By Amy Woods
Delray Beach’s Old School Square will be the site of Picnic in the Park, an Oct. 20 fundraiser where businesses, clubs, families, friends and organizations can each throw a picnic on a 12-by-12-foot square.
Making its debut, Picnic in the Park will run from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and raise money to feed homeless children.
For $250 apiece, groups get a designated spot on the Old School Square lawn and are encouraged to choose an international theme, create cuisine that matches the theme and then wear costumes keeping with the theme.
Groups can bring tables, chairs, blankets and tents, as well as decorations and even musical instruments to accent the fun.
“The picnic is an America classic where people get together and have fun,” said Maura Plante, founder of Living Hungry, which has partnered with the Delray Beach Homeless Task Force on the event. “It’s all about having a fun afternoon and raising money for a good cause.”
For more information, call 573-5092 or visit www.livinghungry.org.
Nonagenarian to be honored for his service
A 91-year-old man is helping alcoholics and drug addicts into recovery in Delray Beach.
For such efforts, Tony Allerton, executive director of The Crossroads Club — a nonprofit founded in 1982 — will be honored at Crossroads’ inaugural Gratitude Luncheon at noon Nov. 7 at the Seagate Country Club in Delray Beach.
“We are so pleased to honor Tony Allerton for his 60 years of service to our community,” said Delray Beach Deputy Vice Mayor Bill Bathurst, co-chairman of the event. “Through his compassion and experiences, he has touched the lives of countless individuals and serves as an inspiration to all who meet him.”
Every day, Allerton, who has been sober longer than most of his clients have been alive, helps those he sponsors overcome addiction. In 2006, he spearheaded renovations at an old city-storage building to create The Crossroads Club’s current home, which offers more than 150 meetings a week.
Tickets for the luncheon are $175 and can be purchased at www.thecrossroadsclub.com or by calling 278-8004, ext. 106.
Food delivery to needy cut due to loss of aging truck
Boca Helping Hands has raised nearly $35,000 from the community, and an anonymous donor has committed to match the next $25,000 that comes in, but even if that is generated, another $65,000 will still be needed to replace a large truck used to deliver food to needy people.
The 25-year-old truck regularly picked up items at Feeding South Florida and had the capacity to carry 10 pallets of food. Some of that food was delivered to elementary schools in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach for children to take home in donated backpacks so they had meals for the weekend. The truck also brought pantry bags to a satellite location that distributed them directly to families.
“With the loss of this truck, we’re having to use multiple vehicles to fill these needs, resulting in double the fuel and paid drivers,” said Greg Hazle, the organization’s executive director, noting that the Thanksgiving Box Brigade program might be in jeopardy if the vehicle is not replaced in time. “We are asking for the community’s help to replace this truck.”
For more information, contact Karen Swedenborg, development manager, at 417-0913, Ext. 202 or karen@bocahelpinghands.org.
Community Foundation welcomes three to board
Michael Bracci, Beth Neuhoff and Jeffrey Stoops have been elected to serve on the board of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Bracci, president of Northern Trust’s Palm Beach and Treasure Coast regions, leads all aspects of the bank’s wealth-management business in the area. Neuhoff, CEO of Neuhoff Communications, is known for brand-building strategies both locally and nationally. Stoops, CEO of SBA Communications Corporation, oversees nearly 30,000 wireless sites in 13 countries.
“We are pleased to welcome these outstanding business leaders and community representatives to our board,” said Bradley Hurlburt, the foundation’s president and CEO.
Arc program aims for national recognition
The Arc of Palm Beach County has developed a model to improve acceptance for those with disabilities.
Stand Up is a leadership-training program that matches high-performing teens with same-age peers at the nonprofit.
“One of our goals at the Arc is to create positive experiences for the people we serve and open the minds of those who interact with them,” said Kimberly McCarten, the Arc’s president and CEO. “The interactions that happen in this program bridge differences, highlight varied communication styles and establish lasting bonds.”
The Arc adopted Stand Up in 2018. It has been nominated for an award and is on its way to getting implemented on a national level.
Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.
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