News

One in seven lives in poverty. One in five children do, too. An inner city? Nope,
they’re Palm Beach County residents.
Those grim statistics are among the reasons that coastal Delray Beach resident Art
Menor became involved with the Palm Beach County United Way. Today, Menor
is chariman of the local United Way board and an integral player in the agency’s ambitious efforts to raise a record $15 million in 2010.
Menor, a real estate lawyer and managing partner of a large Miami firm’s West Palm
Beach office, has been involved in nonprofit efforts for many years, from Big Brothers, Big Sisters to the YMCA and Leadership Palm Beach County.
‘‘But it was the big-picture ability to attack countywide needs that attracted me” to
the United Way, Menor said.
Today, the United Way focuses its resources in key areas affecting the county’s health, income and education. “We look for more concentrated earmarks, areas where we can make a bigger impact with the money.”
Yet raising money is a daunting task in the midst of a recession and with county unemployment at or near all-time highs.
The United Way has changed the tenor of its board from service-oriented members to
those with experience in fundraising. It plans to expand corporate campaigns, to get to more business leaders and get more commitments for contributions. The board is also refocusing its drive to attract major donations from individuals.

Menor is confident he has the team in place to do just that. So confident, that the
board has set the ambitious goal of raising a whopping $25 million a year within five years.
A Florida native, Menor, 54, has lived in Palm Beach County since he was a child and Delray Beach for the last couple decades. He’s married, with a grown son and daughter.
A Cardinal Newman High School graduate, he received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida. He’s an avid runner (“I used to run six days a week, now, sadly, it’s down to two.”)

Delray Beach, he says, is a “great place to live,” and the coast, “a great place to
run.”

United Way of Palm Beach County
ABOUT: For more than 80 years, United Way of Palm Beach County has worked to improve lives for
needy residents. The organization invests in programs and services to benefit
education, income and health.

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN: Last year, United Way raised $14.1 million, which helped provide more than 48,000 Palm Beach County residents with unduplicated health and human services. This year’s goal is $15 million.
HOW TO GIVE:
Donate at work through a payroll deduction; give online at UnitedWayPBC.org or
call 561-375-6600. Or you can mail a check to:

United Way of Palm Beach County

2600 Quantum Blvd.