Participants in one of the 2025 Witches of Delray events included (l-r) Kachi Montalvo, Megan Hanley, Tori Ross, Lauren Kennedy, Leslie Murrell and Rachel Cooke. Photo provided by Debra Somerville
The 15th annual BETR Project’s Witches of Delray benefiting Achievement Centers for Children & Families is planning a fun-filled October to support local residents.
First is the second annual Witches Night Out, from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Good Night John Boy. Hosted by Oceans for Kids Foundation, the event will offer small bites, tacos from Talkin’ Tacos and special guests from Delray Beach Ghost Tours. Tickets are $75 through Sept. 13, $95 after.
Then, on Oct. 7, Tim Finnegans Irish Pub hosts Witches Trivia Night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; costumes are encouraged for this free event.
On Oct. 16 at Tim Finnegans, the 12th annual Witches Brew is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 through Oct. 2, $75 after.
The 15th annual Witches of Delray Bike Ride is Oct. 24 along with costume contests, decorated bikes and team themes. Tickets are $75 through Oct. 2, $100 after. Registration is at 7 a.m. at City Hall with the ride at 8 and post-ride festivities at 9 at Old School Square.
For sponsorship or other information, contact Gina Griffin at 954-232-3806 or GGriffin@DelrayChild.org.
“Fifteen years in, the Witches Ride is more than just a tradition — it's a celebration of community and creativity,” said Stephanie Seibel, CEO of the Achievement Centers. “What began as a fun, whimsical event has grown into powerful support for the families we serve. Each year, we’re blown away by the enthusiasm and generosity that fills the streets.
“It’s a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when people come together for a cause that truly matters. We remain deeply grateful to the founders whose vision 15 years ago made this tradition possible.”
Children, caregivers attend Summer Foster Family Bash
Speak Up for Kids drew nearly 100 children and caregivers to the fifth annual Velocity Summer Foster Family Bash on July 22 at Drive Shack in West Palm Beach.
Velocity Community Credit Union sponsored the celebration for the fifth year, providing an afternoon of relaxation for foster and relative caregiver families. Volunteers helped the children learn golf, while families were treated to lunch, a photo booth, toys, gift cards and more.
“There is a desperate need for more foster parents in Palm Beach County, but no family should ever feel they must take this journey alone,” said Coleen LaCosta, executive director of Speak Up for Kids.
A student-led initiative from the Speak Up chapter at Spanish River High School became part of the Summer Bash, as a special check presentation brought $5,000 to provide bicycle helmets for foster children. The donation came from the Delray Medical Center Hospital Board.
New wildlife exhibit at Children’s Museum
Community leaders, elected officials, donors and longtime supporters gathered July 29 at Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Mangrove Manor. It is the newest permanent exhibit and a milestone in the museum’s history as one of the county’s premier destinations for early childhood learning.
Mangrove Manor, made possible by a grant from Impact 100 Palm Beach County, allows children to climb, crawl, slide and explore an environment featuring native Florida wildlife — including an oversized alligator — while building confidence, problem-solving skills and connections through imaginative play.
The celebration included representatives from Impact 100 Palm Beach County, the city of Boynton Beach, including Commissioner Aimee Kelley and Vice Mayor Thomas Turkin, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, and nonprofit leaders, educators, board members and community advocates from throughout the county.
“Mangrove Manor represents so much more than a new exhibit,” said Miriam Naranjo, executive director of Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. “It reflects what’s possible when a community comes together to invest in its children.”
YMCA gets donation for Parkinson’s programs
The YMCA of South Palm Beach County was awarded $14,000 by the Parkinson’s Foundation to support disease management programs — including Surf & Turf, Parkinson’s Cycle and Parkinson’s Dance — which help improve strength, balance, flexibility, mobility and overall quality of life.
The money will help sustain eight hours of vital programming each week across the Y’s two locations, in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach.
In all, the Parkinson’s Foundation announced recipients of more than $1 million in grants for community programs across the nation designed to help people live better with Parkinson’s disease by providing support for health, wellness and educational needs.
New CEO, board chief at YWCA Palm Beach County
YWCA Palm Beach County has appointed Mary Hart as chief executive officer and Tessie Watts as president of the board of directors.
Hart brings extensive leadership experience to the CEO role. Before founding Hart Core Solutions, which helps nonprofits and small businesses pursue growth opportunities, she was executive director of Dress for Success Palm Beaches and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.
Watts, a Riviera Beach native, is founder and CEO of The Leadership Haven Resource Center, a consulting firm specializing in leadership development, board governance and organizational strategy.
Current board members are Kimberly Cruz, Vanessa Moss, Cassandra Oliver, Alcolya St. Juste, Karen Stephenson and Trixy Walker. Incoming members are Denise Albritton, Yolanda Cope, Tonya Davis-Johnson, Dena Sisk Foman, Amanda Joiner, Orie McIntosh, Al’Licia Pittman and Ann Marie Sorrell.
BHH names winners of Corporate Challenge
Fourteen local companies joined with Boca Helping Hands in hosting a workplace food drive to help stock pantry shelves with nonperishable food.
Those that collected the most food by weight within their category earned the boxing-style champion’s belt. The three categories were based on employee count.
A total of 22,195 pounds of food was donated in the Corporate Challenge. That is equivalent to 18,495.83 meals, or a total value of $51,270.45 on average.
The bantamweight champion (50 employees or fewer) was SouthState Bank, coming in with 966 pounds; middleweight champion (51-100 employees) was Woolbright Development with 1,073 pounds; and the heavyweight champion (more than 100 employees) was ADMA Biologics with 16,418 pounds.
“Over the summer, demand for food stays the same, while food donations decline significantly because many people are on vacation and the snowbirds go back up north for the season,” said Andrew Hagen, CEO of Boca Helping Hands. “That’s what made the Corporate Challenge so important. It enabled Boca Helping Hands to provide food to people in need in our community while bringing local businesses together in a friendly competition in support of a great cause.”
5K run to fight hunger set at Okeeheelee Park
Feeding South Florida’s annual Outrun Hunger 5K will be held on Sept. 19 at Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Check-in opens at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K begins at 7:30. After the race, an awards ceremony and a raffle will take place. To register, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/fy27outrunhunger5kpbc.
Every registration will help provide 120 meals for individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurity.
Open mic event to raise money for culinary arts
The Community Classroom Project will host JP’s Jam, an annual fundraiser in memory of John Paul Kline, a beloved chef, artist and founder of the former 3rd & 3rd. The open mic event from 7 to 11 p.m. on Sept. 25 is for patrons 21 and up at The Hub at Space of Mind, 101 NW First Ave., Delray Beach.
Money raised will be for the JP Kline Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund, which supports local chefs and creatives. There will be light bites prepared by the Community Classroom Kitchen and drinks sponsored by Dominick Peri of Prosperity Brewers. The SoulStreamz Open Mic will host the entertainment, which will include musicians, poetry, games and audience interactions. Kline, who died in 2016, was a huge lover of art, music and spontaneous creativity. All members of the community are invited to perform.
“JP was a close friend, having supported the early culinary initiatives at Space of Mind, and he had an indelible impact on Delray when he founded 3rd & 3rd and gave the local music scene a home,” said Ali Kaufman, founder of Space of Mind and Community Classroom Project. “His spirit and mission live on through his scholarship fund, the friends and family who miss him dearly and the students who have benefited. We are honored to support this cause and keep his memory alive by raising a new generation of culinary artists — and giving all creatives a place to thrive.”
Tickets are $50 at JPKline.givesmart.com or text JPKline to 7627.
Karaoke competition to help CROS tackle hunger
Shower singers and seasoned performers alike, take note. The Wednesday Night Mic Karaoke Competition, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Delray Elks Lodge, 265 NE Fourth Ave., will raise vital money for CROS Ministries’ programs that fight hunger in the area.
Sponsored by the Amy & Noreen Team, Lang Realty, the event is part of Do Good Delray, which aims to increase collaboration between for-profit and nonprofit members of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets are $20 and include pizza, soft drink and a raffle ticket. Alcoholic beverages and additional raffle tickets for baskets will be for sale.
For more information, visit crosministries.org/events.
Goo Goo Dolls headline children’s hospital gala
Goo Goo Dolls have been announced as the headliner for the Red Gala benefiting Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale.
Chaired by Deana and Andrew Koenig, the annual event supports lifesaving pediatric care and will feature patient stories, silent and live auctions, a performance by the multiplatinum-selling band and more. Last year’s gala raised more than $3 million.
Walk of Recognition nominations open
The Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum are inviting the community to nominate notable citizens to be considered for the Walk of Recognition. This year’s celebration will mark three decades of honoring individuals whose leadership and generosity have shaped Boca Raton.
“When I started the Walk of Recognition in 1997, I saw a community full of people quietly doing extraordinary things — for their neighbors, for local schools, for people who needed help — and no one was stopping to say thank you,” said Marta Batmasian, founder of the Walk of Recognition. “I wanted Boca Raton to have a place where those contributions could be remembered, not just for a moment, but for good. Thirty years later, I’m prouder than ever of everyone we’ve been able to honor.”
The program has honored people across education, healthcare, civic service, arts and culture, business and philanthropy, with each honoree receiving an engraved granite star in Mizner Plaza at Royal Palm Place.
Nominations close on Sept. 15 and can be made online at bocahistory.org/walk-of-recognition-2026/.
The Walk of Recognition is from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. Tickets are $125 via BocaHistory.org or by calling 561-395-6766, ext. 100.
Junior League’s Volunteer of the Year Luncheon set
The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 39th annual Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon is coming at 10 a.m. Nov. 5 at The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real. JLBR President Melody Cobbe has announced Tandy Robinson as honorary chair and Linda Paton and Victoria Matthews as event co-chairs. Guests are invited to wear white.
The luncheon honors those nominated by nonprofits throughout Palm Beach County and northern Broward County for notable dedication as volunteers in service of the organizations they serve. Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Boca Raton.
Assistant chairs are Nancy Walsh, Joni Goldberg, Carla Thrower, Stephanie Newell and Alex Welsh.
Sponsorships, tables, and tickets can be purchased directly at wvoy26.givesmart.com/ or call 561-620-2553.
Send news, photos and notes to Lou Ann Frala at philanthropy@thecoastalstar.com.
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