roots and wings - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-28T23:56:27Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/roots+and+wingsCelebrations: ‘Wisdom, Wizards & Wine’ Boca Raton Museum of Art — Dec. 5https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrations-wisdom-wizards-wine-boca-raton-museum-of-art-dec-52024-01-30T17:25:32.000Z2024-01-30T17:25:32.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming<div><p><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12368610498,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12368610498,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12368610498?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>The Delray Beach-based nonprofit Roots and Wings raised more than $50,000 at its inaugural event before a sellout crowd. The fundraiser’s festivities included dinner, a wine presentation, wizard-themed centerpieces, a ‘Wisdom Hunt’ scavenger game and a live auction. The money will support Project UpLift, a tutoring program for students in Title 1 elementary schools. ‘I want to sincerely thank all those who helped make this special inaugural event possible, including the sponsors, those who donated auction items and all those who came out to support the event,’ founder Ted Hoskinson said. ‘The $50,000 raised will go toward our Project UpLift literacy program and will provide more than 100 local students the opportunity to learn to read.’ ABOVE: (l-r) Pamela Weinroth, Jan Savarick, Daniel Hartwell and Pamela Polani. <strong>Photo provided by Emiliano Brooks</strong></em></p></div>Delray Beach: Old School Square again challenges city’s authorityhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/delray-beach-old-school-square-again-challenges-city-s-authority2021-11-03T14:54:11.000Z2021-11-03T14:54:11.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Management company could be forced out by Thanksgiving</span></p>
<p><strong>By Jane Smith</strong></p>
<p>After shutting down all activities, the Old School Square Center for the Arts managers late last month announced a series of free, community concerts which is almost certain to test the strained relationship between the city and OSS. On Oct. 23, managers posted this note on the OSS website: “The City’s impulsive termination of our lease forced us to make some very difficult decisions with regards to our existing calendar of seasonal events and programs.” <br /> The website of the city’s most beloved cultural institution noted that there were no upcoming events, performances, museum exhibits or art school offerings.<br /> Six days later, OSS managers said on the website they would hold four free concerts by tribute bands in November and December. The concerts are an Eagles tribute Nov. 11, a Billy Joel one Nov. 18, Grammy hits Dec. 9, and a Tina Turner tribute Dec. 16.<br /> Yet, according to the lease termination notice the city sent to OSS, no new events can be scheduled without prior approval of the city, Mayor Shelly Petrolia said on Oct. 26.<br /> City commissioners voted 3-2 on Aug. 10 to terminate the lease, telling OSS managers to comply with long-standing requests for audits and other financial documents and giving 180 days’ notice. <br /> Since that vote, OSS managers have attempted to sway enough public support to get the commission to reconsider its vote. In yet another effort, managers announced a special art and cultural show titled “Heart of the Square,” opening Nov. 5 in the Cornell Art Museum.<br /> “Let our voices be heard,” the announcement’s cover page notes.<br /> Delray Beach taxpayers own the nearly 4-acre campus, in the heart of the Old School Square Historic Arts District, which is deed restricted. It must remain an arts and cultural center. If it doesn’t, the property reverts to the Palm Beach County School District. The campus has five entertainment venues: the Fieldhouse, the Crest Theatre, the Creative Arts School, the Cornell Art Museum and the Pavilion. <br /> OSS managers did not return numerous phone calls and email messages. <em>The Coastal Star</em> attempted to contact Emelie Konopka, who was OSS chairwoman during much of the dispute with the city; Holland Ryan, chief operating officer; Carli Brinkman, its outside publicist; and Marko Cerenko, its outside attorney.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Time running out for fixes</span><br /> On Oct. 8, the city sent a notice of default to Cerenko, giving the nonprofit 30 days to fix four problems. One was minor, to provide a list of events and programs for the remaining months of the lease.<br /> But one can’t be fixed easily. It involves finishing the Crest Theatre building renovations. Safety violations exist there, such as an unattached handrail on the main lobby staircase and the unfinished fire sprinkler system in the new kitchen.<br /> If they can’t be fixed in 30 days, then the city could issue a notice to vacate within 15 days, Gina Carter, city spokeswoman, wrote in an Oct. 21 email response to a <em>Coastal Star</em> question.<br /> As for whether the OSS managers can make the necessary repairs by Nov. 8, “that is a question for OSS Inc.,” she wrote. If the city then issues the notice to vacate, the OSS managers would have to be gone by Thanksgiving.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Cancellations stun groups</span><br /> Another uproar began on Sept. 29. <br /> That’s when show organizers received form letters from Ryan, canceling all events as of Sept. 30. The events were scheduled for the Fieldhouse or on the OSS grounds.<br /> This time, the OSS managers blamed the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency for withholding $375,000, six months of funding, for the last fiscal year. <br /> But what the OSS managers failed to say is that they have yet to provide financial documents required by the CRA before receiving any more taxpayer money. The CRA had extended the deadline several times. <br /> After receiving the email, the nonprofit Delray Beach Orchid Society reached out to city commissioners. They immediately contacted the city manager, who dispatched the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to rescue the event. <br /> “It’s our largest fundraiser,” said Michele Owens, president of the Delray Beach Orchid Society. “We couldn’t hold it last year [due to pandemic restrictions] and the prospect of not being able to hold it again — we would not be able to exist.”<br /> The orchid show was Oct. 23-24 in the Fieldhouse and drew one of the show’s biggest crowds. The society did receive back its $1,000 deposit from OSS. <br /> There was one glitch, Petrolia said. The society members counted on use of the refrigerator in the OSS kitchen. But the refrigerator doors had been taped closed, forcing the city to pull one of its refrigerators out of storage and move it to the Fieldhouse for the show.<br /> The city has also stepped in to allow the Delray Chapter of the Southern Handcraft Society to hold its 28th show Nov. 18-20 at the Fieldhouse. <br /> “I’m thrilled,” said President Pam Warren. “There’s not that many facilities that can accommodate us. With less than two months, most places were booked or too expensive.”<br /> The organization received its deposit back from OSS, Warren said, but she would not disclose the amount.<br /> Along with the orchid and handicraft shows, Delray Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department agreed to facilitate several other events after they were canceled by OSS. These include weddings, a bat mitzvah, a Pets of Broward Dog Day Afternoon, and a Roots and Wings educational event. <br /> The city and CRA will also continue their scheduled menorah lighting, Christmas Tree Village and Green Market.<br /> About the same time the events were canceled, the OSS managers also canceled their arts education classes for the remainder of the lease. Students typically pay about $200 for six-week sessions on photography, painting and drawing.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Craft beer festival fizzles</span><br /> OSS managers had touted a ninth annual Craft Beer Festival on its website as a money-raiser. The festival was to be held at Old School Square, but then was to move to Sunset Cove Amphitheater in suburban Boca Raton on Oct. 30.<br /> But it disappeared from the OSS website by Oct. 22.<br /> One likely reason is that OSS managers’ full liquor license, issued by Florida, is not transferrable to another site.<br /> Meanwhile, Delray Beach is moving forward, trying to find a new operator for the Old School Square venues. <br /> The city issued its “invitation to negotiate” on Oct. 18 with a mandatory pre-proposal session at 10 a.m. Nov. 5. Bids must be submitted by 5 p.m. Dec. 17.<br /> The current OSS managers won’t be bidding, Brinkman told other news outlets without explaining why.</p></div>Tots & Teens: Reading is fun with these book clubs, programshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/tots-teens-reading-is-fun-with-these-book-clubs-programs-12021-11-02T14:22:53.000Z2021-11-02T14:22:53.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9760254264,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9760254264,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="220" alt="9760254264?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a></em><em>Roots and Wings bracelets are part of the nonprofit’s incentives to encourage kids to read more books. They come in 21 colors.</em><strong> Photo provided</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Janis Fontaine</strong></p>
<p>A little reading goes a long way. <br /> Experts say that increasing a child’s reading time by just six minutes a day can make a significant difference in meeting grade-level benchmarks. <br /> Helping your child fall in love with reading will reap lifelong benefits. And reading well, even if your kid never falls in love with it, makes life easier in so many ways, from deciphering recipes to understanding cellphone contracts. <br /> So how do we encourage youngsters to read? <br /> Some might enjoy the socializing that comes with book clubs, while others might be motivated by earning free ice cream. <br /> Here are a few ways to increase the reading fun: </p>
<p>The Boca Raton Public Library offers many programs for kids, including these book clubs: <br /> • Booktastic Book Club for early readers meets from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. November’s book is Dragons and Marshmallows, by Asia Citro. Kids pick up a free copy of the book at the Youth Services desk once enrolled. Books are donated by the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library.<br /> • The Tween Book Jam will discuss Echo Mountain, by Lauren Wolk, from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave.<br /> • The Teen Book Club meets from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Downtown Library for a discussion of Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo. <br /> <br />Delray Beach Public Library (100 W. Atlantic Ave.) hosts two clubs. Keep in mind, anyone entering the library must wear a mask. • The Teen Book Club meets at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 as part of its schedule of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Designed for ages 13-17, November’s book is A Song Below Water, by Bethany C. Morrow. Copies are available for free at the library. <br /> • The Readers are Leaders Book Club for grades 4-6 (ages 9-12) meets at 3:45 p.m. the last Monday of the month. In October, the club read Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust, a graphic novel by Loïc Dauvillier. Check <a href="http://www.delraylibrary.org">www.delraylibrary.org</a> for the Nov. 29 book or call 561-266-0194.</p>
<p>The Boynton Beach City Library (115 N. Federal Highway) hosts the Brown Bag Book Club from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 for ages 9-12. In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, kids will read a beautifully illustrated Oglala Lakota legend. They can pick up free copies of the book at the library. <br /> • The Boynton library also hosts a chess club from 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Teen Game Day from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays. Call 561-742-6390 or visit <a href="http://www.boyntonlibrary.org">www.boyntonlibrary.org</a>.<br /> <br />The Highland Beach Library (3618 S. Ocean Blvd.), in an abundance of caution, has not resumed its children’s programs. It may be the first of the year before it does, but check the library’s website at <a href="https://highlandbeach.us/departments/library">https://highlandbeach.us/departments/library</a> or call 561-278-5455.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Roots and Wings launches reading incentive program</span><br /> In September, Roots and Wings, a nonprofit in Delray Beach that is dedicated to fighting illiteracy and promoting excellence in public education, began offering a special deal for students attending Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton schools. To encourage them to read, five area businesses came up with treats for young readers each time they complete reading three books of their choice. <br /> To get their rewards, students record their book titles on their bookmarks and have each entry signed by the classroom teacher and stamped by the school. They can bring the completed bookmark to the business of their choice to collect the reward and a Roots and Wings wristband. Rewards include: <br /> • A free scoop of custard from Whit’s Frozen Custard, 3551 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton or 200 NE Second Avenue in Delray Beach, for every three books read.<br /> • $5 to open a custodial savings account at iThink Financial at locations in Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. <br /> • A 12-ounce smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Café, 512 E. Woolbright Road in Boynton Beach.<br /> • A free round (18 holes) of mini-golf for kids younger than 12 (with an adult) at Putt’n Around, 350 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach.<br /> • A free one-hour pass to the Silverball Museum, 19 NE Third Ave., Delray Beach.<br /> <em>For more information about Roots and Wings, visit <a href="https://rootsandwingsinc.org">https://rootsandwingsinc.org</a> or call 561-404-0455.</em></p></div>Philanthropy Notes: Deadline is Oct. 29 to apply for Impact 100 grantshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthropy-notes-deadline-is-oct-29-to-apply-for-impact-100-gra2021-09-28T15:55:06.000Z2021-09-28T15:55:06.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9621337470,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9621337470,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9621337470?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></strong><em>Members of Impact 100 (l-r, front): Rebecca Scott, Kathryn Gillespie, Allison Davis, Kathy Adkins, Holly Schuttler, Sue Diener, Kirstin Jovanovski, Kelly Fleming, (back) Renee Feder, Lisa Warren, JoAnne Greiser, Emily McMullin, Tandy Robinson, Hilary Sullivan, Cynthia Krebsbach, Carrie Rubin, Lisa Mulhall, Nicole Mugavero, Laura Bull, Marilyn Swillinger, Molly Reiss, Karen Sweetapple, Jeannine Morris and Helen Ballerano. </em><strong>Photo provided by Warner-Prokos Photography</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Amy Woods</strong></p>
<p>Impact 100 Palm Beach County is asking local nonprofits to apply for this season’s share of $100,000 grants.<br /> The submission forms are due Oct. 29.<br /> “During the 2020-2021 grant cycle, 84 grant applications were received, meaning that more than $8.4 million in grant requests came through our doors,” President Holly Schuttler said. “This shows the huge need in our community.”<br /> The organization issues the grants in five focus areas: arts, culture and historic preservation; education; environment and animal welfare; family; and health and wellness. <br /> For more information and to access the forms, call 561-336-4623 or visit <a href="http://www.impact100pbc.org/for-nonprofits">www.impact100pbc.org/for-nonprofits</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Boca Regional campaign exceeds $210 million</span> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9621343691,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9621343691,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="215" alt="9621343691?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>Boca Raton resident Jay Grunin has made a gift of $3 million toward the $250 million redevelopment project at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the largest in the hospital’s history.<br /> The new conference and education center will be named after Grunin and his wife, Azize.<br /> “The Grunin Foundation is well-known for its generosity, and Jay Grunin is the ultimate philanthropist, one who gives with his heart,” campaign Co-Chairman Stan Barry said of the New Jersey-based nonprofit. <br />“The Grunins will be a wonderful asset to the Boca Raton area and to Boca Regional.”<br /> Added Lincoln Mendez, the hospital’s CEO, “We welcome Jay and his wife, Azize, to Boca Raton and are delighted by the foundation’s generous commitment to this project, our vision and Boca Raton Regional Hospital.”<br /> In addition, Ena Kane’s $1 million gift will result in the naming of the retail pharmacy on-site in her honor.<br /> “Mrs. Kane is special to all of us here at the hospital,” Mendez said. “She is a longtime donor who understands the nature of our campus initiative and wants others to benefit from her giving.”<br />The campaign now has raised more than $210 million.<br /> Its plans include the new Gloria Drummond Patient Tower, the new Louis B. and Anne W. Green Lobby and the comprehensive renovation of all existing patient units.<br /> For more information, call 561-955-4142 or visit <a href="https://donate.brrh.com">https://donate.brrh.com</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">ACCF gets financial boost from Delray credit union</span><br />Commemorating its 70th anniversary, Delray Beach-based Power Financial Credit Union made a $50,000 donation that was split among seven South Florida charities.<br />Locally, Achievement Centers for Children & Families received a $7,070 grant. The nonprofit provides opportunities for children in need so they can reach their potential in a positive environment.<br />“It has been our unwavering commitment to our members and our community, through good times and bad, that has allowed us to thrive for the last 70 years,” said Allan Prindle, the credit union’s president and CEO. “We have been fortunate to earn the trust and support of our members and the entire South Florida community. We wanted to show our appreciation as we celebrate this significant milestone by donating to some very worthy charitable causes.”<br />For more information, call 561-266-0003 or visit achievementcentersfl.org.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Partnership benefits children’s education</span><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9621339472,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9621339472,RESIZE_180x180{{/staticFileLink}}" width="104" alt="9621339472?profile=RESIZE_180x180" /></a>Roots and Wings, a charity that works to improve the quality of education in South Florida, has been selected as a new supported partner of the Boca West Children’s Foundation.<br /> The announcement came with a $10,000 check for the nonprofit’s Project UpLift program.<br /> “We are honored to have been chosen as one of Boca West Children’s Foundation’s new supported partners,” Roots and Wings founder and CEO Ted Hoskinson said. “These funds go a long way in ensuring that we are able to add three new Project UpLift participating schools this fall. These kids may otherwise have fallen through the cracks.”<br />Project UpLift has launched at Rolling Green Elementary School in Boynton Beach, Village Academy Center in Delray Beach, and Coral Sunset Elementary School in Boca Raton, impacting 180 second- and third-graders.<br /> For more information, call 561-404-0455 or visit <a href="https://rootsandwingsinc.org">https://rootsandwingsinc.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">The Lord’s Place names COO and board members</span><br /> A nonprofit that works to break the cycle of homelessness in Palm Beach County has appointed Kerry Rodriguez Diaz as chief operating officer.<br /> Diaz joined The Lord’s Place this year as interim COO and since has accepted the permanent position.<br /> “Her methodical, strategic and analytic approach to operations and strategy, coupled with compassion, make Kerry a perfect fit for our culture,” CEO Diana Stanley said, “She is a thought leader who fully embraces our mission.”<br /> The West Palm Beach-based organization is in the midst of a construction project for new headquarters and housing facilities.<br /> “I do not go a day without being in awe of the work that happens at the street level to nurture people in need and meet them where they are with kindness and compassion,” Diaz said. “I cry at least once a week — sometimes with sorrow at the difficult lives people live and sometimes with joy at the steps people make to become stably housed.”<br /> In other news, three fresh faces have joined The Lord’s Place board — Wesley Lang, Bill Proctor and Mary Quick. Lang brings a wealth of financial-management and business-development experience to the board. Proctor received the Unsung Hero Award at the 2018 Ending Homelessness Breakfast.<br /> “Everyone deserves a hand up, not to be confused with a handout,” said Quick, a lifelong philanthropist. “The Lord’s Place is doing just that every day.”<br /> For more information, call 561-494-0125 or visit <a href="https://thelordsplace.org">https://thelordsplace.org</a>.</p>
<p><em>Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.</em></p></div>Philanthropy Notes: Gauff teams with Microsoft to donate devices for Delray kidshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthropy-notes-gauff-teams-with-microsoft-to-donate-devices-f2021-08-03T17:12:18.000Z2021-08-03T17:12:18.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9352148488,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9352148488,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9352148488?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>An ACCF student practices a coding workshop before meeting Coco Gauff via a Zoom call. </em><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Amy Woods<br /></strong></p>
<p>As a professional tennis player and full-time remote student, Coco Gauff sees firsthand the ways technology benefits education.<br /> While completing classes despite maintaining a rigorous training and tournament schedule, the local celebrity was inspired to provide some of the same tools to Delray Beach students.<br /> “This community has given me a lot, so it’s definitely important to give back,” the 17-year-old Gauff said of her hometown.<br /> Teaming up with Microsoft, she helped refresh the main computer lab and build two additional labs for the Achievement Centers for Children and Families with the donation of new devices.<br /> “We are extremely thankful to have been chosen as the recipients for this collaboration,” said Stephanie Seibel, the nonprofit’s CEO. “We want to extend an enormous thank you to Coco and Microsoft for this generous contribution.”<br /> For more information, call 561-276-0520 or visit <a href="https://achievementcentersfl.org">https://achievementcentersfl.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Quantum awards $1.5 million to nonprofits</span></p>
<p>Through its Quantum in the Community initiative, the Quantum Foundation allocated nearly $1.5 million in grants for the first and second quarters of 2021, the largest of which went to FoundCare, one of the government’s federally qualified health centers.<br /> FoundCare will apply the $250,000 toward construction of a new in-house pharmacy at its West Palm Beach location.<br /> “We are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from our friends at Quantum Foundation,” CEO Yolette Bonnet said.<br /> The other grant recipients include The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative; Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County; Children’s Bereavement Center; Helping Our Wounded Foundation of South Florida; Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County; Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches; TeleHealth Access for Seniors; Education Foundation of Palm Beach County; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County; Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County; Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Palm Beach County Health Department; Promise Fund of Florida; T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, and Northend RISE.<br /> For more information, call 561-832-7497 or visit <a href="https://quantumfnd.org">https://quantumfnd.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Roots and Wings keeps soaring during summer</span></p>
<p>This year’s Honda Classic golf tournament donated $5,000 to Roots and Wings, a charity that works to improve the quality of education in South Florida, and its Project UpLift program.<br /> A check presentation took place in June featuring executives from the tournament, board members from Roots and Wings and Plumosa School of the Arts Principal Cathy Reynolds.<br /> Project UpLift helps second- and third-graders who have been identified by their teachers as needing extra help in reading.<br /> Roots and Wings’ education celebration also took place in June, recognizing recipients of the Above and Beyond Award.<br /> More than 100 winners and their guests joined Janet Meeks, the city of Delray Beach’s education coordinator, at the Arts Warehouse for the affair, which included a buffet, a raffle and plaques to the Above and Beyond champions.<br /> For more information, call 561-404-0455 or visit <a href="https://rootsandwingsinc.org">https://rootsandwingsinc.org</a>.</p>
<p><em>Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.</em></p></div>Coastal Star: Retiree goes above and beyond to reward Delray grade-school teachershttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/coastal-star-retiree-goes-above-and-beyond-to-reward-delray-grade2018-01-31T19:57:02.000Z2018-01-31T19:57:02.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960766681,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960766681,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960766681?profile=original" /></a><em>Part of Ted Hoskinson’s Roots and Wings nonprofit raises funds to help Delray Beach third-graders prepare after school for the state’s standardized test. <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong></p>
<p>There was a time, before he became a successful business owner, when Ted Hoskinson’s world revolved around education. <br /> Soon after he graduated from Tulane University, Hoskinson returned to St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., a prestigious private school where he had once been a classmate of future prominent figures, including former Vice President Al Gore.<br /> Hoskinson taught fourth grade and ran the school’s summer program during his 15 years there, gaining an understanding of the challenges educators face and the lack of recognition that often comes with the territory.<br /> So it comes as no surprise that Hoskinson, now 70, is devoting much of his retirement to making sure the educators and staff in Delray Beach’s public schools get a chance to be in the spotlight.<br /> Through Roots and Wings, a nonprofit he founded in 2016, Hoskinson is not only focused on educators but also on helping students in public schools improve their reading skills so they can succeed. <br /> “In this city, this town, we have a tremendous need to make sure people can go to any level they want to, and we have to give them the opportunity to do so,” he said. <br /> Working largely under the radar, Hoskinson and Roots and Wings put time and money into three programs.<br /> The first program — the Above and Beyond Awards — focuses on rewarding teachers and staff members selected by their principals for outstanding work. The teachers receive gift cards during small ceremonies in the classroom, with students involved. <br /> Presentations are made three times a year in elementary schools and four times a year in middle schools and high schools.<br /> Last year, in its first full year, Above and Beyond recognized 144 public school teachers and 27 staff members. <br /> “Teachers at all levels need to be appreciated, and it wasn’t being done to this level,” Hoskinson said.<br /> Under the umbrella of what has been dubbed Project Uplift, Roots and Wings last year awarded $10,000 to the Achievement Centers for Children & Families to make it possible for 25 students to attend a summer program with an academic element at Pine Grove Elementary School. <br /> The group also funds a program at Pine Grove to help third-graders pass the Florida Standards Assessments test so they can move into fourth grade. In the pilot program Hoskinson hopes will be successful and spread to other schools, students attend a one-hour after-school class three days a week taught by Pine Grove teachers. <br /> For Hoskinson, who along with his board raises money for the programs, a personal motivation drives Roots and Wings.<br /> When he and his lawyer wife of 34 years, Anne, retired to Florida 12 years ago, they decided that when they died they would give their money to elementary education. <br /> “Nobody was focusing on elementary education,” he said.<br /> For his first 10 years in South Florida, Hoskinson took it easy, playing tennis, traveling with Anne and enjoying all that Delray Beach had to offer.<br /> After Anne died in April 2016, Hoskinson decided he wouldn’t wait to start building their legacy and, inspired by his wife’s commitment to education, started the nonprofit organization. <br /> “I could have ridden off into the sunset and done whatever I wanted to, but I didn’t because there’s a real need at both the teacher level and the student level,” he said, adding that he was financially secure after selling a business that included 10 card and gift stores and a wholesale balloon and accessories company.<br /> Hoskinson, who lives in Coastal Delray Beach, says that running Roots and Wings takes a lot of time and effort, but is well worth the investment. <br /> “For me a good day is when I wake up and say, ‘This is going to be a great day because we’re going to reward teachers,’ ” he said.</p></div>