By Mary Thurwachter, managing editor
The start of a new year is invigorating. It’s not so much about resolve (as in “I resolve to lose 10 pounds” or “I resolve to be more timely with my thank-you notes)” as it is about beginning anew. A new year is a blank canvas ready to be transformed into whatever we decide to make of it.
If history is any indication, we will find that many people will decide to be generous with both their time and treasure.
So many in our community have enriched lives by volunteering for organizations designed to help others. These are the kind souls we find delivering meals to shut-ins, shuttling patients around the hospital, leading a sing-alongs at nursing homes, or perhaps tutoring a youngster with his math homework.
And then there are those who serve on boards and write out large checks so that charities known to help so many, can continue to do so even during these challenging economic times.
Last year, we saw record-breaking generosity from our residents, including a $25 million grant for neuroscience center on the campus of Boca Raton Community Hospital and a $25 million gift to a project to cure paralysis.
We celebrated the birthday of a local philanthropist who, with her husband, gave charities more than $40 million over the years and served on the boards of 16 organizations.
In our Coastal Star feature, we turned the spotlight on volunteers, too, although many were not eager to be recognized. That’s not why good folks do good things, after all, they told us. They help others because, for them, it’s simply the right thing to do.
What’s right for you this year?
Here’s wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous new year. And keep up the good work! Our community is a better place because of it.
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