity which we hold in high regard and practice at Furry Friends”.
Herb was quoted “I believe strongly that a diverse organization – one that values and respects the uniqueness of every individual – is a stronger, more competitive organization. By fully utilizing diversity we enrich our products, our performance, and our lives.”
Furry Friends’ mission is to reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets in our community. A few years after establishing the charitable hospital, Furry Friends opened one of the only no-kill shelters in South Florida. The shelter reserves its space for animals that have been abused, neglected, injured and abandoned. The organization does not receive government funding but rather relies on donations, grants, events and other fundraising activities.
To learn more, about Furry Friends and how you can support the organization visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org or call Pat Deshong, President at 747-5311 ext. 1.
Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, 401 Maplewood Drive, Suite 8, Jupiter, FL 33458. Furry Friends is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit.
Summer is officially here. This season is shaping up to be a busy one around Wellington, starting with multiple Capital Improvement Projects slated to begin this summer.
Here is an update of a few of these projects:
Forest Hill Boulevard Sink Hole Repair: Construction is scheduled to start June 5th. This will be after school lets out for the summer break.
Hawthorne Neighborhood Park Project: Construction anticipated to be completed in August 2017.
Dorchester Park Observation Platform: The project is currently in the design and permitting phase. Construction is scheduled to start in July 2017.
For a complete list of our capital improvement projects taking place around Wellington, please click this link: Capital Improvement Projects
For our Great Hometown, summer offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors. This year, we are excited to present another action packed summer of free entertainment for the entire family. From movies on the lawn, to food trucks, and summer camps, there is something the entire family can enjoy.
The kids will be out of school soon and what better way for them to spend their summer than our summer camp programs. Wellington’s Parks and Recreation Department offers an all-day summer camp from June to the middle of August each year. The camp is held Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Village Park. Campers experience an exciting daily schedule of activities including sporting events, athletics, arts and crafts, entertainment and games, animal exhibits, rock wall climbing, magicians, movies, trips to the Wellington Aquatics Complex, field trips and much, much more. Visit our website wellingtonfl.gov to find a complete list of events and programs.
As Floridians, we enjoy days that are a mix of sun and rain. Our normally sunny mornings are usually followed by midafternoon rains which can be anything from a light drizzle to heavy downpours and lightning storms. Heat and humidity are ever present so we must take precautions to stay safe this season. Summer also brings hurricane season which begins on June 1st; while South Florida has not been hit by a major hurricane in the last couple of years, it is important to be prepared.
First things first—always pay close attention to National Weather Service updates. In recent years, it’s become all too clear how unpredictable storms can be. A storm’s track and intensity can change quickly, so don’t assume that just because we’re not on a current forecast track that we won’t see significant effects.
Make sure you prepare for any potential risks and are ready to act on your preparations if authorities ask you to. It’s vital that you assess your home’s vulnerabilities. Figure out what room will be safe to stay in during a storm.
Create a supply kit. Some of the items you’ll want to include are water (one gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days), a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.
If you haven’t completed your tree trimming, please do so immediately (and properly). It’s important that all trees and shrubs are well-trimmed so that they’re more wind-resistant. Remember to properly dispose of yard waste. Dead branches and loose debris may become dangerous missiles during a storm.
Have a plan for keeping your pets safe. You should have enough supplies for them as well.
Last but not least, don’t forget to plan for the worst-case scenario. You don’t want to be left scrambling in the case of an evacuation order. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to leave, where to go, and how to contact each other.
Wellington is prepared, and rest assured that together we can overcome the obstacles Mother Nature throws at us. I am hopeful we can avoid any major storms this year, but as long as we all prepare early, we can ensure that if anything does come our way, we’ll be more than ready for it.
CALLING ALL SMALL PALM BEACH COUNTY NONPROFITS: Apply today for a Quantum in the Community grant and share in $750,000!
Applications open June 12 for small, grassroots nonprofits in Palm Beach County to receive their share of $750,000. For the past six years, West-Palm Beach-based health funder, Quantum Foundation has set aside a total of $4 million for this project. 2017 will mark the 7th annual Quantum in the Community initiative to help local nonprofits who are working towards a healthier Palm Beach County by meeting the basic needs of residents like food, clothing, shelter and transport.
Quantum Foundation’s President Eric M. Kelly said: “Although the foundation has funded major health systems and programs in Palm Beach County, we recognize a great need still exists in our communities. Having basic needs met is essential for people to be healthy, and we want to help those who need it the most.”
All applications are carefully considered by a committee made up of Quantum Foundation Program Officer Shannon Hawkins, chairwoman Donna Mulholland and board members Ethel Isaacs-Williams and Denis Coleman, Jr.
While the application process for Quantum in the Community grants is streamlined, there are strict criteria for nonprofits who apply:
• You must be registered as a 501[C]3.
• You must have been working in Palm Beach County for at least 6 months.
• Your annual operating budget may not exceed $500,000.
• You must provide basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, utilities and transport to the county’s most vulnerable residents.
No one organization will receive more than $25,000 of the $750,000 total.
To learn more, visit the website www.quantumfnd.org/quantum-in-the-community
All applications must be submitted using the Foundation’s online system by the August 18th deadline.
Funding announcements will be made the week of October 16th.
MAPPING THE FUTURE: WPB INVITES PUBLIC, COLLABORATIVE INNOVATORS TO OKEECHOBEE CORRIDOR MEETING
Noted cities expert and CityFi co-founder, Gabe Klein, to headline kick-off on Monday June 12
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (JUNE 5, 2017)– Members of the public, community innovators, and municipal leaders are invited to attend “Mapping the Future”– a charrette and public meeting to discuss and plan the future of the Okeechobee Corridor. This four-day interactive event, which invites stakeholders to bring ideas and map solutions, kicks-off on Monday, June 12 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Gabe Klein–nationally known cities expert, co-founder of CityFi, and TEDx speaker–will headline the kick-off event and set the stage for the forum. Alta Planning + Design, tasked with conducting the City’s mobility study, will present initial findings. Klein will then open the floor to public discussion and collaboration, as attendees will be split into groups and challenged to design ideal solutions for infrastructure concerns. The hands-on activity is intended to spark inspiration and provide real solutions. Alta Planning + Design will give serious consideration to all proposed solutions and incorporate the ideas into their findings on Thursday, June 15.
“We are so pleased to have a nationally-recognized expert like Gabe Klein working toward solutions on behalf of the City of West Palm Beach,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio. “We encourage anyone who has a voice and a vested interest in the vibrant downtown community to join us – come for one day, or come for them all, but please make sure that your voice is heard.”
Klein will kick off the charrette by sharing his experiences as the former Commissioner of the Chicago and Washington, D.C. Departments of Transportation. In both cities, he revamped technology platforms and government processes while focusing on putting people first. He honed his creativity and leadership skills working in business, including Zipcar, where he served as Vice President for four years; Bikes USA, where he served as the national Director of Stores; and his own electric powered, organic food truck chain, On The Fly. He is a consultant who works on behalf of Alta Planning + Design, the urban design agency analyzing the City’s future mobility.
On Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14, the public is welcome to visit the convention center to track progress during “Creating the Vision.” The meetings will be open from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., and a team of engineers and city planners will be onsite to listen and provide feedback on the forum.
On the final evening, the mobility experts, with input from the community, will be “Presenting the Vision.” The design team will unveil the ideas and concepts developed during the charrette and share actionable next steps for the future of mobility in the City of West Palm Beach.
The City of West Palm Beach is embarking on a bold initiative to enhance and improve how people move in the City. The initiative and its supporting planning efforts will serve as a road map to create a modern, well-balanced transportation network that provides mobility choices that are engaging and efficient. During the last several months, the City has engaged the following stakeholders: Metropolitan Planning Organization, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Palm Beach County, Florida Department of Transportation, Town of Palm Beach, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, homeowner, condo and neighborhood organizations, and Florida Atlantic University.
All events will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, second floor room 2B. To preregister for these events, please email: mobility@wpb.org. To learn more about the City’s mobility study, visit www.wpbmobility.com. To learn more about Gabe Klein, please visit http://www.gabeklein.com/.
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Official West Palm Beach Mobility and Okeechobee Boulevard Corridor Study Charrette Schedule of Events:
• Monday, June 12 – 5:30 – 8 p.m.
“Mapping the Future”
Gabe Klein will kick off the four-day charrette as he shares his experiences as the former Commissioner of the Chicago and Washington D.C. Departments of Transportation, in addition to sharing insights into the City’s Okeechobee Corridor Study. In both cities, he revamped technology platforms and government processes while focusing on putting people first, versus automobiles on city streets. Klein is co-founder of CityFi, former ZipCar executive, renowned author and TEDx speaker.
After addressing attendees, Alta Planning + Design will present the findings of the Okeechobee Boulevard Corridor Study. Findings will include data on traffic patterns and the people who live, work and play in West Palm Beach.
Attendees will then begin the charrette portion of the evening, breaking into small groups and challenged to come up with solution-oriented suggestions for the City’s infrastructure. They will share their ideas with the engineers and city planners to consider and viable options will be incorporated into the final report, to be presented to the public on Thursday.
• Tuesday, June 13 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“Creating the Vision”
Give one-on-one feedback to city planners, engineers, designers and community leaders and hear about the progress and discussion thus far.
• Wednesday, June 14 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“Creating the Vision”
Give one-on-one feedback to city planners, engineers, designers and community leaders and hear about the progress and discussion thus far.
• Thursday, June 15 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“Presenting the Vision”
The design team will unveil the ideas and concepts developed during the charrette, sharing actionable next steps for the future of mobility in the City of West Palm Beach.
Wellington students immersed in discovery at South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
Program made possible by Jacobs Family Foundation of Wellington
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (May 19, 2017) – More than 200 fourth graders from Binks Forest Elementary School spent a morning immersed in scientific inquiry as they toured the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium as part of a program made possible through a Jacobs Family Foundation grant.
The students’ visit was part of the Science Center’s STEM Passport Program, which combines classroom instruction with a visit to the center’s exhibits and activities. The program features technology, engineering and math-based activities and experiments that employ deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium received a $25,000 grant that enabled several Wellington area elementary and middle schools to participate during the 2016-17 school year.
“For many schools, field trips are virtually impossible to arrange due to transportation and other costs. Science Passport eliminates barriers by absorbing all expenses and making the field trip as effortless and effective as possible,” said Kate Arrizza, Chief Operating Officer of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. “We were very excited to receive this grant from the Jacobs Family Foundation that expanded our ability to present the program to Wellington-area students. This fulfilled a wish from Wellington teachers who had been asking us to bring the program to their schools.”
At the Science Center, the students tested their knowledge of the properties of matter as they watched a demonstration called Nitromania and got a first-hand feel of a chilling nitrogen cloud. In addition to the demonstration, the students toured the Science Center and Aquarium exhibits.
The mission of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is to open every mind to science, and the indoor/outdoor venue features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” and an interactive Everglades exhibit. Its newest feature is an 18-hole Conservation Course – an outdoor putting course with science-focused education stations. For more information about the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, please call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter. The Jacobs Family Foundation of Wellington was formed to facilitate the Jacobs family’s longstanding commitment to philanthropic efforts in and around Wellington. The Jacobs Family Foundation is focused on enabling community programs that will have a material, positive impact on the Wellington community. Through grants, it supports medium- to long-term programs for education, athletics, at-risk youth, and preservation in and around Wellington. For additional information, visit www.jffwellington.org. ###
I’ve seen a lot in my travels but sometimes in the most unexpected places I am completely surprised at what I find. This is exactly how I felt when I walked into the American Treasure Tour. Located just outside Philadelphia in Pennsylvania’s historic Montgomery County, the American Treasure Tour is a collection of—well, everything. I’ve never seen anything like this place.
The Old Warwick Hotel Chandelier
To say the exterior of American Treasure Tour is nondescript is an understatement. Located in a former B. F. Goodrich Tire plant, the American Treasure Tour occupies 100,000 square feet of factory space. And almost every square inch of it is filled with the most eclectic collection of memorabilia I’ve seen anywhere…EVER. Upon entering the former factory I was immediately struck by the décor. The walls were beige like most factory buildings but these beige walls were topped with an enormous sparkling chandelier from the Old Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia. And that was only the beginning!
American Treasure Tour Music Room
Nickelodeons, Music Boxes, Dance Hall Organs and more
Our tour began in the Mechanical Music Room where we were awed by one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical musical instruments. Primarily from the early 20th century, there were stunning Nickelodeons, music boxes and dance hall organs—just to name a few. A massive miniature display depicting scenes from movies and random other things occupies another section of the space. We took some time to look for recognizable movie scenes: Star Trek, the Gremlins, Towering Inferno…I could go on for days. And, then at one point there was a bear playing a banjo—because, why wouldn’t there be? As for housekeeping, kudos to Woody, age 84, who works Tuesday through Friday continually dusting the collection from one end to the other. The tour of the music room last approximately 40 minutes. And then it’s off to the Toy Box.
Miniatures at American Treasure Tour
An Unforgettable Toy Box
The second part of the tour is a 50-minute tram ride through the Toy Box—100,000 square feet of Americana. Imagine the largest garage sale you’ve ever seen multiplied by about 1,000. We passed a castle made of 369,000 Popsicle sticks—it’s in the Guinness Book of World Records. There’s also a giant 15-foot women’s high-heeled shoe. Throw in a collection of movie poster memorabilia, holiday decorations from every season and numerous creepy clown dolls for good measure: that might get you close to what awaits in the Toy Box. But wait, there’s more (said in my best infomercial voice) the Toy Box is also home to a vintage car collection.
Popsicle Castle in the Toy Box
We rolled past a 1958 Studebaker Scotsman Station wagon, a 1914 Woods Mobilette, a 1926 Mack Truck with enclosed cage back, a 1914 Maxwell Sedan and a 1917 Nash-Quad truck—just to name a few. The collection is staggering with autos dating from 1901 to 1985.
As we rode through the collection, I nearly gave myself whiplash trying to check out everything. I’m certain you could take the tour every day for a year and discover something new every time. And what’s amazing about this collection is that it belongs to one anonymous person.
Vintage Cars in the Toy Box
The American Treasure Tour offers private guided group tours Monday through Friday. It’s open to the public on Saturday for self-guided tours in the music room and tram tours through the Toy Box. And it is a delight for all ages—even with those creepy clowns lurking about.
The Adventure Continues at Arnold’s Family Fun Center
Occupying 200,000 square feet of space, Arnold’s Family Fun Center has laser tag attractions, black light mini golf, a bowling alley, a massive arcade, bumper cars, Krazy Kars and go-karts. It’s a place for kids of all ages.
Go Karts at Arnold’s Family Fun Center
If you’re brave enough, check out Area 2200. This permanent indoor laser tag experience is anything but typical. We were outfitted with laser guns (yes, sometimes people do give me weapons) and directed to a rickety elevator which transported us to the make-believe 13th floor. The door opened to a dark room filled with old lockers and all manner of other things that were about to make their presence known.
I’m not a fan of things jumping out at me. So when the zombies started appearing and my task was to shoot them before they shot me, I pretty much just screamed and ran—leaving my husband to take care of the monsters. Things got even creepier when I realized a live clown had entered into the mix. I survived, but only because the zombies didn’t have real ammo.
Armed & Ready at Area 2200
If you survive the apocalypse, you’ll need to re-fuel and Arnold’s Bistro & Bar is the place to go. The menu has plenty of delicious options but I highly recommend the Philly cheese steak. And there’s even a special Kids Corner menu for ages 10 and under for just $6.00 per meal. If you happen to visit on a Tuesday, kids eat free.
If you go
Montgomery County makes a great addition to a vacation in the Philadelphia area. In addition to the American Treasure Tour and Arnold’s Family Fun Center, it’s home to the King of Prussia Mall with 2,793,200 square feet of retail space. You can literally shop til you drop.
Staying in the suburbs of Philadelphia is easier on the family budget, too. An excellent lodging option is the Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge/Oaks conveniently located within minutes of the American Treasure Tour and Arnold’s and just 4.5 miles from Valley Forge and 25 miles from Philadelphia’s center city.
(June 1, 2017) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County today invited the public to two critical events in June – an evening discussion in West Palm Beach and a luncheon in Lake Worth. Both of these informative events will feature expert speakers discussing timely issues and current controversies.
June 13 in West Palm Beach
Why Courts Matter – Immigration
The main speaker is Jacqueline Delgado, daughter of Cuban immigrants is an active immigration lawyer. From 6 to 8 pm at the Palm Beach Post Auditorium, 2751 South Dixie Highway (on the SW corner of Belvedere Road and US1). This is a FREE event. Advance registration is requested at www.lwvpbc.org or by calling Estelle Friedman at 561.968.4123. Co-sponsors include the ACLU of Palm Beach County and the National Council of Jewish Women Palm Beach County Sections (NCJW).
June 21 in Lake Worth
Palm Beach County’s Health Care District
Guest speaker for this luncheon event will be Rick Roche, Chief Administrative Officer and Hospital Administrator for the Lakeside Medical Center. He is in his fifth year at the Health Care District and has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare operations. The luncheon 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 $25. Advance registration is required at www.lwvpbc.org or by calling Estelle Friedman at 561.968.4123.
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.
Silvie Bells, Bringing Cheer to the NICU During the Holidays
By Krista Martinelli
When Jennifer and Caleb Smith headed to the hospital in December for the birth of their daughter, they had a picture in their minds of how wonderful it would be to have a “Christmas baby.” However, their high hopes turned into a nightmare rather quickly, just seconds after baby Silvana was born.
Silvana (Silvie) had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, meconium in the umbilical cord and lungs; and was diagnosed with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn. “My OB/GYN doctor had this look on her face, and I knew that it was not good,” says Jennifer. They were told that their baby needed to be transported to a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at another hospital. “I got to see her for only about 5 to 10 seconds, but I couldn’t see her face, she had an oxygen mask on,” says Jennifer. It was 30 hours later that she had the chance to see her newborn baby again in Davie. It was nearly a month before she had the chance to hold baby Silvie.
Baby Silvie in the NICU
Silvie was placed on a high powered life-support oscillator, had four blood transfusions and countless procedures during her time in the NICU. She was given a 10% chance of living. “We always said if she makes it, we will find a way to give back,” says Jennifer. After two months of what both Jennifer and Caleb call one of the darkest times in their life, they were finally able to take Silvie home. Despite the odds, she made it!
“Being in the NICU is like being in a war zone. Alarms are ringing; doctors and nurses are tending to over 50 babies in a small space. The noise never stops. Each baby is hooked up to a monitor that constantly alarms,” describes Jennifer. Sadly, not all of the babies they saw were as fortunate as Silvie. The baby next to her, who had a similar diagnosis, died on New Year’s Eve. Jennifer describes it as a nightmare and her memory of “baby’s first New Year’s”.
As the holidays approached the next year, Jennifer realized that there are a lot of good organizations like Toys for Tots, but there’s really nothing for parents and babies who end up in the NICU during the holidays. She started a GoFundMe page and an organization called Silvie Bells to gather gifts and useful items for those parents in the NICU during the holidays. They quickly put together fifty gift bags full of everything that they had needed. Jennifer and Caleb were the perfect couple to gather these items, as they had inside knowledge of exactly what was the most helpful in their own experience.
“With Silvie Bells, we give parents hope and a little bit of light in their darkest time,” says Jennifer. “There’s not a lot of cheer in the NICU, but if we can bring them even five minutes of happiness, we’ve succeeded.”
Boppy Pillows and reusable water bottles, which would later go into the bags delivered to parents in the NICU, thanks to Silvie Bells
How did you get donations for Silvie Bells?
“Almost all of the companies I approached matched us one for one,” says Jennifer. For example, the makers of Boppy Pillows matched them one for one – we purchased 25 and the company donated 25 of them. Wubbanub was another great thing for NICU parents to have. It’s a pacifier attached to a little stuffed animal. “It was the first kind of pacifier that Silvie was able to hold onto,” says Jennifer.
When babies are hooked up to all kinds of cords and put on multiple medications, it’s important that the wipes used are fragrance-free and don’t cause diaper rash on top of everything else. A company called Water Wipes generously donated 2 packages per family.
Owlet did the one for one matching, so that each of the babies could get sock monitors, which measure oxygen and pulse rate. This was something very helpful to have at home, Jennifer and Caleb found. These sock monitors are valued at $250 each.
Another gift in the goody bag was the LullaDoll, which “breathes” to the pattern of a meditating yogi. The doll carries the Mom’s scent and has a slight heartbeat sound, making it much easier for the baby to sleep, as it mimics the womb.
Since many of the mothers in the NICU couldn’t even hold their babies, they were pumping instead of breast feeding. Jennifer thought re-usable water bottles would be a good gift “because we all needed to stay super-hydrated.”
Another important tool of the trade is a notebook and a pen, so those were included too. Different doctors would tell them different things. “I found it very helpful to keep a journal of everything that was said to us,” says Jennifer. One little girl donated part of her annual allowance toward this and helped shop for the notebooks and pens.
Where they were stationed at Salah Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Center, there was a Subway and a Starbucks inside the hospital. So Subway and Starbucks gift cards were part of the goody bags too.
Someone who reached out to them via social media was generous enough to crochet 50 tiny newborn hats for the gift bags. “Jasmine, the hat maker, packaged them in little bags with candy canes,” says Jennifer.
“I included tons of snacks,” says Jennifer. “I thought Sugar Babies, Kind Bars, Baby Ruth bars and Hershey’s Kisses were especially fitting.”
Each bag was valued at approximately $575, full of useful items for parents and their babies in the NICU
Silvie’s grandfather works at Stonegate Bank, Pompano Beach. Instead of doing Secret Santas, they all donated to Silvie Bells bringing about $1,000 to the donation pool.
When it was all said and done, each gift bag was valued at around $575. It was a joyous day of handing out the gift bag to each family. Last December Jennifer set up tables with food in the hallway of the NICU, where they had been just a year previously. They brought Silvie, which was fun for some of the nurses who hadn’t seen her since she was an infant. Just seeing Silvie, a healthy baby, gave some of the families hope as they realized that Silvie came from the very same NICU. All were incredibly grateful for the bags.
Silvie Bells is growing with the objective of reaching a few more hospitals each year. This year they plan to again visit Salah Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Center and another hospital in Palm Beach County. They participated in the Great Give and were very happy to receive nearly $1,000. Meanwhile, Jennifer has friends who have home businesses like Jamberry and LulaRoe. They have been having fundraisers each month for Silvie Bells, donating a part of the profits to the nonprofit, which is now a 501c3.
“I’d really like a mentor, so I could figure out how to really grow my nonprofit,” says Jennifer Smith. Her only goal is to give out more gift bags to more parents in the NICU. In fact, their mission statement is simple, “Silvie Bell’s mission is to give families with babies in the NICU gifts and support during the holiday season.” Jennifer would like to get more corporate donations, now that Silvie Bells has non-profit status and grow the organization.
Caleb, Jennifer and Silvie Smith of Silvie Bells
How do you get involved with Silvie Bells?
You can donate by visiting their website, SilvieBells.com/donate or you can volunteer. “We can always use volunteers for packing bags and delivering them to the hospital,” says Jennifer. “A great thing about Silvie Bells is there’s no overhead and no administrative costs. All donations go directly into the gift bags.”
Celebrate our blue planet with our favorite sea turtle patients at LMC! On Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, we will be hosting our annual World Oceans Day FREE event to include engaging activities aimed to spread awareness of plastic pollution prevention. This year’s theme is “Our Ocean, Our Future.” Join us as we take a stand against marine debris and learn about ways everyone can help keep our ocean clean, blue and trash free. For more information, please visit: www.marinelife.org/calendar
Mayor’s Column
