Toy Drive collects over $20,500 and thousands of toys
For release December 10, 2024
Hundreds of children will receive toys this holiday season thanks to the generosity of the Palm Beach community. The Town of Palm Beach United Way’s 31st Annual Holiday Toy Drive collected $20,745 and thousands of toys to benefit Palm Beach County families in need.
Hundreds of residents, workers, businesses, condominiums, and other organizations participated in the drive, which ran from November 3 through early December.
Turkey Trot provides Thanksgiving meals to 6,288 Palm Beach County residents
For release November 28, 2024
More than 1,600 people started their Thanksgiving morning early by participating in the 16th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot race at Bradley Park. Proceeds from the 5K race, which began at 8:00 AM, provided meals for 6,288 children and adults.
Joseph Berrafati, 25, of Boston, was the first to cross the finish line and first overall male finisher with a time of 16 minutes and 59 seconds. Taylor O’Hara, 29, of West Palm Beach, placed first overall for females finishing in 19 minutes and 46 seconds. Berrafati and O’Hara each received a trophy. The top two men and women finishers in 10 age divisions also won trophies. All participants who crossed the finish line received a signature Turkey Trot medal.
Town of Palm Beach United Way Annual Holiday Toy Drive kicks off November 3 to benefit Palm Beach County families in need
For immediate release October 30, 2024
The Town of Palm Beach United Way will begin collecting toys for the 31st Annual Holiday Toy Drive starting Sunday, November 3. The drive runs through Sunday, December 1. Donations benefit children at United Way nonprofit partner agencies throughout Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach business community helps kick off Town of Palm Beach United Way’s annual fundraising campaign
For immediate release October 30, 2024
More than 200 people attended the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s 33rd Annual Business and Professional Breakfast held Wednesday, October 30 at The Breakers Palm Beach. The community event marks the unofficial start of the United Way’s yearly fundraising campaign, which runs from July 1 through June 30. A total of $29,000 was raised during the breakfast.
The breakfast is also the signature event of the United Way’s Business and Professional Committee, a 31-member committee (roster attached) that is responsible for securing corporate gifts and employee donations from businesses and professionals in Palm Beach.
Town of Palm Beach United Way 12th Annual School Supply Drive benefiting Palm Beach County students in need starts July 28
For immediate release: July 23, 2024
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is collecting school supplies to distribute to low-income families in Palm Beach County so students have the resources they need to succeed in school.
The 12th Annual School Supply Drive starts Sunday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, August 11. The dates coincide with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Supporters can drop off supplies at the central and southern Town of Palm Beach fire rescue stations, the United Way office or Field of Greens locations in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.
Town of Palm Beach United Way celebrates successful campaign, thanks volunteers and supporters at 79th Annual Meeting at The Breakers
For immediate release: May 8, 2024
Town of Palm Beach United Way board members, volunteers, donors, and community supporters celebrated a successful campaign year at the 79th Annual Meeting held Thursday, May 2, at The Breakers Palm Beach. Marcia Andrews, a volunteer mentor with United Way partner Take Stock in Children, received this year’s Nettie Finkle Award for outstanding volunteerism and community service.
Town of Palm Beach United Way collects thousands of donations and food items during 11th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive
For immediate release: April 19, 2024
The 11th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive received hundreds of food items and $7,275 to date in donations to benefit food insecure children and adults in Palm Beach County. The drive was held April 1 through April 15 in partnership with Field of Greens, Palm Beach Fire Rescue and Palm Beach Daily News.
Town of Palm Beach United Way Tocqueville Society Dinner recognizes leadership donors, honors longtime supporter Alan Curtis
For immediate release: April 16, 2024
The Town of Palm Beach United Way celebrated its philanthropic leaders at the 33rd Annual Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award Dinner on Monday, April 15, at Club Colette. Alan Curtis was honored with the “Distinguished Citizen Award” in front of a crowd of about 180 supporters. The award is the highest accolade bestowed by the Town of Palm Beach United Way and recognizes unparalleled leadership in philanthropy.
Town of Palm Beach United Way thanks volunteers, celebrates end of grant review process during appreciation event
For immediate release: April 12, 2024
Allocation Committee volunteers celebrated the end of the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s grant review process at a cocktail party Thursday, April 11, at the oceanfront home of Melissa and John Ceriale.
This year’s committee consisted of 130 community volunteers divided into 15 teams (roster attached). They were responsible for reviewing 77 program applications from 41 nonprofit agencies in Palm Beach County seeking grant funding from the Town of Palm Beach United Way. Suzanne Brenner, Carla Cove and Diane McNeal served as General Chairs of the Allocation Committee. Team Chairs were Missy Agnello, Diana Barrett, Tish Carlo, Sandy Fleming, MM Lang, Fran Levy, Steve Magowan, Pamela McIver, Amber McMichael, Joyce Reingold, David Scaff, Louise Snyder, Jessica Surovek, John Tatooles, and Betsy Turner.
Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive begins April 1
For immediate release: March 27, 2024
The arrival of spring in Palm Beach also signals the start to the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s annual food drive. The 11th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive runs Monday, April 1 through Monday, April 15.
Non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be collected to benefit low-income individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. This year the United Way is also encouraging donations of kosher food items. Donors can drop off items at the town’s central and south end fire stations, Field of Greens or the United Way office inside the Palm Beach Towers.
137 volunteers participate in Town of Palm Beach United Way grant review process
For immediate release: January 31, 2024
The Town of Palm Beach United Way will utilize the skills and expertise of 137 community volunteers for its annual grant review process. It’s a record number of volunteers to participate on the Allocation Committee, which is responsible for studying requests from nonprofit organizations applying for grant funding from the Town of Palm Beach United Way.
The Allocation Committee is led this year by Co-Chairs Suzanne Brenner, Carla Cove and Diane McNeal. A majority of the Allocation Committee volunteers live or work in Palm Beach. Some have been Town of Palm Beach United Way volunteers for over two decades, and 34 are new to the process.
The 3-month review process finishes in early April. Volunteers are split into 15 teams focusing on different social causes such as early childhood education, afterschool programming, middle and high school graduation, disabilities, mental health, housing, food, substance abuse, and domestic violence. In total, they will review 77 health and human service programs administered at 41 nonprofit agencies throughout Palm Beach County.
30th Annual Toy Drive collects over $19,000 and hundreds of gifts for children in Palm Beach County
For immediate release: December 6, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way’s 30th Annual Holiday Toy Drive will bring joy to hundreds of underserved children and families throughout Palm Beach County, after collecting hundreds of toys and $19,160 in donations.
The drive, which ran November 5 to December 3, received donations from more than 250 individuals, families, community groups and businesses.
Town of Palm Beach United Way collects hundreds of toys for children in need at Findlay Galleries Holiday Cocktail Reception
For release: November 28, 2023
James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui hosted a Holiday Cocktail Reception on Saturday, November 25 at Findlay Galleries to benefit the Town of Palm Beach United Way's 30th Annual Toy Drive. More than 150 guests attended the party, helping the United Way collect hundreds of toys to benefit children and families in need in Palm Beach County.
Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot provides Thanksgiving meals to 4,662 Palm Beach County residents
For release November 23, 2023
More than 1,500 people started their Thanksgiving morning early by participating in the milestone 15th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot race at Bradley Park. Proceeds from the 5K race, which began at 7:30 AM, provided meals for 4,662 children and adults.
Annual Holiday Toy Drive kicks off November 5 to benefit children in need
For immediate release: October 30, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way will begin collecting toys for the 30th Annual Holiday Toy Drive starting Sunday, November 5. The drive runs through Sunday, December 3. Donations benefit children in need throughout Palm Beach County.
The holiday season is a difficult time of year for thousands of families in our community. Toys are a luxury many low-income parents simply cannot afford, especially over other basic needs such as food, gas and medicine. The Town of Palm Beach United Way Toy Drive aims to help ease this burden for parents.
Business and Professional Breakfast to kick off fundraising campaign
For immediate release: October 23, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way will host the 32nd Annual Business and Professional Breakfast on Wednesday, November 1 at The Breakers. The community event marks the unofficial start of the United Way’s 2023-2024 fundraising campaign, which runs from July 1 through June 30.
The breakfast is the signature event of the United Way’s Business and Professional Committee, a 27-member committee (roster here) that is responsible for securing corporate gifts and employee donations from businesses and professionals in Palm Beach.
Jay Clifford, Vice President at First Horizon, and Stacie Hallinan, Director of Catering Sales at The Colony Hotel Palm Beach, are co-chairmen of this year’s committee. The campaign goal is set at $405,000. The overall campaign goal is $6,505,000.
Town of Palm Beach United Way School Supply Drive collects thousands of supplies and over $14,000 for low-income students
For immediate release: August 11, 2023
The 11th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way School Supply Drive collected $14,155 and thousands of school supplies to benefit children in need during the 2023-2024 school year. The drive ran July 23 through August 6.
In total, the School Supply Drive received 14,781 individual items, including pencils, pens, crayons, markers, notebooks, erasers, backpacks, folders and binders.
Town of Palm Beach United Way collecting donations for 11th Annual School Supply Drive benefiting Palm Beach County students in need
For immediate release: July 17, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is collecting school supplies to distribute to low-income families in Palm Beach County so students have the resources they need to succeed in school.
The 11th Annual School Supply Drive starts Sunday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, August 6. The dates coincide with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Supporters can drop off supplies at the central and southern Town of Palm Beach fire rescue stations, the United Way office or Field of Greens in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.
Registration now open for milestone 15th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving Day
For immediate release: July 6, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is now accepting registrations for its 15th Annual Turkey Trot 5K race on Thanksgiving Day in Palm Beach. The family-friendly event is limited to 1,500 participants and sells out every year.
The 2023 Turkey Trot will be held on Thursday, November 23 at Bradley Park. The Kids Drumstick Dash is scheduled for 7:00 AM followed by the 5K race at 7:30 AM.
Francesca and William Finck and Gabrielle and Scott Fricker are new chairmen of the event committee known as The Islanders (roster below). They take over the leadership role from Cara and Jared McClure, who started the Turkey Trot in 2009 and will remain honorary co-chairs.
Town of Palm Beach United Way celebrates successful campaign, thanks volunteers and supporters at 78th Annual Meeting
For immediate release: May 4, 2023
Town of Palm Beach United Way board members, volunteers, and community supporters celebrated a successful campaign year at the 78th Annual Meeting held Tuesday, May 2, at The Breakers Palm Beach. Trustees approved grant funding and elected new members for the upcoming year. Eddie Rhodes, a volunteer mentor with United Way partner Take Stock in Children, received this year’s Nettie Finkle Award for outstanding volunteerism and community service.
Allocation Committee volunteers celebrate end of grant review process
For immediate release: April 27, 2023
Allocation Committee volunteers celebrated the end of the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s grant review process at a cocktail party Wednesday, April 26, at the historic Manalapan home of Kate and Gary Parr.
This year’s committee consisted of 110 community volunteers divided into 15 teams (roster attached). They were charged with reviewing 79 program applications from 43 nonprofit agencies in Palm Beach County seeking grant funding from the Town of Palm Beach United Way.
Town of Palm Beach United Way collects thousands of food items during 10th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive
For immediate release: April 18, 2023
The 10th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive received thousands of food items to benefit food insecure children and adults in Palm Beach County. The drive, held April 2 through April 16, also collected $5,315 in donations.
“The food we collected will provide meals to families who are struggling to make ends meet due to high inflation and other financial burdens,” said Board Chairman Bill Tiefel. “Many of our nonprofit partners rely on food drive donations to help them fill funding gaps. We thank everyone who donated for helping us meet the needs of our less fortunate neighbors.”
10th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive to benefit food insecure residents in Palm Beach County
For immediate release: March 28, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is asking supporters to clear out their cupboards to help food insecure residents in Palm Beach County. The 10th Annual Empty Your Pantry Food Drive runs from Sunday, April 2 through Sunday, April 16.
Non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be collected to benefit low-income individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. Donors can drop off items at the town’s central and south end fire stations, Field of Greens or the United Way office.
Tocqueville Award Dinner celebrates leadership donors; honors James R. Borynack
For immediate release: March 28, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way celebrated its philanthropic leaders at the 32nd Annual Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award Dinner on Monday, March 27, at Club Colette. James R. Borynack was honored with the “Distinguished Citizen Award” in front of a crowd of about 150 supporters. The award is the highest accolade bestowed by the Town of Palm Beach United Way and recognizes unparalleled leadership in philanthropy.
Red Feather Society Cocktail Reception at Findlay Galleries
For immediate release: February 16, 2023
Members of the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s Red Feather Society gathered for a cocktail party Wednesday, February 15, at Findlay Galleries to celebrate a successful start to the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. More than 120 supporters attended the event, which was sponsored by Findlay Galleries and hosted by James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui.
Membership in the Red Feather Society is granted to donors who give between $1,000 and $9,999 annually to the campaign. Lisa Wilkinson is chairwoman of this year’s Society.
Tocqueville Society Cocktail Reception honors leadership donors
For immediate release: February 9, 2023
The Town of Palm Beach United Way hosted a cocktail reception on Wednesday, February 8, at Club Colette to thank major donors and welcome new and prospective members of its esteemed Alexis de Tocqueville Society. The event was sponsored by First Republic Bank.
This year’s Tocqueville Society is chaired by Susan and Bob Wright. The campaign has raised over $4.9 million to date from 173 contributions. Tocqueville giving represents about 80% of the United Way’s overall campaign.
More than 100 volunteers participate in grant allocation process
For immediate release: January 30, 2023
Over the next two months, 114 community volunteers will spend countless hours helping the Town of Palm Beach United Way review nonprofit funding requests as members of the organization’s Allocation Committee.
Volunteers are split into 15 teams focusing on different social causes such as early childhood education, middle school, high school, disabilities, housing, food, substance abuse, and domestic violence. In total, they will review 79 health and human service programs administered at 43 nonprofit agencies throughout Palm Beach County.
Toy Drive collects over $24,000 and hundreds of gifts for children in need
For immediate release: December 9, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way’s 29th Annual Holiday Toy Drive will bring joy to hundreds of underserved children and families throughout Palm Beach County, after collecting over 2,000 toys and $24,525 in donations.
The drive, which ran November 6 through December 4, received donations from
more than 215 individuals, families, community groups and businesses.
Town of Palm Beach United Way collects hundreds of toys for children in need at Findlay Galleries Holiday Cocktail Reception
For immediate release: November 30, 2022
James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui hosted a Holiday Cocktail Reception on Saturday, November 26 at Findlay Galleries to benefit the Town of Palm Beach United Way's 29th Annual Toy Drive. More than 180 guests attended the party, helping the United Way collect hundreds of toys to benefit children and families in need in Palm Beach County.
Turkey Trot provides Thanksgiving meals to 4,894 Palm Beach County residents
For immediate release: November 24, 2022
More than 1,500 people started their Thanksgiving morning early by participating in the 14th Annual Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot at Bradley Park. Proceeds from the 5K race, which began at 6:45 AM, provided meals for 4,894 children and adults.
Town of Palm Beach United Way Annual Holiday Toy Drive to benefit hundreds of children and families throughout Palm Beach County
For immediate release: November 3, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is collecting toys for children in need this holiday season. The 29th Annual Holiday Toy Drive begins Sunday, November 6 and runs through Sunday, December 4.
Michele and Howard Kessler, Joanie and Murray Goodman, Gail and Alfred Engelberg offer new challenge gifts to Palm Beach United Way hurricane fund
For immediate release: November 2, 2022
Storm relief fundraising efforts continue in Palm Beach as couples Michele and Howard Kessler, Joanie and Murray Goodman, and Gail and Alfred Engelberg offer new matching gifts totaling $125,000 to the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund. The Kesslers and the Goodmans will each match donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000 and the Engelbergs will match contributions dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
John and Jana Scarpa and Joe and Susan Plumeri offer challenge gifts totaling $100,000 to Hurricane Fund
For immediate release: October 26, 2022
Palm Beach couples John and Jana Scarpa and Joe and Susan Plumeri are each offering dollar for dollar matching gifts of up to $50,000 to help the Town of Palm Beach United Way Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund top $1 million raised. The United Way started the fund on September 29 to help residents impacted by the powerful Category 4 storm that hit Florida’s Gulf Coast causing billions of dollars of damage and claiming the lives of at least 114 people.
Hurricane Fund receives new challenge gifts from Dorothy and Sidney Kohl and Judy and Bob Snyder
For immediate release: October 19, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way needs help meeting new challenge gifts from Palm Beach couples Dorothy and Sidney Kohl and Judy and Bob Snyder to support hurricane relief efforts along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Kohls will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 and the Snyders will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.
Business breakfast highlights new job placement program in Palm Beach County
Business professionals and supporters of the Town of Palm Beach United Way heard about a new program to help Palm Beach County residents find in-demand jobs during the 31st Annual Business and Professional Breakfast held on October 17 at The Breakers Palm Beach. The American Dream Academy is a tuition-free, six-month online certification program designed to teach adults the skills needed to pursue high quality technology-related jobs or advance in their current careers.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kerry Healey, president of the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, introduced the program to an audience of more than 225 people.
Hurricane Fund receives matching gifts from Peltz and Perlmutter
For immediate release: October 14, 2022
Palm Beach couples Claudia and Nelson Peltz and Laura and Isaac Perlmutter have each offered $50,000 matching gifts to help the Town of Palm Beach United Way raise money for hurricane relief efforts in Southwest Florida. Each family will match donations to the United Way’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
Hurricane Fund receives matching gifts from Garfunkel and Levy
For immediate release: October 12, 2022
New challenge gifts from Sandy and George Garfunkel and Elizabeth and Jerome Levy will allow the Town of Palm Beach United Way to continue fundraising to support emergency relief efforts along Florida’s Gulf Coast following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. Together, the couples will match donations to the Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
Hurricane Fund receives matching gifts from Edlavitch and Moore
For immediate release: October 10, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is honored to announce two new matching gift opportunities for hurricane relief efforts in Southwest Florida. Couple Irwin and Ginny Edlavitch and Mayor Danielle Moore have each offered a $25,000 challenge grant to help raise money for the United Way’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund.
Hurricane Fund receives $100k challenge gift from Cathleen McFarlane Foundation
For immediate release: October 7, 2022
The Cathleen McFarlane Foundation is the latest donor to offer a challenge grant to help the Town of Palm Beach United Way raise funds for hurricane relief efforts along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The Foundation will match contributions to the United Way’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000.
Business and Professional Campaign kicks off with cocktail party at The Colony
Release Date: October 5, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way hosted a meet-and-greet cocktail mixer for members of its Business and Professional Committee on Tuesday, October 4 at The Colony Palm Beach. The reception, underwritten by The Colony, marked the start of the United Way’s 2022-2023 Business and Professional fundraising campaign.
Hurricane Recovery Fund receives matching gift from Susan and Dom Telesco
Release Date: October 4, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way needs help meeting a new matching gift to assist with hurricane relief efforts along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Longtime donors Susan and Dom Telesco are offering to match donations to the United Way’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.
Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund launched with matching gift opportunity
Release Date: September 29, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way has created a Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund to assist with immediate
relief efforts in Southwest Florida. Palm Beach donors Bill and Norma Tiefel and Richard and Barbara Rothschild
have offered a combined $50,000 dollar-for-dollar matching gift to kick start the fund.
School Supply Drive benefits hundreds of students
Release Date: August 11, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is grateful to the Palm Beach community for collectively donating $18,430 to date, and thousands of school supplies during the 10th Annual School Supply Drive. The drive ran July 25 through August 8 to benefit low-income families in Palm Beach County.
Exclusive new online learning program
Release Date: May 23, 2022
The Town of Palm Beach United Way is excited to announce a new online learning opportunity from the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream designed to teach technical skills that help adults secure professional certificates for in-demand jobs. This exclusive program is an unparalleled and unique opportunity for individuals and families in Palm Beach County.
