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More than 250 supporters gathered in celebration of the 2017 Golden Bell Education Foundation fundraiser and the nonprofit’s 26th anniversary. The occasion also marked the sixth anniversary of the Inner Circle Executive Club.
    Guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers while bidding in the silent auction. Proceeds topping $5,500 will go toward Boca Raton public schools.
    “It was a really fun night, and I can’t thank our generous donors enough,” foundation manager Christie Workman said.

Shuzz benefits from Realtors Association event
    The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches, through its Ready, Set, Glow! Pub & Grub event, gave a gift of $4,670 to Shuzz, an organization that provides new shoes to poor children around the world.
    Pronounced “shoes,” the nonprofit is supported by volunteers who distribute thousands of free shoes to those in need to prevent them from harm and risk.
    “Our members are very active in the community and love to give back through volunteering and fundraising efforts,” association CEO Dionna Hall said.

Bank of America gives $25,000 to literacy group
    Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s 2017 Workforce Development and Basic Needs Grant has named the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County a recipient.
    The $25,000 will support the coalition’s mission of improving the quality of life in the community by promoting literacy. It will go to help adult students in family programs obtain the skills they need to sustain jobs.
    “Thanks to Bank of America’s support through the Workforce Development and Basic Needs Grant, we are able to help families in our community achieve economic mobility,” said Kristin Calder, the agency’s CEO.

Grant creates new class on climate change for kids
    Sandoway Discovery Center has received a three-year, $62,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
    The grant will benefit the Junior Naturalist Program, helping to launch an interactive environmental class called Our Changing Earth. The class covers climate change, sea-level rise and recycling and is offered to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
    “We are so excited to bring environmental education to the children that need it the most,” said Danica Sanborn, executive director of the center. “We hope to inspire the next generation to conserve and protect our natural resources.”

Hunger relief for homebound seniors
    In an effort to reduce senior hunger, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches will deliver food to low-income elderly residents on waiting lists with other agencies thanks to a two-year, $200,000 grant from the Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Foundation.   
    The grant enables the organization to collaborate with United Way of Palm Beach County’s hunger-relief committee to serve homebound seniors.
    “Many of the seniors we will be serving have been waiting for nutritious meals to be delivered for years,” Meals on Wheels President Pamela Calzadilla said.

Friends of Mounts fetes supporters, raises $121,000
    Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden’s spring benefit was supported by more than 250 guests and raised $121,000, which will be used for educational programs, as well as the newly opened Windows on the Floating World: Blume Tropical Garden.

Proceeds from luncheon to purchase birthing simulator
Bethesda Hospital Foundation’s Women of Grace Luncheon returns Nov. 9 to honor five local philanthropists for extraordinary service in the community.
The nominees are: Yvonne Boice, of Palm Beach State College Foundation; Tammy Culmer, of Take Stock in Children; Linda Heneks, of YMCA of South Palm Beach County; Jacqueline Moroco Maloney, of Bethesda Hospital Foundation; and Kirsten Stanley, of Junior League of Boca Raton. A 2017 Future Woman of Grace also will be recognized — Claudia Cabral, a senior at Suncoast Community High School. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Women and Children at Bethesda Health through the purchase of a state-of-the-art, realistic mother and baby birthing simulator.
The luncheon begins with a reception at 10:30 a.m. followed by the awards ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. For information, call 737-7733, Ext. 84429 or visit bethesdahospitalfoundation.org/events.

Unicorn Children’s group names board members
Unicorn Children’s Foundation, a leader in the field of special needs, has appointed 11 incumbents and nine new members to the board of directors.
The group brings a wealth of business knowledge that will help the organization expand its impact and ensure children with special needs excel in their communities.
The 2017-18 panel consists of President Gregory Fried, Vice President Melissa Burkhardt, secretary Dr. Rafael Cabrera, treasurer Tabitha LeTourneau Meyerer, Alisa Bachana Jaffe, Marilyn Blanco-Corey, Lori Cabrera, Michael Church, Claude DuBois, Joseph Eppy, Angela Fisher, Barry Halperin, Madeline Hillsberg, William Kruegel, Jeannette Stark, Gwendoline Taylor, Gail Wasserman, Gale Wechsler, Michelle Yellin and Adam Ziffer.

Submit your news, event or listing to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.