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The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County has a lot to be proud of, most recently the distinction as a 4-star nonprofit from Charity Navigator.
The high rating is the eighth the Boynton Beach-based organization has received — all consecutively.
“Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities,” said Kelly Layne Starling, a coalition volunteer. “Its ratings are equal to an Oscar in the nonprofit sector.”
Coalition CEO Kristin Calder added: “The literacy coalition is proud to again receive this high honor … in recognition of our steadfast effort, our efficient management and our profound commitment to our mission and the community.”

Quantum Foundation approves new grants
The board of trustees of the Quantum Foundation recently approved 10 new grants totaling over $450,000. A first-time recipient was the George Snow Scholarship Fund: Health Professions Scholarship Initiative, which received $200,000. Other recipients were Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Meals on Wheels, The Arc of Palm Beach County, The Children’s Healing Institute, West Palm Beach Library Foundation’s Healthy You Program, American Cancer Society, Delray Community Wellness, Easter Seals, and National Autism Registry.

Event raises $1M for South County nonprofits
The Havana Nights Charity Poker Tournament featured a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, live music and a high-stakes tournament that, in the process, generated $1 million for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families in Delray Beach and one dozen other organizations.
Sponsored by KAST Construction and The Kolter Group, the event took place at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and brought together more than 130 businesses in support of the cause.
“It is rare to find a company that so heavily invests their leadership’s time, talent and skill to promote something like Havana Nights Charity Poker Tournament … supporting not only our agency’s programs and services and what we do, but what so many others are doing as well,” said Stephanie Seibel, CEO of the Achievement Centers.
Step by step, local charity makes a difference
Shuzz (pronounced shoes) has reached a major milestone of 100,000 pairs of shoes donated since the nonprofit’s inception.
“This achievement is incredible and even more impressive when you consider the charity has only been in operation for seven years and, until two years ago, didn’t have a single employee,” board member and public-relations director Casey Antonelli said.
The organization most recently shipped 500 pairs of shoes to children in the Bahamas affected by Hurricane Matthew.
“These children needed new shoes before the hurricane, and now they need them even more,” Antonelli said.
The mission of Shuzz is to provide proper footwear to children, as well as to conduct lower-extremity surgery for those who need it via medical missions, in poverty-stricken areas around the world.

Delray summer literacy gets $25,000 donation
Jarden Consumer Solutions’ employee-funded charitable entity has presented the Delray Beach Public Library with a record $25,000 grant in support of summer literacy.
The library will use the funds for programming and to purchase books, prizes and snacks for the at-risk students participating, helping prevent the “summer slide.”
 The term refers to a tendency for students — especially those from low-income families — to lose some of their achievement gains made during the school year.
“It is the goal of the JCS …to direct funding to areas that best address the needs in the community, and the summer-literacy program in Delray Beach exemplifies that goal,” said Rocki Rockingham, JCS vice president of community relations and communications.
Library Director Alan Kornblau added: “It is inspiring to see that individuals like the employees of JCS are willing to donate their time and money to give children a greater chance to succeed in their educational endeavors.”
The annual program has distributed more than 26,000 books to local children.

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