The Town of Palm Beach United Way marked the start of its 80th year by having breakfast with everybody.
Well not everybody, exactly. Just the 200-plus guests at its 33rd annual Business and Professional Breakfast.
The breakfast took place Oct. 30 at The Breakers and marks the unofficial start of the United Way’s yearly fundraising campaign, which runs from July 1 through June 30.
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The breakfast is also the signature event of the United Way’s Business and Professional Committee, a 31-member panel that is responsible for securing corporate gifts and employee donations from businesses and professionals in Palm Beach.
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Bob Zaccheo, Harry White and Jamali Ramsay, representing Project LIFT, or Life Initiatives For Teens, were guest speakers at the event.
Zaccheo is the founder and CEO of the organization. White is an automotive instructor and mentor, and Ramsay is a student.
Ramsay spoke about Project LIFT’s mission and accomplishments. The agency, based in Belle Glade, Palm City, and Fort Pierce, allows teens and young adults to engage in hands-on training in welding, auto repair, HVAC, carpentry and construction while at the same time working with licensed therapists to address issues including depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, abuse and anger management.
“For Project LIFT, clear-minded decision making, job training and a focused work environment have been hallmarks of our success,” Zaccheo said. “Project LIFT follows industry — locking hands with the business community, donors and supporters provides us the opportunity to focus our training on what matters most to businesses and at the same time shows the promise of teens who are the future of the workforce.”
Carrie Bradburn, owner of Capehart Photography and a trustee of the Town of Palm Beach United Way, is chairwoman of this year’s committee.
Committee members are Karolina Bednarska of CIBC Private Wealth, Bill Benjamin of Citizens Private Bank, Paige Bennett of Hinshaw & Culbertson, Monika Meic Capin of Seaview Cafe, Sophie Chateauvert of The Colony Hotel Palm Beach, Jay Clifford of First Horizon, Kevin Condon of Sotheby’s International Realty, Christopher Cook Jr. of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Darlene Dzuba of Northern Trust, JB Edwards of Sotheby’s International Realty, Nathaniel Frasier of Merrill Lynch, David Ginn of Taglialatella Galleries, Adam Gold of The Royal Poinciana Plaza, Javier Gonzalez of Pizza Al Fresco, Marley Herring of Marley’s Palm Beach Collection, Ryan Hollihan of Palm Beach Media Group, Nick Kassatly of Brown Harris Stevens, Parisa Leve of The Breakers Palm Beach, Janderyn Makris of Earth and Sugar, Elizabeth Marshman of Freeman’s/Hindman, Michael Maus of Maus & Hoffman, Chris McDermott of Gardens Wealth Management, Brad McPherson of Gunster, Meghan Monteiro of Villanova University, Daphne Nikolopoulos of Palm Beach Illustrated, Heath Randolph of Wells Fargo Private Bank, Daren Rubenfeld of the Law Offices of Daren Rubenfeld, Erin Ryan of Livingston Builders, Clay Surovek of Surovek Gallery and Max Warburg of Carriage House.
“It’s important for our committee to link island workers and our fellow business neighbors to the vital work of the United Way,” said Bradburn, who has been a United Way supporter for over 25 years. “I have seen firsthand what the United Way has accomplished in the community, and am proud of the support they have given to countless nonprofits over the years that truly makes a difference for people in need.”
The business committee fundraising goal is set at $476,000. The United Way’s overall campaign goal is $6,929,000.
The Business and Professional Breakfast has been sponsored by The Breakers for 33 consecutive years. Since 1985, The Breakers and its staff have donated more than $3.7 million to Town of Palm Beach United Way. Breakers employees have served on the United Way board and committees as loaned executives, and have volunteered countless hours.
“The Breakers and its employees understand that we all have a role to play in making our community a better place for all who live and work in Palm Beach,” said Board Chairman Richard Rothschild. “They have a remarkable culture of giving and service.”
The United Way’s $6.9 million campaign goal would fund programs that focus on education, health, financial stability and basic needs, the cornerstones of thriving communities. Currently, donations are being invested in 68 health and human-service programs at 37 nonprofit agencies throughout Palm Beach County.
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