Community News

The Boca Raton Tribune C O M M U N I T Y

Boc a West Countr y Club Breaks Ground on New Habitat for Humanity Home in Delray Boca Children’s Charity Announces New Board Chair, Volunteer Pick and Chamber Festival Days Fundraiser

Boca West Country Club helped break ground last week on a new Habitat for Humanity home for the deser ving Jackson family, natives of the area who had a long-time dream of being Delray Beach homeowners. Boca West ser ved as t h e H o m e S p o nsor, along with the Knight Group and in partnership with the City of Delray Beach and the Delray Beach CRA.

The home, located at 242 NW 6th Avenue, is the 1 2 t h l o c a l H a b itat for Humanity home sponsored by Boca West Country Club over the last 1 0 y e a r s, h e l p i n g to provide affordable homes earned by a hard-working family.

De’Vonta Jackson and Myshayla Wilfork are a young married couple with four children, Za’nyah (11), De’Vonta Jr. (6), De’Layah (4), and De’Mani (10 months). Myshayla was born and raised in Delray Beach and works as a cake decorator at Publix. De’Vonta was born in Boynton Beach and grew up in Delray. He is cur-

rently in the market for a job and hopes to receive an offer soon. “It is our honor to help the Jackson family achieve their d r e a m o f h o m e ownership in partnership with Habi t a t f o r H u m a n ity,” said Matthew “It is our honor to help Linder man, CCM, P r e s i d e n t , C O O the Jackson family and General Manachieve their dream ager of Boca West Country Club. “We of home ownership have established a in partnership with legacy of investing in community proHabitat for Humanity,” grams that have the p owe r t o ch a n g e lives. Meeting this young family was so g r a ti fyi n g a n d we were very grateful to be a part of this.” The Jackson family put in 600 hours of “sweat equity” working on their home throughout the constr uction process along with Habitat volunteers. The family also met the Habitat homeowner requirements of attending workshops that address financial literacy, cleanliness and home maintenance, effective parenting, hurricane preparation, energ y conser vation, and more.

A Boca Raton-based children’s charity is announcing retired reporter Marci Shatzman as their nominee for the 2022 Junior League.

In related news, Debralyn Belletieri, the Junior League’s 2021 overall Woman Volunteer of the Year, is the new board of director’s chair for The American Association of Caregiving Youth, known as AACY.

AACY identifies and supports middle and high school students who take full-time care of family members at home. AACY provides direct services to more than 500 students in 35 schools in Palm Beach County.

The Junior League of Boca Raton’s 35th Annual “Woman Volunteer of the Year” award luncheon Friday, Nov. 4 at Boca West Country Club recognizes women volunteers for their outstanding dedication and contributions to their non-profit organizations. “Marci has been sharing her skills and advice to help spread the word about what AACY does to promote more awareness and increase our donations since we don’t get government funding,” says Dr. Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, Founder and President of AACY. “She attended our recent successful conference and advises our marketing guru on follow-up and sourcing.”

Belletieri has been an active AACY volunteer and on the Board of Directors for nine years. In her new role, she’ll be working ‘behind-the-scenes’ on AACY’s annual Hearts & “Soles”. A popular fundraising gala, Hearts & “Soles” is back this year with a Western twist. Hearts & “Soles” is coming back this October 14th at Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL. Tickets are $200 each and will benefit programs and services for Caregiving Youth. This event will be chaired by Jeff and Gay Gordon, both longtime supporters of atrisk youth. Joining them as honorary chair will be Robin Bernstein, former U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and former Caregiving Youth. Hearts & “Soles” will feature a very special guest Emcee, Frank McKinney, a 7x bestselling author, real estate artist, and philanthro-capitalist. You can learn more about this event and purchase tickets by visiting www.aacy.org

For mer longtime Board Chair Rosie Inguanzo-Martin will remain on AACY’s board of directors. Martin is the Founder, President, and CEO of Allegiance Home Health & Rehab. Allegiance is sponsoring this year’s 20 Boca Chamber Festival Days in August.

AACY’s Festival Days event, Celebrity Game Night, is Aug. 29 at 6pm at Crazy Uncle Mike’s, 6450 N. Federal Highway Boca Raton, $25 per person https://aacy.org/ events/celebrity-game-night-2022/. Buy a ticket to watch teams vie to win a wild trivia contest! This fun-filled game night will be hosted by PBC Mayor Robert Weinroth and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Former Boc a Raton Mayor Passes Away at 77 PBSC and Skidmore par tnership help make clothing drive a success

Susan Slade Whelchel, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 5, 2022 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born the youngest daughter on August 13, 1944 to Flora and Tom Slade in Baxley, Georgia. Her siblings (predeceased) were Tom Slade, Joanne Sawyer, and Flo O’Brien. She soon moved to Starke, Florida where she graduated from Bradford County High School. She graduated from Jacksonville University with a degree in political science and did post graduate work at Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University. While in Jacksonville, she met her husband, John Whelchel and married in 1968. They started their family in Sanford, Florida and ultimately relocated to Boca Raton, Florida in 1978.

Susan was a s t r o n g b eliever in education. She enjoyed a 30-year teaching career w h i ch c u l m in a t e d a t B oca Raton High S c h o o l . S usan was heavily involved in the Boca Raton community though nonp r o f i t s a n d other organizations. One that was ver y near and dear to her hear t was the Junior League of Boca Raton where she was named Woman Vo l u n t e e r o f the year in 2016. Her Jr. League service and love of the community lead her into Boca Raton politics which began in 1995. Susan was elected to the Boca Raton City Council and served three terms where she served as Deputy Mayor and was Vice-Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency. Susan was appointed by then, Governor Jeb Bush, to a two-year term on the Palm Beach County School Board, where she served with distinction and successfully enabled a renewed focus and commitment to our local schools. Susan was most proud of her work in helping to establish Don Estridge Middle School, a high-tech choice public school. Susan was elected the Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 and was re-elected and served a second term. Being term limited, Susan retired from politics in 2014.

One of Susan’s trademark initiatives was to create a world class community. She had a vision to bring quality education, excellent medical facilities, higher learning opportunities, adequate recreational facilities, public parks and nature centers to the city. She helped Boca achieve its goal in 2015 when Boca Raton was named the 11th best city in the country.

Susan was an active and dedicated volunteer for over 30 years. In addition to her public service, Susan spent thousands of hours volunteering in over 30 volunteer organizations.

Susan put Jesus and family first. She was a long-time member and leader at Grace Community Church. She served as a deacon and elder and served on various committees within the church. Like her sisters, Joanne and Flora, she believed life was an amazing journey and participated passionately in everything that held her interest. As a child she was an amazing water skier and had a love of horses. She was a member Delta Delta Delta sorority at Jacksonville University. She w a s a c o mpetitive tennis player at Boca Del Mar, Boca Bath and Tennis, and Royal Palm Countr y Club. She l o ve d b o o k s, learning, had a love for dogs, w a s a m a r at h o n b r i d g e player, enjoyed h e r i n v e s t m e n t “ B l u s h G r o u p ” , a n d played golf to k e e p i n l i n e with her husb a n d , Jo h n’s p a s s i o n . S h e e n j o y e d e ntertaining and h o s t i n g n umerous parties. You could always count on Susan to be the first and the last one on the dance floor. She was an involved and tenacious mother, loving grandmother, devoted daughter and wife. She adored her 4 children and 10 grandchildren and always insisted on yearly family vacations, matching PJ’s on Christmas Eve, and balloons at every birthday party.

Susan is sur vived by her loving husband of 52 years, John, her four children, Joanne Jackson and her husband Tracey, Jay Whelchel and his wife Melissa, her son Matthew Whelchel and his wife Kimmie, her daughter Kristy Hatofilis and her husband Nick, her grandchildren Haley, Davis, Makayla, Mary, Jack, Maddie, Vivi, Nick, Mira, 10 nieces and nephews and an abundance of very special friends.

Visitation at Babione Funeral Home, 1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 4:00 – 6:00. Funeral services will be held at 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, August 12, 2022 at Grace Community Church, 600 West Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 with Pastor Jason Whitener officiating.

Florida State Rep. and Palm Beach State College alumna Kelly Skidmore visited PSBC’s Lake Worth campus on Aug. 3 to present items collected from a clothing drive she conducted to benefit Panther’s Closet, a thrift store t h a t p r ov i d e s a ffordable gently used clothing and accessories to students and members of the PBSC community.

S k i d m o r e brought more than 200 items that were dropped off at her office in Boca Raton. The clothing drive was held from July 1 to 27. In addition to Skidmore’s office, hundreds of donations were collected at Panther’s Closet on PBSC’s Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Belle Glade campuses. Merchandise can be purchased at the closets for $1 per item.

Panther’s Closet is run by PBSC student volunteers from the Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College, as a community-based learning course that teaches them key entrepreneurial skills in management, sales and team building.

“We are so excited to have participated with PBSC on this venture to help students be prepared for a job interview or their first day of work,” said Skidmore. “It also taught students how to run a business, take care of it and be passionate about it, which is a great service.”

One of those students is Ashley Castillo, a Palm Springs resident who has served as the manager for the Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens closets this summer. Castillo, who was voted by her peers to serve in the role, says it has been an enjoyable experience that she will include on her resume for future jobs. “I feel like you g et to lear n customer ser vice real-

Panther’s Closet is ly well and how to b e p r o f e s s i o n a l ,” run by PBSC student said Castillo, who is volunteers from the pursuing a career in respiratory therapy.

Dr. Floyd F. Koch A n o t h e r s t uHonors College, as a dent, Areema Sadik, enjoys working community-based at the closet because learning course that of the impact it has on the PBSC comteaches them key munity. entrepreneurial skills “It is a lot of f u n j u s t s e e i n g in management, sales h o w h a p p y c u sand team building. t o m e r s a r e w h e n t h e y f i n d s o m ething they want at s u ch a g r e a t b a rg a i n ,” s a i d S a d i k , who lives in West Palm Beach. “I feel like I’m privileged compared to a lot of people so having a store like this for them is a g reat asset.” Skidmore also toured Panther’s Pantry, a free resource for PBSC students and staff that provides canned food, frozen meat, fresh produce, snacks and toiletries. “We are so grateful that Rep. Skidmore and her team partnered with us to help our PBSC Panther community,” said Marcella Montesinos, director of the Dr. Floyd F. Koch Honors College. “It’s partnerships such as these that help support student success.” Also in attendance at the event was Florida District 81 aide Khadeidra Willis and Dr. Peter Barbatis, vice president of student services and enrollment management.

A Pillar of Boc a Raton Community Patricia Carpenter Passes Away

Patricia (Patti) Payne Carpenter, born November 1, 1947, passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2022, surrounded by her family and friends.

A devoted, loving daughter, mother, and g randmother, Mrs. Car penter is sur vived by her cherished son, Todd Payne, daughter-in-law, Allison Payne, and g randdaughter, Devyn Payne. She is predeceased by her beloved husband William K. Carpenter and mother Eleanor C. Payne. As an ever-present pillar of the Boca Raton community, those who knew her and have worked alongside her on a variety of charitable missions will greatly miss her passionate drive, “handson” leadership, genuineness, authenticity, compassion, kindness, generosity of self, signature style, hospitality, and keen sense of humor.

Born in New York City on November 1, 1947 and raised in Riverdale, NY, Patti attended Marymount Schools, The Gerard School for Girls, and The Sacred Heart of Mary Academy.

Since she relocated to Boca Raton, Florida in 1970, Mrs. Carpenter was a devout supporter of many community charitable organizations for five decades. Early on she ser ving on the Board of Boca Helping Hands and hosting the first major fundraiser for Kids in New Directions (KIND). Mrs. Carpenter served on the regional advisory board for Deliver the Dream, a respite and retreat program serving families facing serious illness or crisis by helping them to enhance coping skills, reduce stress, and cultivate relationships. She has also served as Chair for the Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament and twice as Chair of the Lynn University Ball. She also supported the Junior League of Boca Raton that recognized her a s Wo m a n V o l u n t e e r of the Year i n 2 0 0 1 . M r s . C a rp e n t e r h a s s e r v e d a s President of t h e B o a r d of the Center for Fami l y S e r v i ce s , S o u t h County, was Chair of the 2005 Boca Raton Regional Hospital Ball, and has been involved in many events hosted by the Boca Raton Historical Society.

Mrs. Carpenter graciously opened her home to host countless events for charities, including The Boca Raton Symphonia, The American Cancer Society, The Migrant Association of South Florida, Boca Helping Hands, and The Hospice Building Fund. She eloquently took the floor as a dancer for Boca Ballroom Battle that supports the George Snow Scholarship Fund and stepped up as a Habitat for Humanity Women Builder.

Most notably, Mrs. Car penter has been a long and trusted supporter of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, g raciously and proudly serving as Chair for its annual GO Pink L u n c h e o n for 19 cons e c u t i v e y e a r s. H e r v o i c e a n d we l l - r e c o gn i z e d f a c e h e l p e d t o g r o w t h e c o m m u n i t y ’s s i g n at u r e e v e n t into one of t h e m o s t highly antici p a t e d a n d well-attended women’s health and breast cancer awareness g atherings in South Florida. Because of her suppor t, Mrs. Carpenter’s tireless efforts have helped Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation to raise over $13 million so that the hospital has been able to acquire stateof-the-art technolog y and equipment to aid in both the detection and treatment of breast cancer, and provide related programs and services. Mrs. Carpenter established the William K. Carpenter Nursing Education Fund at Boca Raton Regional Hospital that supports continuing education, funding for nursing certifications, and tuition reimbursements.

Throughout the years, Mrs. Carpenter’s commitment and dedication to raising the public’s awareness of breast cancer prevention has enabled The Schmidt Family Center for Breast Care and the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute to reach tens of thousands of women annually, sav-

ing countless lives.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 370 SW 3rd Street, Boca Raton, FL 33432 on Saturday, August 20 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in

Mrs. Carpenter’s honor may be made to GO PINK, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, 800 Meadows Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486. http://donate.brrh. com/PattiCarpenter

Patricia (Patti) Payne Carpenter, born November 1, 1947, passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2022