Published On: Sun, Oct 6th, 2019

South Palm Beach County Society Scene

By: Pamela J Weinroth 

Where Were You Last Week?

Luncheon Chairs: Gary Lesser, Sally Chester and Rob Torrington

The Senator Philip D Lewis Center Luncheon was presented by the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. The Homeless Coalition’s mission is to generate awareness through advocacy, education and community outreach.

In the 2019 Point-In-Time count disclosed that on any given night there are over 1,400 people in Palm Beach County who do not have a safe permanent place to call home. In the last 6 years, the Lewis Center has offered help and hope to more than 35,000 men, women and children looking to end their homelessness.

The Homeless Coalition’s Creating Housing Opportunities program has placed over 2,300 men, women and children into permanent housing.

While the Lewis Center has made a significant impact in the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness, the need far outweighs the services available.

Event Co-Chairs were Robert Torrington, Sally Chester and Gary Lesser. Jeri and Charles Muoio were honorary chairs.

Todd Bonlarron, Rebecca De LaRosa, Sophia Eccleston, MaryLou Berger, Verdenia Baker and Robert Weinroth

Community Partner of the Year was awarded to Living Hungry.

Walk the Walk Champion of the Homeless was awarded to Uwe Naujak.

Armando Fana was recognized with the Senator Lewis Public Service Award.

Extra Mile-Homeless Service Provider went to Health Care District Mobile Health Clinic.

Verdenia Baker accepted the Hero’s of the Homeless Award.

Nan Gallagher was surprised by the President’s Award.

The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Pedro “Joe” Greer, Jr. who left the audience with the message, “if the cause is social, then the answer must be social.” And the audience, in turn, gave Dr. Greer a standing ovation.

Congratulations to Board President, Sophia Eccleston on a very successful luncheon attracting over 500 supporters.

Pamela Weinroth, Pastor Bill Mitchell and Robert Weinroth

BocaLead “PM” was launched with over 200 people in attendance. After 5 years, BocaLead is now available as a lunch & learn or a dinner & learn.

Pastor Bill Mitchell

BocaLead, if you don’t already know, is a monthly business lunch (and now dinner) that explores how biblical principles apply in the workplace. It is attended by 400+ local professionals who learn how to grow in their leadership in the areas of trust, team-building, clarity, focus and more.

Bill Mitchell. A 25-year businessman now serves as Pastor of the Boca Raton Community Church. His mission is to raise the bar of ethics and character to make South Florida the best place to live, work, learn and play!

Check out Bill’s new BocaLead blog called TakeAways! Get a recap of the latest BocaLead and easily share it with your peers and colleagues at BocaLead.com/TakeAways

Better yet, register to attend the next session on November 7th at www.BocaLead.com (lunch or dinner)!

Families First celebrated 30 years of serving children and families at their annual Children’s Day Luncheon.

Robert and Pamela Weinroth, Julie Swindler, Michael and Tracy Caruso, Jim and Cindy Nau

Families First’s mission is advancing the well-being of children and families through high-quality programs in prevention, early intervention, child development, behavioral health, education, and advocacy. Their vision is to be a leader in providing outstanding programs and services for families, so children grow up in safe and loving homes that lead to stronger families and stronger communities.

Emceed by Jill Switzter, co-host of “The Morning Lounge with Jill and Rich” on Legends 100.3 FM WLML and Chaired by Tami Lesser, the 400+ crowd in attendance went home with a renewed sense of purpose. Eddie Stevens was honored with the Harriet Goldstein award for his volunteer work in the nonprofit world.

Rebecca Babcock, the Key Note Speaker, spoke emotionally of her life’s journey.

Rebecca Babcock always knew she was adopted, but at 16 she was rocked by the discovery that her birth mother, Diane Downs, was a murderer, convicted of shooting her own children. Motivated by a desire to reassure others struggling with a dark family history, Rebecca shares her confidence that nurture overcomes nature, and hopes to help people who have the same stigma. “Whether they came from a monster or were even raised by a monster—a murderer, molester, someone who beat them, a thief—that does not define who they are as an individual. Their parent’s mistake does not have to become their story. Each person holds her own pen and paper and can write her own story. People should never let anyone tell them different.”

Dawn Zook, Robert Weinroth and Arlene Herson

The 8thAnnual Toasts, Tastes and Trolley’s, a benefit for the Boca Raton Historical Society, was held on Friday evening.

Guests began their evening with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres, in the Boca Raton Resort’s Cloister Garden, before boarding a trolley to start their tour.  Guests enjoyed dinner-by-the-bite and signature cocktails, at a variety of Boca Raton restaurants and venues.  The trolleys returned guests to the Boca Raton Resort & Club and the evening concluded with dessert and dancing at the Resort’s Palm Court.

Congratulations Dawn Zook on another successful event.

Connie Siskowski and Ronnie Belletieri

Also, on Friday evening, the American Association of Caregiving Youth held their Hearts and “Soles” Casino Night. The evening featured live entertainment, dinner and drinks with fabulous casino games, all to benefit the youth caregivers in Palm Beach County.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a non-profit corporation established in 1998, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. AACY is the only organization in the US dedicated solely to addressing caregiving youth issues.

The Vision of AACY is every youth caring for chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members will achieve success in school and life. The Mission of AACY is to increase awareness and provide support services for youth caregivers and their families by connecting them with healthcare, education and community resources. Core Values of AACY – Collaboration, Compassion, Empowerment, Innovation, Responsiveness.  For more information, visit: the website at www.aacy.org

Start Planning:

Bartender Challenge for Breast Cancer – October 10th from 5:30 – 8PM

Real Men Wear Pink = Men Fighting Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects everyone, women and men. That’s why we’ve recruited men to fight breast cancer through Real Men Wear Pink. This distinguished group of community leaders is determined to raise awareness and money to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and save more lives, than ever before, from breast cancer.

The Power of Pink – Every dollar raised helps the American Cancer Society save lives from breast cancer through early detection and prevention, innovative breast cancer research, and patient support. Thanks to the passion of our Real Men Wear Pink supporters, we’re able to make a huge impact on the mission to end breast cancer.

Meet your Real Men of South Palm Beach County 2019

Entry to the Battle of the Bartenders Event is a minimum $30 donation (includes 2 “pink” drinks and light bites) to your favorite bartender at: www.RealMenWearPinkACS.org/SouthPalmBeachFL

Jay Van Vechten’s 75th Birthday Cabaret at the Wick – October 11th at 7:30PM

Please join us for a NOT TO BE MISSED musical journey in celebration of our friend Jay Van Vechten’s 75th birthday, in support of the American Disabilities Foundation and the Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities.

Celebrate Jay Van Vechten’s 75th Birthday with Stars from the World of Cabaret,
Featuring Special Guest Artist Kellye Cash, Lois Sage, Michael Walters, Aaron Bower and the cast of Hot Shoe Shuffle previewing the Wick Theatre’s 7th Season opening show.

Tickets:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jay-van-vechtens-75th-birthday-with-cocktails-canapes-cabaret-tickets-73753347247

Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival – October 19th from 10AM – 6PM

The Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival is back and more wonderFALL than ever!

Join us as we celebrate all things Fall on October 19 & 20 at Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton!

The festival will feature a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin patch with 2,500 pumpkins to pick from! Plus, carnival rides for ALL AGES!

Included in the entrance fee are unlimited carnival rides, a cornstalk maze, a dress-your-own scarecrow village, and tons of beautiful photo vignettes to capture that perfect Autumn photo.

Attendees can also decorate their pumpkins right on-site, as well as enjoy savory & sweet pumpkin delights (and delicious fair food) in our Pumpkin Food Court!

For more information about this event, please check out their website at http://www.bocapumpkinpatch.com/

Ticket Pricing:

  • $20 General Admission for Everyone 2 Years Old & Up
  • FREE Admission for Babies Under 24 Months old (does not include access to carnival rides)

Event Dates & Times:

  • Saturday, October 19: 10am-6pm
  • Sunday, October 20: 10am-6pm

Event Location: Mizner Park Amphitheater – 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

For information on these or other events, visit: www.BocaCal.com

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