When John was 44 years old, his mother passed away. For the most part, he had lived his life with her at his side. He has a brother in Ohio who he rarely hears from, and an uncle in Palm Beach County. John, as a child, went through six brain surgeries due to a physical abnormality in the brain, and surgeries left him mildly developmentally challenged.

John rarely worked because of his physical condition. Doctor’s would advise him to avoid too much exertion. After his mother passed away, he knew that he would have to earn money in order to survive. His social security was not enough to cover his expenses.  He volunteered at a local hospital for three years in order to build a record of good work    performance. Finally, he was hired to work in the hospital’s food service department.  After one year, persistent leg cramps began to make it difficult for him to work every day.   He missed a day here and there and was promptly terminated.

When his inheritance from his mother was gone, he could not pay the modest rent that he   was paying. He was promptly evicted. No family member offered to help. In 2010, John turned to Vicker’s House in West Palm Beach. Seagull Industries was quickly asked to interview John as a homeless, developmentally challenged person.

John was very sad about his homelessness. He had been on the streets for a couple of weeks, had very few possessions, and no clothing to speak of. Seagull went into action quickly, and the results were quick and wonderful. John lives in a Seagull residential program, and loves it. He is no longer alone, and he is now working part-time for Wal-Mart and is doing well. He travels to work with the help of Palm Tran Connection. His finances are well under control between his earnings and his disability check. He is a model citizen, and a true Seagull success story.

John is just one of many who have been served through Seagull Industries. To learn more about Seagull Industries for the Disabled and other Town of Palm Beach United Way partner agencies, visit www.palmbeachunitedway.org.

During the citizen review process, volunteers assess the effectiveness and efficiency of each program that applies for funding. This year, 75 dedicated individuals on eight different teams will participate in the review. For the next three months, they will serve as the eyes and ears of more than 2,000 donors. They will analyze key financial information, visit member agencies, meet with agency staff and board members and make funding recommendations to the Town of Palm Beach United Way Board of Trustees. The volunteers are a diverse group of community representatives with a broad range of expertise and skill. Each team will review between 8 and 19 requests for funding from member agencies.

“The hardest part of serving on the committee,” according to Missy Agnello, Committee Chairman, “is seeing first-hand the needs of the community, and not having enough money to allocate to each agency. Allocating limited dollars is a very rewarding process, but it is also very difficult.”

THANK YOU Allocation Committee! Your knowledge and dedication to this process is invaluable to our community.

Click here to view photos from last week’s orientation meetings.

Each year, Americans answer Dr. King’s question by joining together on MLK Day of Service to give back to their neighbors and communities. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all. He encouraged Americans to live up to their potential, and to fulfill their purpose as citizens of this nation through community service.

Monday will mark the 26th anniversary of the MLK Federal Holiday. It is the perfect time for Americans to answer Dr. King’s challenge to do something for others.  He set big goals and focused relentlessly on results – and so do we. But we need unwavering, dedicated individuals (like you) to take action to address the social challenges facing us today. Are you up for it? We sure are!

So, how will YOU answer Dr. King’s question – What are you doing for others?

Here are a few ways you can serve your community here in Palm Beach County.

• Donate food, clothing and/or furniture to struggling individuals and families.
• Serve a meal at a local soup kitchen.
• Organize a food, clothing or book drive – or collect all 3!
• Become a mentor or tutor.
• Volunteer at a food pantry.
• Gather a group of friends or co-workers and help build a house.
• Read to a class.
• Glean fields of fruits and vegetables to be distributed to locals in need.

The opportunities to serve are endless. If you would like other suggestions, or need information about any of these opportunities, please call us at 561.655.1919 or email us!

THANK YOU for….

• giving HOPE to families that have been struggling to make ends meet.
• helping students GRADUATE.
• increasing FOOD distribution to those in need.
• helping families BREAK THE CYCLE of homelessness.
• mentoring and encouraging our youth to ADVANCE in school.
• providing HEALTH services to the uninsured.

Thank you for your incredible dedication to improving lives throughout Palm Beach County. Words will never be able to adequately express our immense gratitude. For all that you do, THANK YOU!

In 2012, we at the Town of Palm Beach United Way challenge you to make a difference, not just in your own life, but in the lives of those struggling in your community. Set a goal that is not only realistic, but will improve your life as well as those around you.

Here are a few ways you can LIVE UNITED in 2012.

• Spend a buck – Every gift counts! Your contribution with that of others makes a BIG difference! Make a donation and ask a friend or two to do the same. You’ll be amazed how far a little will go.
• Volunteer… at least once – So many of our partner agencies are in constant need of volunteers. You can read to a class, become a tutor, serve a meal at a local soup kitchen, build a house… the possibilities are endless. Let us know if you want to volunteer in 2012.
• Advocate – Passionate about a particular issue? Write a letter to your elected officials letting them know that you want them to take action. It’s easy, fast and effective.
• Buy a little extra – While grocery shopping, grab a few more items to be donated to a local food pantry or given to a food drive in your neighborhood.
• Get social – Social media is a powerful tool! It can do a lot to raise awareness about the issues in our community. Share information about the causes, organizations and issues that matter to you. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
• Meet your neighbors – You may have a neighbor who needs your help, or you might even need theirs someday. Begin building a support network with a simple hello while taking out the trash.
• Take the lead – We know you understand the importance of community involvement, but do your friends? Rally a group of family, friends or coworkers to volunteer or make a donation.
• Do more – Perhaps you already donate, volunteer, advocate, help your neighbors and rally your friends to do the same. GREAT! Thank you! Why not resolve to do a little more in 2012? Just a little more can go a long way.

What resolutions have you made? How will you LIVE UNITED in 2012?

A grandmother who often helped distribute food to those in need, found herself also in need of help. Several months ago, two of her children lost their jobs and were forced to move in with her. The two children came home with their spouses and children. She went from an empty nest, and meeting her daily needs with her small Social Security check, to living in a home with four other adults and five grandchildren. Three of the adults have part-time jobs and only one has a full-time job. Today, they are referred to as the working poor, individuals who are working, but are still unable to meet basic needs.

Seeking assistance from the food pantry was a very difficult decision for this grandmother and her family. They were always able to take care of themselves and help those around them. However, they now found themselves making those difficult decisions so many others are faced with. Should we pay for the electric bill or groceries? While the decision was not easy, the family did visit the pantry.

The partnership between Feeding South Florida and the Town of Palm Beach United Way has brought this family much needed hope in their time of need. With this help, they are now able to provide food for the family, pay their bills and use any remaining money to purchase the few necessities that aren’t always available at a pantry. They are now able to make the most of their resources and can focus on moving their family forward. It is partnerships like this that help create a better community throughout Palm Beach County.

Tough times are certainly upon us, but have not defeated us. Together, with our 47 member agencies, we believe that the Town of Palm Beach United Way can make lasting change in a big way! For more information about Feeding South Florida and our other member agencies, visit www.palmbeachunitedway.org.

The Turkey Trot has become the epitome of a community event that drives home the true meaning of our goal to LIVE UNITED. So THANK YOU to all who made this event possible! Your generosity truly makes a difference. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Click here to view photos from the event.

Click here for race results.

• Serve a Thanksgiving Meal
  Click here to download a list of places to contact about serving Thanksgiving meals.

• Organize a Food Drive
  Gather canned and non-perishable food at your work, school or in your neighborhood. Click here for a list of agencies in need of food donations.
  

• Volunteer at a Food Pantry
  There are a number of local food pantries that are short handed this time of year. Click here for a list of local food pantries that could use your help.
  

• Make a Donation
  Click here to make a donation.

Are you, or someone you know, in need?
Call 211 (or 561-383-1111) to be connected to an agency that can provide you with assistance.

No one is required to give of themselves. There are no laws or regulations that say you must volunteer or become involved in your community. Philanthropy is truly powerful and aw-inspiring precisely because of these reasons– it’s voluntary! Through the goodness of our hearts, through our need to connect, and our desire to see a better world, we join together to improve the quality of life for all people.

On National Philanthropy Day, we say “thank you” for your support. Your involvement—whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, giving, attending an event or showing your support on social media—makes change possible, and makes National Philanthropy Day so special and meaningful.

Today, we recognize YOU for supporting the Town of Palm Beach United Way, and for the thousands assisted by our 47 member agencies. Together, united, we can make change happen and see measureable results. We can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for LIVING UNITED.

THE FACTS

• In Palm Beach County there are more than 49,000 people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. In Martin County there are more than 6,400 people and close to 9,000 people in Saint Lucie County affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
• It is projected that the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could more than triple to 16 million by mid-century.
• An estimated 1 in 8 persons aged 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.
• It is estimated that 1 to 4 family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Although Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, the risk of developing the illness rises with age. Current research from the National Institute on Aging indicates that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
• As our population ages, the disease impacts a greater percentage of Americans. The number of people age 65 and older will more than double between 2000 and 2030 to 70.3 million or 20% of the U.S. population; likewise, those 85 and older will rise two-fold, to 8.9 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
• It is estimated that about a half million Americans younger than age 65 have some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. (This is referred to as young onset or early onset.)

Source: Alzheimer’s Community Care

YOU CAN HELP

• Advocate: Contact your local government officials and let them know how you feel about issues such as…
  • Silver Alert Program
  • Standards of Care for Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Funding local, state and national programs to improve care, education and support for caregiver
• Volunteer: Our member agency, Alzheimer’s Community Care, has a number of volunteer opportunities. Click here to find out more.
• Participate in or host a fundraiser.
• Attend local educational programs and seminars.
• Make a donation.
• Follow Alzheimer’s Community Care on Facebook and Twitter.
• Share this blog with family and friends through social media and email.