Published On: Fri, Feb 25th, 2011

Unicorn Children’s Foundation—helping one child at a time

By Diane Feen

BOCA RATON — It was in 2005 that Michele Yellin saw a notice in the society section of her newspaper about a gala for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation. Although Yellin had been active in charities for many years, she didn’t know much about the Unicorn Children’s Foundation.

But Yellin is a quick learner – and the Unicorn Children’s Foundation is a very compelling organization. In case you don’t know about the Unicorn Children’s Foundation, it is a nonprofit organization that helps children and young adults with developmental, communication and learning disorders lead productive and fulfilling lives through education, awareness and research initiatives.

row one; Constance Josanu, Madeline Hillsberg, Marilyn Swillinger; row 2 Angela Fisher, Joanne Gabay, Jeannette Stark, Michelle Yellin, Renata Moulavi, row 3, Elwira Krukowski, Genevieve Murphy, Milli Hershman, Mary Lynn Bartolomeo; top row, Hope Gainer, Valeria Rosenbloom, Elisabeth Dalfen.

Since this cause resonated quite strongly with Yellin, she began to do fundraising for the organization. She (and other volunteers) ran a golf tournament to raise money and Yellin worked tirelessly to get local businesses to donate gifts for live and silent auctions. They even got the Ziegfeld Girls of Florida to donate a substantial amount of money.

It seems that Yellin and her fellow volunteers from the Unicorn Children’s Foundation are doing a great job. They now have two mobile units that screen children with autism and learning disabilities. And they continue to promote learning and increased awareness (with tools and resources) to better meet the needs of these children.

Their most ambitious goal yet is to open a Unicorn High School for children with special needs. The school will prepare these children to transition into the work force, go to college or have full involvement in the community.

To reach this auspicious goal they are having a Grand Gala, “An Evening Aboard the Orient Express” at the Mar-a- Lago Club on March 5th. The Grand Honorary Host will be Mr. and Mrs. Donald Trump, the Mistress of Ceremonies is Lucie Arnaz, Founder Award Karen and Dan Swanson. Other honorees are Smart for Life/Underway, Dr. Sasson, Renata Moulan, Richard Kayne, Michelle and Ron Yellin, Madeline and Herbert Hillsberg, Yvonne Eldredge and Emily Damiano, Patricia Riley and Jeannette Stark.

There will also be a cocktail reception for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation at the Karen Lynne Gallery in Plaza Real South on February 19 from 6 to 8 pm.

The Unicorn Children’s Foundation was founded by Dr. Mark Rosenbloom, after his three-year-old son was diagnosed with a communication disorder. He had been told by professionals that his son, who was not yet speaking, would “grow out of it.” But he didn’t.

Since its inception in 1994, Unicorn Children’s Foundation’s provides hope and answers for families of children affected by a developmental, communication or learning disorders.

Unicorn Children’s Foundation (based in Boca Raton)

Phone: 561-620-9377

www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org

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