South Florida’s spring season is in full swing! There are so many ways to help others and thousands of things to do and see in Palm Beach County this time of year. As we roll into May, here’s your roundup of Boca society events for March and April!
The Road to the Final Four
Can’t stop, won’t stop celebrating the FAU Men’s Basketball Team and their accomplishments this season! The team put forward the best season in Florida Atlantic University history as they competed in the Final Four semi-final game on April 1 against San Diego State in Houston. This was FAU Men’s Basketball’s first ever Final Four appearance. Head Coach Dusty May was honored as CBS Sports’ National Coach of the Year and recently signed a 10-year contract extension with FAU. After the historic season, Mayor Scott Singer handed the team keys to the city and hundreds strong showed up at the Mizner Park Amphitheater to celebrate the Owls. Next year’s season tickets are now on sale so grab them fast!
Impact 100 Palm Beach County’s Grand Awards
You know that quote “Many hands make light work”…? Hundreds of Impact 100 Palm Beach County members gathered on April 18 for the organization’s annual Grand Awards event to vote and award eight $100,000 grants to fund much-needed Palm Beach County nonprofit projects. The 2022-2023 Impact 100 Palm Beach County grant recipients include Digital Vibez, Propel, Morningday Community Solutions, 4KIDS Palm Beach, Interfaith Committee for Social Services, Tomorrow’s Rainbow, Arms of Hope Community and Habilitation Center for the Handicapped.
Caregiving Youth Salute Local Champions
Caring for chronically ill, injured, disabled or elderly relatives is extremely difficult. Imagine being a teenager and doing so… and there are so many here in our community doing just that. The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) partners with The School District of Palm Beach County to offer these young caregivers support and services. AACY celebrated several of its dedicated supporters at its Community Caregiving Champions Breakfast on April 14, including philanthropist and Investments Limited co-founder Marta Batmasian, Dimension Hospitality VP of Operations Ron Wichowski as well as former AACY board chair Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, husband Joe Martin and Allegiance Home Health.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ Bamboo and Bonsai Gala
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens sparkled on March 4 during its annual gala with Japanese culture on prominent display. Butlered cocktails, sake and whiskey tastings, fireworks and a taiko drumming performance by Fushu Daiko were all enjoyed by more than 200 well-heeled museum supporters. The 2023 George Morikami Cultural Arts Awards were presented to The Freeman Foundation, Beverlee Kohnken and the Kohnken Family Foundation, and Mrs. Marilyn Rothstein. Monies raised from the gala will benefit Morikami’s 4Es: Exhibitions, Education, Emotional Wellness programs, and Expansion.
JAFCO presents Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Little black dresses, pearls and Tiffany’s blue graced The Polo Club of Boca Raton on March 16 for an Audrey Hepburn retrospective presentation and luncheon to support the Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options’ (JAFCO) South Palm Beach/North Broward Chapter. JAFCO provides care, safety and support to children and their families within the Jewish community who are impacted by abuse, neglect, trauma or developmental disabilities. The chapter will host a Mother’s Day luncheon event on May 11 at Boca West Country Club.
40 Over 40 in South Florida
Cheers to award-winning accredited master fine art photographer, LuAnn Warner-Prokos, and her 40 Over 40 Campaign that recognizes female community leaders and clients through portraiture. LuAnn highlighted the successes, accomplishments and inner beauty of 40 ladies through her lens over the past year and honored each one of us at an event on March 8 held in partnership with SoFlo Habitat and Sklar Furnishings. Warner-Prokos Photography is continuing to work on capturing and celebrating the beauty of women via the 40 Over 40 project by offering special fine art portrait photography sessions. Contact LuAnn Warner-Prokos at LuAnn@WPPortraits.net for more information.
Angels Among Us
There are not many programs across America that provide affordable housing and wrap-around services to former foster youth and families like Place of Hope does here in Boca Raton and at several other campuses in Palm Beach County and along the Treasure Coast. Place of Hope kicked off its South County spring event season on April 12 with the 2023 Leighan Roberts Rinker Angel of Hope & Sponsor Reception at Northern Trust Boca Raton. Place of Hope CEO Charles Bender and Advancement Director Lisa McDulin introduced this year’s Angel of Hope honoree Amy Kazma as well as the organization’s Volunteers of the Year: Bonnie Hildeband, Wendy Sadusky and Paige Kornblue(!)
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