By Amy Woods
The Boca West Children’s Foundation far exceeded last year’s tally by collecting more than 52,000 diapers from a record number of donors for the Junior League of Boca Raton’s Diaper Bank.
The annual drive took place Feb. 18.
Clean diapers are as essential as food and shelter for a baby, and access to diapers affects not only the health of children but their parents’ ability to work.
“Our mission is to help local kids in need, and with the cost of diapers being prohibitively high for many families, the Diaper Bank is such an impactful way to help,” said Pamela Weinroth, executive director and chief operating officer of the Boca West foundation.
“With so many people out of work due to the pandemic, the need for diapers is greater than ever,” Christy Stewart-Harfmann, president of the Junior League, said in late March.
To help, email community@jlbr.org.
Nonprofit asks for help in feeding needy residents
Because of consumers’ concerns about coronavirus, Boca Helping Hands has seen a drastic drop in its intake of surplus food from local grocery stores and restaurants.
As a result, the nonprofit that distributes 70,000 pantry bags and serves 55,000 hot meals annually is having to reduce its numbers.
“If anyone has a little extra food at home, or if any local restaurants have a surplus of food as they are forced to cut back on hours and in-dining service, we would very much welcome any sort of food donation,” said Greg Hazle, the organization’s executive director. “We serve a population of vulnerable children and families, and we are in particular need of produce, meat as well as any sort of packaged or canned food.”
MorseLife starts campaign to aid Holocaust survivors
As part of a larger commitment by MorseLife to ensure that no Holocaust survivor in Palm Beach County is left to live without basic services, the organization has launched a campaign via GoFundMe to assist two impoverished survivors during the next five years.
Named Tabor and Ella to protect their privacy, the couple met in a displaced persons camp and have been married for 70 years. They live on a meager monthly income and struggle to make ends meet. MorseLife’s goal is to raise $100,000 through online donations.
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/morselifefoundation-now-for-holocaust
“Our objective is to provide five years of uninterrupted care to these two individuals, which will allow them peace of mind as they live out their daily lives,” said Keith Myers, MorseLife’s president and CEO.
Retired executive tells teens to dress for success
Achievement Centers for Children & Families’ Teen Program welcomed Lori Haram, former Estée Lauder Cos. senior vice president of business affairs and operations, to a special workshop titled “Dress for Success.”
The teens learned about first impressions, personal grooming and professional wear, and the workshop ended with a bonus question-and-answer session on etiquette.
“I felt like there was more to retirement than playing golf,” said Haram, a Boca Raton resident. “I’m so glad to have done it, and I really hope the kids got something out of it.”
Bound for College program expands in South County
A high school diploma often is not enough for students to build rewarding careers. Unfortunately for many youths, lack of academic and emotional support at home coupled with challenging financial times prevents them from obtaining a higher education.
Bound for College offers academic, emotional and financial resources for teens from underserved communities to help them reach their full potential. When founded, the program served two schools: Village Academy Center and Atlantic Community High School, both in Delray Beach. Now it also serves Boca Raton and Boynton Beach community high schools.
"To see the direct impact that Bound for College’s ACT/SAT tutoring has on our local kids in the form of college-acceptance letters and multiple scholarships is inspiring,” said Craig Menin, who donated $50,000 to the cause.
Boca woman receives international award
Diane Diamantis, co-founder of Dollars 4 Tic Scholars, won an international honor at the .ORG Impact Awards, an event that recognizes the achievements of nonprofits around the world.
Diamantis, of Boca Raton, received the Rising Star Award — a category aimed at professionals with five or less years of experience at his or her organization — for her commitment to encouraging students with Tourette syndrome to attend college.
Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.
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