Chasin A Dream Foundation’s Annual Gala Raises Over $550,000 For Local Children Battling Life-Threatening Illnesses
Chasin A Dream Foundation’s annual gala was an unforgettable evening of generosity and impact, raising over $550,000 to support local children facing lifethreatening illnesses.
Held on March 13, at The Pelican Club in Jupiter, Fla., the golf-themed gala, Fairways Fore Good, highlighted Chasin A Dream’s signature Locals Helping Locals® initiative, creating an inspiring and meaningful night. A standout moment of the evening was the Warrior Runway, a cherished tradition at Chasin A Dream galas, where a dozen “Warriors” take the stage, receiving a well-deserved celebration in front of an audience moved by their strength and resilience. Chasin A Dream Warriors are children in the community with life-threatening conditions, supported by Chasin A Dream’s mission. Samantha Kerrigan of WPEC Channel 12 was the event chair and the emcee for the evening. Other
Marco Hannan, Kayden Jurgens, Sophia Ferreira, Rose Loretta, Brooklyn Gonzalez, Sydney Whitaker, Lori Griffith, Roman Burnette, Luke Veitz, Deneilia Bennett, Sam Kerrigan
notable attendees include Tanya Lorigan and Keith Lorigan, Terra Brown, Barbara and Richard Halpern, Ashley Mock, Brian Pandiscio, Gene Sauers, Dr. Edward Davidson, Judy Borinstein, Brenda Diuro and Missy Weldhorn. Key contributors to the event were Anna Flowers – floral arrangements, Sand & Salt Salon – hair and makeup for Warrior children, Garb – clothing for Warrior Runway, Jupiter Golf Carts – donated a golf cart to the live auction, Alexis Bleiler and Jaxel Media – Gala video, Jupiter Wedding Photo and Tracey Benson – photography for event.
The evening’s live auction, led by auctioneer Neil Saffer, opened with an emotionally charged moment as a painting created by Warrior Deneilia B., who is bravely battling neuroblastoma, was auctioned for $10,000—with every dollar
Marine Community Celebrates Palm Beach International Boat Show’s Expansion At Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony And Kickoff Party
The marine community celebrated the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show’s five-day expansion on Wednesday, March 19, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a kickoff party in downtown West Palm Beach.
The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and Informa Markets, owner and producer, respectively, of the boat show, gathered for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony outside of the show’s Windward VIP Lounge. They were joined by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, Palm Harbor Marina owner Cheryl Chase, and commissioners from the City of West Palm Beach. Later that evening, members of MIAPBC and Informa Markets, and other marine industry executives, enjoyed
Marine Community Celebrates on page 4
The Hidden Crisis: Homeless Service Demands Increase
Despite Drop In Point-In-Time Count
By Cornie Thornburgh, Chair of The Lord’s Place Board of Directors
As Board Chair of The Lord’s Place, a local nonprofit providing programs and services to end homelessness, we serve our most vulnerable neighbors. On any given night there are thousands of men, women, and children – hidden in
the shadows of Palm Beach County’s paradise – who do not have a safe and permanent place to call home. Annually, we participate in the U.S. Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)-mandated Point-in-Time Count (PIT). PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. As reported by The Palm Beach Post, the January
2025 PIT count recently released reflects 1,520 individuals and families in Palm Beach County who are struggling without a place to call home. This reflects a decrease of more than 28 percent, after staggering increases that were reported in 2023 and 2024.
Although the count is a vital tool for resource development and planning, it serves as one measure of Palm Beach County’s progress in decreasing homelessness and success in housing homeless populations. The recent statewide legislation makes it illegal to camp on public property and has led many of those we seek to move into the shadows. This makes it increasingly difficult to get accurate results.
The School District of Palm Beach County uses another tool to count public school students who are experiencing homelessness. According to the school district’s latest count, there are 4,252 students in our county without a place to call home.
The Hidden Crisis on page 5
Chasin A Dream Foundation’s Annual Gala on page 2
Elena Murphy, Martin Murphy
Ribbon cutting with Mayor Keith James (center), Cheryl Chase (middle left), city commissioners, MIAPBC and Informa Markets
Chasin A Dream Foundation’s Annual Gala from page 1
going directly to support her fight. Later, a Jack Nicklaus portrait by acclaimed sports artist Kyle Lucks, personally autographed by the golf legend himself, became one of the night’s most coveted items, helping to drive substantial contributions to the foundation’s mission.
“This event is about more than fundraising – it’s about giving these Warrior children and their families the recognition, support, and community they deserve,” said Lori Griffith, founder of Chasin A Dream, in her emotional speech. “Over 92% of every dollar donated to Chasin A Dream goes directly toward our families, and your donations, sponsorship, and show of support tonight helps us provide vital resources and relief to children facing unimaginable challenges.”
To support Chasin A Dream Foundation, donations can be made through their website at chasinadream.org, and volunteers are always welcomed to join the mission.
Joan Dipastino, Kelly Giordano, Chantal Raynor
Missy Weidhorn, Deneilia Bennett, Lori Griffith
Tracy Ward, Kim Riviecchio, Lisa Bahr
John Hannan, Lori Griffith, Marco Hannan
Ashley Mock, Dawn Parry, Terra Brown Roger and Jaime Estrada
Lori Griffith Tyler Smillie, Sammi Siragusa
Auctioneer Neil Saffer, Artist Kyle Lucks
Patrick Arnold, Jess Logan, Tara and Benji Moser
Chris and Jill Gallagher, Tanya and Keith Lorigan, Michelle and Karl Ruppert
Gene Sauers, Brian Pandiscio, Scott Henley Tyler Smillie, Sammi Siragusa
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Marine Community Celebrates from page 1
a night of food and drinks inside the Windward VIP Lounge for a kickoff celebration. The event featured an introduction to World Boating Day, a global celebration of the boating lifestyle held on May 24. For more information, visit pbboatshow.com.
Photos by Tyler Benson Photography
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Dilan Sarac, Co Hooning, Andrea Tagliaferro
Kathi Doole, Andrew Doole
Martin Murphy, Ray Graziotto, Tamra FitzGerald, Austin Burkett, Mallory Doremus, Doug West
City Commissioners Christina Lambert, Shalonda Warren, Joseph Peduzzi and Christy Fox
Michelle Patino, Antonio Martinez
Ryan Doyle, Allison Doyle
Jeff Freeman, Alyssa Freeman, Judy Visscher, Charlie Visscher
National Anthem singer Aime Pierre
George Gentile, Jamie Gentile Peter Lucia, Phyllis Lucia
Financial Focus®
How To Cope With Market Volatility
By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones
The financial markets always go through periods of instability. And we may see more of that now, given concerns about tariffs, inflation and the economy. As an investor, how can you deal with this volatility?
Some investors try to take advantage of market ups and downs by attempting to follow the age-old advice to “buy low and sell high” – that is, they seek to buy stocks when they feel prices have bottomed out and they sell stocks when they think the market has reached a high point. In theory, this is a great idea, but in practice, it’s essentially impossible, because no one can really predict market highs and lows.
Rather than trying to anticipate highs and lows, your best strategy for coping with the price fluctuations of the financial markets is to diversify your investment portfolio by owning a mix of stocks, bonds and other types of securities. Different types of financial assets can move in different directions at any given time – so, for example, stocks may be up while bonds
And, as observed by The Lord’s Place staff, we are seeing an ever-increasing number of local residents seeking services because they no longer have a secure roof over their heads. Since our fiscal year began July 1, 2024, we have served a total of 1,891 men, women, and children so far – an additional 312 individuals experiencing homelessness compared to the previous year-to-date.
The great news is that the county and community partners, like The Lord’s Place, are working harder than ever to serve our at-risk neighbors. As an example, previous PIT count surveys showed a rise in senior homelessness which led The Lord’s
are down, or vice versa. If you only owned one of these types of assets, and the market for that asset class was down, your portfolio could take a bigger hit than if you owned a variety of asset types.
And you can further diversify within individual asset categories. Stocks can be domestic or international, largecompany or small-company – and these groupings can also move in different directions at the same time, depending on various market forces. As for bonds, they too don’t always move in a uniform direction, or at least with the same intensity – for instance, when interest rates rise, bond prices tend to fall, but longer-term bonds may fall more than shorter-term ones, which are closer to maturity with fewer interest payments remaining. Conversely, when rates are falling, longer-term bonds may be more attractive because they lock in higher yields for a longer time. Consequently, one diversification technique for bonds is to build a “ladder” containing bonds of varying maturities.
Some investments, by their nature, are already somewhat diversified. A mutual fund can contain dozens, or even hundreds, of stocks, or a mixture of stocks and bonds. And different mutual funds may have different investment objectives – some focus more on growth, while others are more income-oriented – so, further diversification can be achieved by owning a mix of funds.
Furthermore, some investors achieve even greater diversification by owning alternative investments, such as real estate, commodities and cryptocurrencies, although these vehicles themselves are often more volatile than those in more traditional investment categories.
Place to recently open Burckle Place III, an intergenerational housing facility for 21 women. We are also getting ready to open Bill’s Place, a facility for men 55 years and older.
The not-so-good news is this year’s decreased PIT count could mean a reduction in allocated federal and state resources to provide housing and supportive services designed to assist individuals and families out of homelessness and into stability. The unsettling reality is a gap exists between the number of unhoused people we count and the actual number who lack permanent shelter – perhaps those who are couch surfing, living in their cars, hidden in wooded areas, encampments, or at work or school. Therefore, we continue to face a shortfall in the resources we have to serve this population.
While a diversified portfolio is important for every investor, your exact level of diversification – the percentages of your portfolio devoted to stocks, bonds and other securities – will depend on your individual risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals. You may want to consult with a financial professional about creating the diversified investment mix that’s right for your needs.
Ultimately, while diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help you reduce some of the risks associated with investing and better prepare you to deal with the inevitable volatility of the financial markets – two key benefits that can help you over the many years you’ll spend as an investor.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, CFP®, AAMS™, 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Now more than ever, agencies like ours are having to turn to private donors to mitigate the impact of these potential cuts to ensure continued support for our neighbors in need.
The Lord’s Place, along with the county and our community partners, will continue to play a key role in advocating for more resources. As ambassadors for those experiencing homelessness, our work will never be done until every individual in Palm Beach County is accounted for and has a home.
If you are interested in bridging the gap and having a positive impact on ending homelessness, please consider sharing your time, talent, and resources with agencies that are doing the work. For more information, visit www.TheLordsPlace.org
The Hidden Crisis from page 1
Three Reasons To College Plan The Summer Before Senior Year
By Peggy Forgan, M.Ed., College Planner
The summer before your senior year of high school is a critical time for college planning. Rising seniors will be applying to colleges in just four to five months and there’s a lot to get done. By planning ahead, you can reduce stress and ensure you’re prepared for the exciting but busy months ahead.
First, start by researching colleges that align with your goals, considering factors like location, size, academic
programs, and campus culture. Create a list of schools you’re interested in and arrange virtual tours. Then, begin organizing application materials.
Second, if you need to retake the SAT or ACT, the summer provides time for preparation. Many students also take summer courses or internships to strengthen their applications and gain a competitive edge.
Writing a draft of your application essay is a third key point. Writing drafts over the summer allows for thoughtful reflection and less pressure during the school year. You’ll have time to revise and seek feedback from teachers, family, or college counselors.
There is much to organize and keep track of in the coming months and Class 101 offers expert guidance to help you with every step of the college planning process.
Come work with the experts who will guide you every step of the way and make sure no detail is overlooked from researching schools, essay writing, completing applications, and applying for scholarships to ensure you’re on track for success.
Best of all, college planning isn’t just for seniors. Students in grades 9 and 10 can also benefit from getting started early. By beginning the process now, you’ll have more time to build a strong academic profile, explore extracurriculars, and identify specific colleges that align with your goals.
A proactive approach this summer sets you up for success as you navigate the college admissions process.
For more information or to schedule a free 30-minute consultation contact Peggy Forgan at (561) 418-7897 or email pforgan@class101.com.
Four Ways To Approach Reading Problems
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
Your child’s reading problems are real-life problems since reading is required in all school subjects. The percentage varies depending on the definition of “reading problems,” but approximately 20 percent of children have reading problems. This includes conditions like dyslexia and other reading difficulties. There are four ways to approach your child’s reading problems.
The least favorable approach is a wait and see approach. Some parents are told statements such as, “Give it more time and she’ll catch on soon,” or “Boys are just slower to read than girls.” Well-intentioned advice can actually cause your child considerable setback. Kindergarten through second grade is when children concentrate on learning to read but from third grade onward children must read to learn. Hence, mandatory third grade retention if your child does not pass the high stakes reading testing. A second approach is for you to work with your child at home. While you might not be a professional teacher, you can teach your child to read by purchasing reading materials. One parent book is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. You might require your child to use reading websites such as ABC Mouse, Starfall, Raz-Kids, or Nessy. These supports help many children learn to read.
Many parents hire a tutor as a third approach to reading struggles. I recommend one-to-one reading tutoring as the best way to make reading gains. There are plenty of teachers tutoring after school at libraries, homes, and businesses. Most schoolteachers who tutor use an eclectic approach to teaching reading.
Call for school neurological testing when your parental instinct is telling you your child’s struggles are more than
developmental and might be dyslexia. In this approach we test for dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Our testing pinpoints exactly what is causing the struggle so you can provide targeted support rather than try and see support. If it is dyslexia, Florida gives parents money to help with tutoring costs.
Call (561) 625-4125 if you would like to discuss your concerns for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. Learn more at www.JimForgan.com.
The Pet Cottage Post
A Day In The Life At The Pet
Cottage: Where Every Tail Tells A Story
Tucked away in Jupiter Farms is a place where pets who’ve lost their humans find love, care and a promise: they will never be alone again. The Pet Cottage is a sanctuary for pets whose people have passed away, become disabled or deployed. Once accepted into the program, these pets are promised a home for life.
Most of the 62 pets currently in their care live with Forever Guardians in the community. But some— those with medical or behavioral needs— stay at the sanctuary, including 14 dogs and one cat who live on-site.
A typical day begins well before sunrise.
“At 3:40 a.m., GiGi, a senior Jack Russell with dementia and Cushing’s disease, let me know she was ready to go out and eat,” shares the founder.
“So, up we go.”
Dashie, a pit bull mix, and Angel, a senior chihuahua, join GiGi on the early morning outing. The rest of the dogs remain sleeping in their cozy crates or small cottages on the property. After morning meditation and
journaling, the founder starts her work for The Pet Cottage— writing grants and planning the day.
By 7 a.m., it’s light enough to begin the full morning routine. Elvis, a large shepherd mix, is let out into his favorite park. Peanut, Sugar Baby and Tuffy are next, bounding with energy. Poppy and Auggie, a bonded pair of cocker spaniels awaiting placement, follow soon after.
Poop is scooped, tails are wagged and fresh air is enjoyed before everyone heads back inside. Nine of the dogs eat the same food, while a few are on special diets. Medications
are handed out, and the feeding routine stretches across the main house and the two additional cottages that house bonded pairs like Mister and Beary, and Dottie and BJ.
By 8:30 a.m., staff and volunteers begin arriving. Chloe, the volunteer coordinator, joins the morning pack walk—Angel in her stroller and the rest on leashes. A Facebook Live posting captures the fun for followers. Back inside, crates are cleaned and dogs are rotated depending on needs.
Sophie, a shy Maltipoo, eats breakfast in the guest room. “She was traumatized and isn’t comfortable with the other dogs, or many people—except me,” the founder says. Throughout the morning, volunteers help with cleaning, organizing donations, giving baths and, of course, showering the dogs with affection. The part-time assistant handles data tracking and veterinary records from one of the cottages, keeping dogs company while she works.
By mid-morning, the founder is in the office thanking donors, writing grants and preparing for board meetings. Some days include vet visits—The Pet Cottage pays for all medical care for the life of each pet. In the afternoons, meetand-greets are held with prospective guardians, with guidance from Franzi, their professional dog trainer.
By 4 p.m., it’s dinnertime. Dogs are fed, medications are given and evening routines begin. The day winds down with playtime, last walks and cuddles.
By 8:30 p.m., the house is quiet. Everyone is fed, safe and resting.
“It’s a full, beautiful day,” the founder reflects. “Busy— and so satisfying. I love my life.”
Join Our Pack
To schedule a visit call (561) 818-5025. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @thepetcottage. Learn more or donate at thepetcottage.org.
Wendy Derhak, Founder and Executive Director The Pet Cottage – Forever Promise. Forever Home.
IMPERIUM HOME
GiGi
Dashie and Wendy
Elvis and Tuffy
Elvis looking out the window
Angel in her stroller
