A record-breaking event supports essential Club Programming and construction of a new Club.
Boca Raton, FL – Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s 50th Anniversary Gala – The Winter Ball raised a record-breaking $8 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County on Friday, April 8. Event Chair Gretchen Leach successfully led the charge, joined by Co-Chairs Tom Quick, Jean and Tom Rutherfoord and Helen and Charles Schwab. During the Moroccan-themed gala, Julie and Mike Connors announced a $5 million lead gift to build a new West Palm Beach, Fla. Boys & Girls Club. Additional proceeds raised during the Gala benefit critical hunger-relief and other life-changing programs provided at 17 Boys & Girls Clubs strategically located throughout Palm Beach County.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach Country does a remarkable job of helping the young people in this community,” said event Chairman Gretchen Leach. “The guests at the Winter Ball came to support this worthy cause. It was a truly outstanding evening where everyone was happy, festive and generous. They danced the night away and contributed record-breaking donations to make the evening a smashing success. It was an honor for me to serve as Chairman.”
The annual black-tie event, one of the most prominent and well-attended galas of the Palm Beach social season, began with a cocktail hour in the Mediterranean Ballroom, followed by a sit-down dinner in the Venetian Ballroom. Both ballrooms were elaborately decorated in rich colors and theatrically enhanced with professional belly dancers to help transport guests to a Moroccan oasis. Those in attendance enjoyed a special performance by Boys & Girls Club members who sang “God Bless America”. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s 2021 Youth of the Year, Anajiah Graham, gave a heartfelt speech highlighting the Clubs’ impact on her life. Prior to dancing the night away with the help of Bob Hardwick’s big band dance orchestra, guests participated in a lively and exciting auction presented by Tom Quick and Reid Boren.
Pandemic recovery continues in neighborhoods that Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County serve as 95% of Club members now live in poverty. The Clubs’ hunger-relief, mentoring and resiliency programs are critical for children who depend on the services of the Boys & Girls Clubs. In 2021, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County distributed more than 675,000 nutritious meals to children who otherwise would have gone hungry.
“It was exciting to be in the same room with all of our amazing supporters at this year’s Gala,” said President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Jaene Miranda. “We are grateful that this record-breaking event led by Chairman, Gretchen Leach, will allow our Clubs to continue to serve 10,000 of the neediest children in our area. The effects of the last two years along with the rising cost of food and labor are addressed through our Clubs’ programming which are crucial to the communities we serve. Thanks to the generosity shown by our supporters, our Club members will be able to continue to focus on reaching their full potential.”
The surprise announcement of the $5-million-dollar lead gift from Julie and Mike Connors to build a new Club was made by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James. Mayor James thanked the Connors for their generosity in allowing a second Boys & Girls Club to be built and serve the children of West Palm Beach, Fla. Plans call for a 25,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility in District 5 near Southern Boulevard to help the estimated 500 future Club members remain on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future.
“The Connors’ gift to build a new Club was the ‘icing on the cake’ for this milestone year,” said Miranda. “Thanks to the Connors’ unwavering philanthropy, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will be able to expand to help even more children that need us most in our community. Without the support of amazing donors like the Connors, and generosity and leadership of individuals like Gretchen Leach, our Clubs would be unable to fulfill our mission.”
Honorary Chairmen of The 50th Anniversary Gala–The Winter Ball include Julie and Mike Connors, Lydia and Robert Forbes, Mary and Mark Freitas, Hillie Mahoney, Hon. Danielle Moore, Amanda and Charles Schumacher, Hon. Lesly S. Smith, Eddy and John Taylor, and Betsy and Wally Turner.
Over 50 supporters served as vice chairmen to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Winter Ball and the organization. Vice Chairmen included Mary Randolph Ballinger, Olympia and Brooks Bishop, James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui, Paula and Robert Butler, Kim and Payson Coleman, Wendy and Howard Cox, Brittain and John Damgard, Maureen Donnell, David Donten, Debbie and Bob Dunkin, Emilia and Pepe Fanjul, Hon. David and Jennifer Fischer, Lois and Jeff Fiser, Kay Gilman, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Jennifer and Chris Harris, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Allie Hanley, Ann and Charles Johnson, Elizabeth L. Johnson, Jorie Butler Kent, Carol and Tom Kirchhoff, Talbot Maxey, Grace and Chris Meigher, Priscilla and Don Miller, Anne Neville, Jane and Carl Panattoni, Kit Pannill, Susan and Chris Pappas, Amy and John Phelan, Sallie B. Phillips, Pauline Pitt and Gerry Seay, Vera Serrano, Betsy and Paul Shiverick, Christine and Bob Stiller, Felicia Taylor and Peter Gottsegen, Simone and Kerry Vickar, and Lynne McGowan Wheat and Thomas Peterffy.
For more information and to learn how you can support Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, please contact Tim Tracy, VP of Development & Corporate Relations, at ttracy@bgcpbc.org or 561-324-8600. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, please visit www.BGCPBC.org.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for-profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem, and values during critical periods of growth. The 17 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 10,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
Photo: Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART