Christine Lynn and Lois Pope attended the Holly Jolly Symphony Fête. Pope was the principal sponsor. Photo provided
The ninth annual Holly Jolly Symphony Fête luncheon at the Kravis Center raised nearly $500,000 to benefit music education initiatives.
Palm Beach Symphony presented 31 instruments, including 27 brand-new instruments, to students and educators from three Palm Beach County Title I schools that are part of the Paul & Karen Levy Residency Program.
This included the milestone 1,000th instrument to be given since the donation program began in 2016, with the totals now up to 1,022 instruments and 3,500 accessories. During the current season, 124 instruments have been donated.
“Will and I know from our own experience the role music education plays in shaping a child’s life,’” said Mary Demory, who chaired the event with her husband, Will Demory.
“These young musicians experience something truly extraordinary. Whether they are attending their first Masterworks performance or learning directly from our orchestra’s artists, you can see the spark in their eyes.
“When they are handed an instrument, the joy is unforgettable. Learning music doesn’t just create musicians. It also builds discipline, determination and confidence and shapes the next generation of artists and leaders.”
Students and educators from the three recipient schools — Woodlands Middle School, The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach and Plumosa School of the Arts — attended the December event along with nearly 500 guests.
Learn about Palm Beach Symphony’s concerts, events, giving opportunities and more at PalmBeachSymphony.org.
Longtime Kravis supporter receives Dreyfoos award
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ major donors, life trustees and guests honored Kravis supporter George Michel with the Dreyfoos award for his lifetime of service. The former resident of Palm Beach and current resident of Palm Beach Gardens has served on the Kravis board of directors from the beginning more than 30 years ago.
Founding CEO Judy Mitchell said the award, named for the late Kravis founding chairman, Alex Dreyfoos, is given only on special occasions and only to individuals who have demonstrated continued outstanding dedication and service to the Kravis.
“It’s an honor being associated with so many great people who made this organization happen and it goes back more than three decades,” Michel said at the Dec. 17 dinner. “And of course, the guy I miss a lot — Alexander W. Dreyfoos.
“When I was living in Stamford, Connecticut, Alex told me he was going to South Florida to raise $10 million to build a cultural center. I didn’t think much of it, but knew he would do it.”
Levis JCC has openings in special-needs program
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center has a few openings in its Project L.I.F.E. (Learning, Independence, Friendship, Experiences), a weekday program that supports young adults with special needs to help them build life skills.
Part of the JCC’s Helene & Roy Schwedelson Special Needs Department, Project L.I.F.E. serves people ages 18-30+ through a structured, Monday-Friday program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants develop social skills with health, wellness, recreation and volunteer opportunities on and off the west Boca Raton campus.
“At its heart, Project L.I.F.E. is about empowerment, inclusion and possibility,” said Ali Landman, vice president, Special Needs Services. “We’re creating a space where young adults with special needs are not only supported but valued — where they can contribute, learn and thrive as active members of the community.”
Project L.I.F.E. launched in the fall with 13 participants. While the program is private-pay, families may seek reimbursement through Med Waiver. Partial scholarships are also offered. Participants need not be Jewish.
For more information, visit levisjcc.org/specialneeds or call 561-852-3200.
Boynton OKs expansion for Feeding South Florida
The Boynton Beach City Commission unanimously approved a major site plan modification on Dec. 2 that will allow Feeding South Florida — the leading hunger-relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties — to build a 32,000-square-foot warehouse at 4925 Park Ridge Blvd. at the Quantum Corporate Park.
The project is the final phase of Feeding South Florida’s campus expansion and will significantly enhance the organization’s ability to serve people throughout South Florida.
Construction will begin following permitting and pre-construction coordination with city departments.
In other Feeding South Florida news, South Florida Kia dealers, along with the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, JM Family Enterprises and JM&A Group, have donated $400,000 to the organization.
Kia’s “Accelerate the Good” charitable initiative raised $150,000 of the total. JM Family Enterprises and subsidiary company JM&A Group donated $100,000. The remaining $150,000 came from the Heat and Dolphins.
Feeding South Florida President and CEO Paco Vélez received the check on Dec. 16 during a ceremony at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park warehouse.
Send news, photos and notes to Lou Ann Frala at philanthropy@thecoastalstar.com.
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