Then-Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel prodded the city to donate land for a community garden in 2010.
Since then, the Junior League of Boca Raton has managed and supported the garden,
which has 97 plots that are leased to city residents.
Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Rich Pollack
As Boca Raton’s mayor during the national economic meltdown, Susan Whelchel could see — and feel — the impact the crisis was having on her city.
“You could just sense in the community that it was time to bring people together,” said Whelchel, who served as mayor from 2008 until 2014.
With bringing people together in mind, she came up with the idea of creating a community garden in Boca Raton — one that would provide a living oasis downtown.
She realized, however, that the city couldn’t do it alone. So she turned to an organization she knew could get the job done well — the Junior League of Boca Raton.
After Whelchel and the league spent a couple of years planning and securing support from city leaders, the Boca Raton Community Garden became a reality in 2011. Today it continues to thrive as a partnership between the city and the Junior League.
Whelchel, 72, a resident of the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, is one of 40 women who will be the focus of attention as nominees during the Junior League of Boca Raton’s 29th annual Woman Volunteer of the Year Luncheon on Nov. 18. (See names of all nominees in Philanthropy Notes, Page AT3.)
Whelchel, a Junior League member, says she is humbled to be considered along with other community volunteers.
“Every single one of the nominees is a star and a leader in their organization,” she said.
Whelchel’s role in creating the community garden was a factor in her nomination, but the league is also recognizing her overall leadership in the community and in the community-service group itself.
“Susan has been a mentor and an inspirational figure,” says Kirsten Stanley, president of the Junior League of Boca Raton. “She is an example of how you can translate volunteerism into community activism.”
A league member for more than 35 years, Whelchel is always available to lend a hand to the organization, serving as a celebrity bartender at fundraising events and also as emcee for the annual Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon for several years.
She has been a speaker at several other events, sharing her experiences during her years in public service, which included serving as a City Council member, mayor and member of the county School Board.
Now retired, along with her husband, John, they enjoy traveling (they have a second home in Colorado) and spending time with family, including 10 grandchildren.
Her thoughts on politics?
“The national political scene has been so disappointing and I, along with everyone I speak with, are hopeful that that type of politics does not filter down to the local or state levels. Politics should bring out the best in people, not the worst. People ask me what I miss about not being in politics any longer. I miss the people. I worked with many wonderful people and I don’t get to see them as much.”
Whelchel’s league involvement dates back to a few years after she moved to Boca Raton in 1978. She was introduced to the organization when friends invited her to join what was known as the Junior Service League of Boca Raton.
She credits the league with helping her to become more involved in the community.
“I don’t think I would have ever run for office had I not had the opportunity to learn the leadership skills they were teaching,” she said.
Whelchel serves or has served on the boards of organizations such as the Boca Raton Historical Society, Spirit of Giving Network, Boca Bowl and the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority.
She still feels a sense of pride when she walks through the community garden, which has grown to 97 plots. Ten percent of the food grown is donated to Boca Helping Hands.
“We accomplished something special,” she said. “We did something specifically for the welfare of the community.”
If You Go
What: 29th annual Woman Volunteer of the Year Luncheon
Where: Boca Raton Resort and Club
When: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18, reception and runway raffle; 11:30 a.m. luncheon
Tickets: $95 to $250 per person for luncheon; $100 for after-party
Info: Call the Junior League office at 620-2553 or visit www.jlbr.org and click on “events.”
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