Amy and Bob DeVries contributed a gift to Boca Helping Hands that will help the nonprofit’s Food Assistance and Workforce Development programs. Photo provided
Boca Helping Hands will expand its Workforce Development and Food Assistance programs courtesy of a gift from longtime supporters Bob and Amy DeVries of Boca Raton. The donation, the amount of which is undisclosed, is to be distributed over the next five years. It will enable a special emphasis on advancing job training initiatives.
The program already enrolled 99 students last year, with 54 successfully being hired for new jobs. The initiative, formerly known as the Job Training Program, was renamed to better reflect the scope of services provided, from training in skills and career readiness to creating paths toward sustainable employment.
Junior League seeks help with girls’ hygiene supplies
Members of the Junior League of Boca Raton period poverty committee are asking for the community’s help during Period Poverty Awareness Week, coming up May 11-17.
The committee has donated more than 7,000 hygiene supplies to underserved girls so far this year.
“People don’t realize that underserved girls often miss several days of school each month because they don’t have sufficient hygiene supplies. This puts them behind in their education,” said Victoria Matthews, president of the Junior League of Boca Raton.
“We need the community’s help to enable these girls to be in school every day and not have to worry about whether they have the supplies they need.”
Donate to the Junior League of Boca Raton’s Amazon Wishlist here: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KI5P6K79WTE2?ref_=wl_share.
Also, members of the Junior League of Boca Raton made an extra difference in the community during the organization’s ninth annual Week of Impact, March 9-14. Members donated 74 extra hours of volunteer work.
During the Week of Impact, members packed more than 14,000 period supplies for underserved girls, made 250 sandwiches for the Farm Workers Council’s after-school and spring break programs, and read to 175 kids in eight classrooms as part of the Raising Readers program.
Members volunteered in the HABCenter’s nursery, organized donated clothing and supplies and delivered them to the Child Rescue Coalition, and packed boxes of food at Boca Helping Hands for underserved kids to take home for the weekend.
Girl Scouts have profitable cookie sales this season
Girl Scout cookie season generated more than $6.3 million as thousands of girls gained business and leadership skills selling the popular line of cookies.
Of the sales total, more than $850,000 is returned directly to the troops to help support activities including community service projects, outdoor adventures, travel opportunities and leadership experiences.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program, the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, empowers girls to develop essential skills in goal-setting, money management, decision-making, people skills and business ethics.
This year, the girls had an additional sales opportunity with the introduction of the Exploremore, a Rocky Road-inspired sandwich cookie.
The business skills the girls develop are crucial, particularly since 46% of female K-12 students in Florida do not perform on grade level in math and 13% fewer girls met grade-level math standards in the year following the pandemic, as highlighted in the Girl Scouts of Florida Association’s State of the Florida Girl Report.
“Every cookie season reminds us of the limitless potential within every Girl Scout,” said Lisa Johnson, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.
Students at Milagro Center to receive $10,000 grant
The nonprofit Milagro Center after-school organization in Delray Beach has been awarded a $10,000 grant to bring its sustainability vision to life.
For the past seven years, Milagro Center leader Jeaneen West has facilitated the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a development program that empowers students to create meaningful change in their schools and communities.
This year, participants submitted a proposal for an Impact Project centered on creating a “World Without Waste.” Their idea has been selected for funding through the Coca-Cola Sustainability Innovation Challenge, earning them a $10,000 grant to enable students to develop a calming corner and upcycled art studio. They will transform discarded material — such as plastics, cardboard and fabric — into functional items and works of art.
The initiative will include mini-lessons focused on sustainability and the circular economy, helping peers better understand waste reduction and responsible consumption.
Cultural Council celebrates 2026 Muse Award winners
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County held its annual “An A-Muse-ing Evening” March 5 at the newly opened The Hangar at Palm Beach International Airport, with guests walking the red carpet in stage-inspired attire.
The awards ceremony began with the announcement of the 2026 Artist Innovation Fellowship recipients: Sonya Sanchez Arias, George Bayer, Virginia Blische, Michelle Drummond, Jill Hotchkiss, Quinn Miller, Ashley Osorio, Quimetta Perle, Elizabeth Price and Elizabeth Straight.
The professional artists each received $10,000 to pursue innovation in existing or new avenues of creative expression.
The 2026 Muse Award winners:
• The Boca Raton resort received the Outstanding Corporate Support Award.
• Florida Weekly received the Outstanding Cultural Ambassador Award.
• The Peach art collective received the Cultural Impact Award.
• Donald M. Ephraim received the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Lifetime Achievement Award.
Vertical Bridge is investing in the Delray Beach library (l-r): Alex Gellman, company executive chairman; Mykal Banta, library executive director; and Ron Bizick, company president and CEO. Photo provided
Vertical Bridge to expand library tech programs
The Delray Beach Public Library has announced a partnership with Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in the United States. The company has established its new headquarters at Sundy Village in Delray Beach.
The investment from the telecom giant will strengthen some of the library’s programs, including the renovation of its STEM Lab to an enhanced STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math) learning program.
The contribution also supports expansion of technology materials, tools and software; enhancements to the Lynda Hunter and Virginia Kimmel Children’s Library offerings; and other efforts that bring books and digital access directly into Delray neighborhoods.
The 185 employees of Vertical Bridge’s headquarters will have the opportunity to serve as library ambassadors/volunteers.
“For us, connection is more than the infrastructure we build, it is a commitment to supporting organizations that uplift, empower and open doors for the people they serve,” said Kimberlee Mulhare, vice president of human resources at Vertical Bridge. “As we become part of the Delray Beach community, we are truly honored to partner with an organization making such a meaningful and lasting impact.”
HomeSafe announces appointments to board
HomeSafe has announced the appointment of Ken Rosenberg to its board of directors and the return of Ward Kellogg, who served on the board for two decades from 2000 through 2020. Their leadership will strengthen the organization’s commitment to protecting victims of child abuse and domestic violence across South Florida.
Kellogg, of Boca Raton, is the founding chairman and chief executive officer of Paradise Bank and brings more than four decades of banking leadership to the board. He served as board president from 2004 to 2006, and helped introduce HomeSafe’s signature fundraising event, The Classic Rock & Roll Party, which will mark its 24th year in 2027.
“HomeSafe has been close to my heart for many years, and I’m incredibly proud to return to the board and continue supporting the organization’s important work,” said Kellogg. “The impact HomeSafe has on children and families in our community is truly remarkable, and I look forward to helping advance its continued growth and mission.”
Rosenberg, a retired textile executive, served as vice president of the Textile Distribution Association, and has held board leadership roles at The Falls Club. He and his wife, Maggie, are longtime supporters of HomeSafe and made a $500,000 gift to HomeSafe’s Healing the Hurt Campaign. The Community Room at the organization’s Boca Raton campus is named in their honor. They were recognized with the 2025 HomeSafe Hero Award.
“I believe we can make a difference, and there is nothing more rewarding than giving children in unfortunate situations, through no fault of their own, a chance at positive and meaningful life experiences,” Rosenberg said.
Send news, photos and notes to Lou Ann Frala at philanthropy@thecoastalstar.com.
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