Robert Certilman of Highland Beach teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters in August to take children shopping for school supplies and clothing, spending about $12,000. He contacted the local chapter because he wanted to continue a practice he started in New York. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Rich Pollack
Robert Certilman saw the need in his community firsthand while living on Long Island.
During a Christmas party he sponsored for children served by the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, he noticed a little girl in tattered jeans that were on the brink of being unwearable.
“I said, ‘How would it be if I sponsored 50 kids and we took them shopping?’” Certilman recalled.
That was the beginning of a tradition that Certilman, the retired owner of a couple of car dealerships up North, is carrying forward in Florida.
A recent transplant to Highland Beach, he teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties in August to take 80 kids shopping for school supplies and clothing.
Certilman initiated the shopping spree with an unexpected call to the local organization.
“I called them up and told them I wanted to take kids in need to buy school supplies and clothing and help them succeed in school by feeling good about themselves,” he said.
Each child, who was accompanied by a parent or Big Brother or Sister, was given a gift card worth $150 and then sent shopping for clothes and supplies.
Certilman would often be close by, checking in with the shoppers and learning more about what they had gathered.
“The kids would show me what they got,” he said.
Being there was an important part of the day, Certilman said.
“Anyone can write a check, but it’s more effective to have a conversation with the kids,” he said. “I get satisfaction out of seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
The financial support for the shopping spree from the former owner of Honda and Acura dealerships was much appreciated by leaders of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter.
“The back-to-school season often brings added pressure for many families but thanks to Robert’s support, our ‘Littles’ this year started with not only the supplies they need but also a sense of excitement,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, ages 6 to 18, with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties has served 446 children, and the organization is seeking adult volunteers to be mentors.
For Certilman, who supported several causes in New York and now supports a few other organizations in Florida in addition to Big Brothers Big Sisters, said helping those in need is something he enjoys.
“It feels good,” he said.
His advice to others is to find something you love and then support it.
“It doesn’t matter how you support it, as long as you support it,” he said.
Certilman says that he’s glad he is in a position to help others.
“I feel fortunate and blessed with what I’ve accomplished and this helps complete the circle,” he said.
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