By Amy Woods
Shannon Eadon unanimously was elected by the board of Old School Square in October as the center’s president and CEO. She fills a vacancy left by Rob Steele, who resigned in May 2018.
Eadon hails from New Jersey, where she led a nonprofit theater in Englewood.
“I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “The staff at Old School Square have poured their hearts into this center, and I’m excited to foster their growing creativity.”
Board Chairwoman Elise Johnson said, “Eadon has a thorough understanding of the needs of our community, our visitors and our staff. I have no doubt that she is the right person to take the helm at Old School Square and lead us into a new decade as the community’s cultural center.”
New executive director at children’s foundation
Boca West Children’s Foundation has appointed longtime Boca Raton resident and community leader Pamela Weinroth as executive director.
Weinroth will oversee collaborations with the 25 local organizations the foundation supports in addition to fundraising projects.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pam as our executive director,” Chairman Arthur Adler said. “This is the perfect person at the perfect time to help us continue our mission to aid children at risk in our area.”
For information, call 561-488-6980 or visit www.bocawestfoundation.org.
Pugh to lead philanthropy at Community Foundation
Vicki Pugh recently was named vice president of philanthropic giving at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Pugh, who previously served as vice president for development at Palm Beach Atlantic University, will be in charge of connecting donors to philanthropic causes and facilitating legacy and planned gifts. She also will work with staff members to advance the foundation’s giving program.
“Vicki brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to her new role,” President and CEO Bradley Hurlburt said.
“Her passion and expertise align wonderfully with our mission to advance the well-being of our communities. We look forward to the strategic direction she will provide in supporting our charitable giving efforts.”
For information, call 561-659-6800 or visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org.
Community Caring Center names directors
The Community Caring Center of Palm Beach County has named its 2019-20 board of directors: Doreen Robinson, president; Nancy Flinn, vice president; Joyce Portnoy, secretary; and Patricia Saunders, treasurer.
New board members are the Rev. Joseph Dawkins and Steve English, who join returning board members Everlene Baker, Larry Dilijohn, John McGovern and Arturo Witman.
“These are exciting times for the Community Caring Center of Palm Beach County, and I look forward to working with our new officers and the entire board to build a stronger organization while we remain focused on feeding and serving families in need,” Executive Director Sherry Robinson said.
For information, call 561-364-9501 or visit www.cccpbc.org.
Public-private partnership forged for mentorship
Boca Raton-based Office Depot has launched a community-investment program called the Mentorship Movement, through which hundreds of at-risk youths are paired with adult mentors.
The program — in partnership with the United Way of Palm Beach County — involves Office Depot associates who guide, inspire and support young clients of the following nonprofits: Compass, Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Milagro Center, Path to College Fellowship and Take Stock in Children.
To kick off the program, the company presented a $30,000 check to the United Way of Palm Beach County to support the Mentorship Movement and other mentoring initiatives. The organization funds and oversees 24 such initiatives.
For information, call 561-375-6600 or visit https://unitedwaypbc.org.
In other Office Depot news, the company is providing volunteer mentors to students in Boca Helping Hands’ free job-training program.
The program prepares and certifies students for careers in health care, hospitality, technology and transportation. Mentors will work with students pursuing technology careers, providing insight into the field and ensuring the youths stay motivated.
“Office Depot is the first company to offer a corporate mentoring experience to our clients,” Boca Helping Hands Executive Director Greg Hazle said. “We need more of our corporate partners to consider adopting and mentoring students in our job-training programs.”
For information, call 561-417-0913, ext. 203 or visit www.bocahelpinghands.org.
NCCI’s campaign raises $230,000 for United Way
The National Council on Compensation Insurance wrapped up its annual campaign with the United Way of Palm Beach County, raising more than $230,000 for the agency and donating 1,000 hygiene bags to Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches and HomeSafe.
The campaign theme, “Hope Through Homes,” was selected to support the fight against housing insecurity in the community. Boca Raton-based NCCI worked with the United Way to make resources available to people struggling to obtain access to housing.
“No one should ever have to wonder where they will sleep at night,” said Allen Boyd II, NCCI’s campaign chairman. “Our team is proud to know that the money raised and supplies donated during our ‘Hope Through Homes’ campaign will make a positive impact on the lives of Palm Beach County’s citizens in need.”
Battle of Bands helps students prepare for jobs
The second season of the Golden Bell Education Foundation’s Battle of the Bands was all the rage this year as South County business leaders traded in their suits and ties for guitars and microphones to compete in front of 800 screaming fans.
The five amateur bands were Federal Highway, Game of Tones, Mechanical Solidarity (the winner), Rock Lobsters and The Stilettos. The battle kicked off with the winning band from last year, 180 Proof. Nearly $100,000 was raised for the Boca Chamber initiative, which funds programs promoting workforce readiness among students.
“The competing amateur bands worked hard all summer long to put on a memorable and entertaining performance, and it showed,” said Mariana Griswold, the chamber’s marketing and communications coordinator. “We are all so proud of their performances and the astounding amount of support we received from the community.”
Grant to fund upgrade for nature playscape in Delray
Achievement Centers for Children & Families recently received a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties for the restoration of its nature playscape at the Nancy K. Hurd campus in Delray Beach.
The money will help turn the existing playground into one in which 125 preschoolers and their families can learn about the connection between nature and healthy living as well as the importance of environmental stewardship.
“Our children are beyond excited,” CEO Stephanie Seibel said. “They had input in designing the space by sharing their favorite outdoor activities, and we look forward to collaborating in offering new outdoor programming.”
For information, call 561-266-0003 or visit www.achievementcentersfl.org.
Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.
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