Vehicles lined up to enter Spanish River Park in Boca Raton to welcome the 14th Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities, the largest event of its kind for children and adults with special needs.
After a pandemic-induced absence from Spanish River Park, the bash’s return there was greeted warmly by thousands of returning families, vendors, partners, boat captains, costumed characters, performers and volunteers.
“This bash was never just for Jay or for me; it was and continues to be for everyone,” said Lowell Van Vechten, whose late husband, Jay, founded the daylong affair. “It’s an event about acceptance and inclusion and love.”
Presented by the American Disabilities Foundation, the March bash welcomed back Kechi Okwuchi, an African-American singer, motivational speaker and now author, as well as Kellye Cash, who served as the honorary mistress of ceremonies.
For more information, call 561-715-2622 or visit www.boatingbeachbash.com.
Impact 100 members select grant recipients
Members and guests of Impact 100 Palm Beach County gathered for the 12th annual Grand Awards Celebration chaired by Sarah Doyle and Renee Feder.
Eight $100,000 grants were awarded after the nonprofit finalists gave presentations and votes were counted.
“This also takes our chapter’s cumulative giving to over $6 million, including almost $500,000 in merit grant awards,” President Kelly Fleming said. “We have much to celebrate.”
The 2022-23 recipients are:
• 4KIDS Palm Beach
• Arms of Hope Community
• Digital Vibez
• Habilitation Center for the Handicapped
• Interfaith Committee for Social Services
• Morningday Community Solutions
• PROPEL
• Tomorrow’s Rainbow
“Together we empower local nonprofits to make changes that will strengthen every corner of our community and touch countless lives for generations to come,” Fleming said.
For more information, call 561-336-4623 or visit www.impact100pbc.org
Diaper Bank receives record-setting donations
The Boca West Children’s Foundation collected more than 250,000 diapers during its eighth annual drive for the Diaper Bank, part of the Junior League of Boca Raton.
The total set a record. By comparison, 180,000 diapers were donated in 2022, an increase over 2021’s 100,000 diapers.
“The diaper drive was an absolute triumph,” said Pamela Weinroth, the foundation’s executive director. “Our tall task was even more challenging because the price of diapers has soared since last year, and yet diapers continue to pour in.”
The Diaper Bank distributed the donations to nonprofits that care for infants and toddlers. The foundation has supported the Diaper Bank since 2016.
“In order for parents to work, they need to provide enough diapers each day in order for their children to attend day-care,” said Richard Zenker, the foundation’s board chairman. “Not only does the diaper drive help keep children healthy, it helps keep our economy going by making it easier for parents to work.”
For more information, call 561-488-6980 or visit www.bocawestfoundation.org.
Familiar faces return to Hanley Foundation
A former Hanley Foundation CEO who served from 2010 to 2014 took the helm again in March. Rachel Docekal oversees board and donor relations while creating strategies to support programs and initiatives that help people battling addictions.
“Rachel brings a rare combination of business sense, creativity and the vision of seeing beyond the present to the possible,” said Chip James, board chairman. “She will determine where Hanley Foundation needs to be and how to get there to help us achieve our goals.”
Jan Cairnes, the previous CEO, is taking on a new role as national director of public policy. Cairnes will expand upon advocacy work nationwide, focusing on combating the stigma around substance abuse.
For more information, call 561-268-2355 or visit www.hanleyfoundation.org.
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