2014 Fall Newsletter

Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

P T- A -FAMI LY ADO he Palm Beaches, I of t

FALL 2014

nc.

Celebrating

30

Years

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lynda M. Murphy, Esq. President Michael St. Jacques, II, Esq. First Vice President Penny Heller Second Vice President John C. Castronuovo Secretary Garth E. Rosenkrance Treasurer

30th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration This year marks a historic occasion - it is the 30th anniversary of Adopt-A-Family’s Tree Lighting celebration! Long time supporters Didi Smith and Beth Hennessy serve as our committee co-chairs for this special event while Ruth and Ed Hennessey serve as Grand Benefactors.

Richard P. Ribek Chris Oberlink Members-At-Large Matthew Constantine, LCSW Chief Executive Officer Cristina Araujo Sean P. Bresnan Heather B. Ferguson Mari Frankel Nancy Golder James E. Larschan James Llende Deana M. Love John P. Marasco Jay R. Marcus Karen Johnson-Young

Adopt-A-Family is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1983.

Our mission is to strengthen families with children in their efforts to achieve stability and self-sufficiency by providing access to all-encompassing services.

Auction Room

The highly anticipated event is set for December 2, 2014 at the esteemed Sailfish Club of Florida in Palm Beach, and features a gourmet holiday dinner and a fantastic live auction conducted by Tim Luke, a featured appraiser on HGTV’s show “Cash in the Attic” and the former Director of Collectibles at Christie’s Auction House in New York City.

The Tree Lighting also features what is often described as the most beautiful silent auction on the island with one of the area’s largest selections of live orchids, holiday décor, and an array of themed gift baskets. The highlight of the evening will be the lighting of the Angel Tree. This extraordinary tree is decorated with holiday angels representing the generous supporters who have helped our families over the past year. Tickets for the event are $300.00.

Featured Tree Lighting live auction items include the following: 1. Handcrafted “Christmas Cheer Sleigh” with lavish holiday décor 2. F PL Box Suite for 20 to Fleetwood Mac Concert at the BB&T Center (December 19) 3. Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Fallon tickets with airfare to New York City

4. Private dinner and entertainment for ten with chef Carrie Hanna 5. Escape to Little Palm Island Resort and Spa in the Florida Keys and a gift certificate with transportation and a special welcoming 6. Round of golf with professional golfer Wayne Player for 3

The Tree Lighting committee members who serve as sub-committee chairmen this year are Carolyn Haggerty, Nancy Kalaher, and Arlinda Marrano (centerpieces); Alice Tarone (chairman), Karen Fischer (co-chair), Barbara Thomas (co-chair), and Debby Parr (co-chair) (Orchids); Penny Heller and Jen Dudnyk (Silent Auction Chairmen); and Holly Maisto (Live Auction Chairman).

The additional dedicated and talented members serving on this year’s committee include: Patricia Anathan, Judy Backstrom, Trudy Brekus, Lori Corrigan, Herme de Wyman Miro, April Finch, Jari Ford, Mari Frankel, Julie Gambale, Dona Gibbs, Sherry Hay, Ann Jaeder, Carol Jeney, Lisa Keiser, London Litchfield, Brenda McGarrity, Marietta McNulty, Paula Michel, Carol Nolan, Chris Oberlink, Kathy Peterson, Dr. Annette Rickel, Adele Siegel, Nancy Siegel, Anita Tauber, and Anne Torline.

Ms. Smith and Ms. Hennessy, as well as the board of directors and staff of Adopt-A-Family, are grateful to all the Didi & Beth committee members who are dedicated to making this fundraiser a continued success. We also greatly appreciate the support of the many vendors who have contributed items for the auctions.

To participate in this beautiful holiday event on its Pearl Anniversary (30th year), please contact Special Events Coordinator Layren Espinosa (561) 253-1361 ext. 112 or email at lespinosa@adoptafamilypbc.org.

Client Spotlight

Ninfa is a native of Colombia and has been employed for 5 years with the Palm Beach County Health Care District as an enrollment specialist. In February of 2010, while pregnant with her second child, Ninfa and her daughter, Isabella, entered the Service Enriched Housing program after multiple family challenges put them at risk of becoming homeless. Ninfa dreamed of one day providing a better life for her children by owning a home. During the four years she was in the program, she diligently managed her money so she could reduce her debt, address credit obstacles, and save for her down payment and closing costs. To accomplish this goal, she limited her expenses to essentials and prioritized increasing her savings. Ninfa’s hard work and perseverance paid off this spring when she was able to close on her house, a 3/2 townhome in West Palm Beach. Congratulations to Ninfa, Isabella, and Gabriel!

Project Grow’s Playground Transformation

Adopt-A-Family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Tom and Mari Frankel for their vision and dedication to the betterment of Project Grow’s green space and playground. Thanks in large part to their leadership, guidance, and support, our playground has been

transformed from trampled sod to a beautiful, clean, multi-use space. The project broke ground this summer and the playground is now fitted with durable and aesthetic artificial turf and a brandnew basketball court. More importantly, this space is a safe place

BEFORE

that our children can enjoy each afternoon.

In January, we will be honoring the Frankels and the incredible donors who so generously contributed to make this a reality.

AFTER

SUPPORTERS OF PROJECT GROW’S PLAYGROUND PROJECT

CORNER

IMPACT

Nellie Benoit, Sean Bresnan, Liza Pulitzer Calhoun, Mary & John Castronuovo, Kim & Ray Celedinas, Chapman Foundation, Lillian Fernandez, Leah & Ed Frankel, Liz Frankel, Mari & Tommy Frankel, Suzanne & David Frisbie, Carol McCracken, Ellen & Allan Meyerson, Lauren & Clement Mimun, Iris Hedley & Friends, Monika & John Preston, and Crista Ryan

42,572 families

have been served through Adopt-A-Family programs since 1983. That’s greater than the population of the city of Lake Worth, which had 34,910 residents as of the 2010 census.

6,000 calls

In the last year, Adopt-A-Family received more than through the Homeless Resource Center which works with families that are homeless or imminently at risk of becoming homeless.

Project Grow has scored a 4.4

For 5 consecutive years or higher on a 5-point scale for Palm Beach County’s Quality Standards for afterschool programming. This represents a perfect score for “Safe Environment” and near perfect scores on “Supportive Environment,” “Interaction,” and “Engagement” measures. The average score for the past 5 years has been 4.65.

This year

98% of Project Grow students were promoted to the next grade level.

3rd Annual Physicians Talent Showcase The 3rd annual Physicians Talent Showcase raised over $27,000 for Adopt-A-Family’s Project Grow program.

Adopt-A-Family’s staff and Board of Directors would like to extend an extra special thanks to Kathi Kretzer, President of the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation, the generous sponsors, and the talented physicians who made this evening a success.

The event not only raised money for Project Grow, but it also provided the opportunity for a former Project Grow student to share his story of progressing from homelessness to being enrolled in college to study medicine (which was met with roaring applause from the crowd!). The sold-out event was a tremendous success. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and are counting the days until another amazing event next year!

Holiday Shopping while Supporting Adopt-A-Family!

On Tuesday, November 4, Mildred Hoit will donate ten percent of the day’s sales to our agency. The boutique is known for their wide range of fashion and designer products including sportswear, jewelry, handbags, and home furnishings. Start your holiday shopping here, take advantage of the store’s famous gift-wrapping services, and help support the programs and services of Adopt-A-Family.

Mildred Hoit is located at 265 Sunrise Ave. in Palm Beach. For more store information, visit their website at mildredhoit.com or call (561) 833-6010.

To learn more about the event, please contact Adopt-A-Family’s Special Events Coordinator Layren Espinosa at (561) 253-1361 x112 or email lespinosa@adoptafamilypbc.org.

Thank You, AmeriCorps For the last 13 years, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County has played an integral role in the success of Adopt-A-Family’s Project Grow program. With their assistance, Project Grow students are further positioned for growth in an educational setting through Jasmine Thomas, Daron Morse & Bethany Robbins individual literacy-based tutoring. This year we welcome two new AmeriCorps Literacy Coalition members, Jasmine Thomas and Bethany Robbins.

Jasmine and Bethany will work closely with Daron Morse, Project Grow Program Manager and former Literacy Coalition member.

We are grateful to have an incredible relationship with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, and are looking forward to a great year!

We would also like to send our congratulations to AmeriCorps who celebrated their 20th anniversary of the program this September at the national level. Bethany and Jasmine, and the entire AmeriCorps Program, we thank you for your service and wish you well for another 20 years!

Holiday Adopters Needed

Farm-to-Table Al Fresco Dinner

Do you want to make a difference this holiday season? We are looking for Holiday Adopters to help provide a meaningful holiday experience for families in need. There are several ways you can help. You can purchase gifts directly for the families or you can donate to AAF and we will take care of gift purchases.

Adopt-A-Family is the beneficiary of one of the season’s most coveted foodie events, Swank Table. This event will be taking place at Swank Specialty Produce Farms in Loxahatchee Groves on December 7, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 pm.

The event will feature Clayton Miller, the Culinary Director of Miami’s 50 Eggs Inc., local microbrewer, Tequesta Brewing Company, and Richard Paladino, advanced sommelier at the Virginia Philip Wine Shop and Academy.

Whether you choose to meet the family and personally deliver the gifts, or have Adopt-A-Family do it for you, know that your donation will make a world of difference. For both options, we recommend spending $75.00-$100.00 per person in the family. Please contact us for details on how to help.

SIGN UP TO HELP TODAY! Go to www.adoptafamilypbc.org and look under the special events tab.

Questions? Please call Kim Pyle at (561) 253-1361 x106 or email her at kpyle@adoptafamilypbc.org

Tickets are $155.00 per adult with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Adopt-A-Family’s ongoing efforts to restore families in crisis to stability and self-sufficiency.

For additional information contact Special Events Coordinator Layren Espinosa at (561) 253-1361 x112 or email lespinosa@adoptafamilypbc.org.

To purchase tickets and learn about other Swank Table events go to www.swankspecialtyproduce.com

P T- A -FAMI LY ADO he Palm Beaches, I of t

nc.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage

Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc. 1712 Second Avenue North Lake Worth, FL 33460-3210 Phone: (561) 253-1361 www.adoptafamilypbc.org Twitter @aafpbc

PAID

West Palm Bch., FL Permit No. 529

Facebook /AAFPBC

Please remember Adopt-A-Family in your will.

PLEASE

HELP OUR FAMILIES

YES!

Who We Help • Homeless families • Income-challenged, working families at risk of becoming homeless • Children ages Kindergarten-5th grade in need of quality after-school activities

I would like to make a difference in the lives of homeless families and their children by contributing the following:

❏ $25 ❏ $50 ❏ $100 ❏ $500 ❏ Donor’s Choice $ ______________ Make your tax-deductible contribution to Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches Please mail to: 1712 Second Avenue North Lake Worth, FL 33460 Give online at www.adoptafamilypbc.org Name (please print): ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________

❏ Check Enclosed ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard ❏ AmEx ___________________________________ Account Number

City: __________________________________________________________________

Exp. Date: _________________________

Phone: _____________________

___________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________

Signature

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH2076