Life, Arts & Society ED 7th

courtesy of Lynn University

By Dale King

This past week, Lynn University’s Celebration of Nations brought together a gathering of cultures with diverse activities and rich artistic demonstrations to spread cultural awareness among students, faculty and staff.

The final day of festivities on the university’s Boca Raton campus ended with a Global Village Holiday Market, followed by Lynn’s signature parade of flags and a reflective conversation with social entrepreneur Alia Mahmoud at the Amarnick–Goldstein Concert Hall.

Celebration of Nations week kicked off on Monday, Nov. 29 with henna art and continued with food, music and a performance of Venezuelan music by Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music students.

Culminating on Thursday, Dec. 1, live music filled Christine’s Park as the Social Impact Lab team curated a showcase of organizations that sold exotic jewelry, handwoven attire, spices, paintings and

more to help support their causes in a Global Village Holiday Market.

From global education to combating poverty, there was no shortage of ways to make a difference around the globe. The festival featured organizations such as Fill the Water Tank Project, which sold beadwork created by an all-women’s village in Samburu, Kenya, to help pay for fresh water to keep the village’s only water tank full.

Lynn University holds ‘Celebration of Nations’ to promote cultural awareness YMCA of South Palm Beach County raises $2M

Every sale from Merline’s Caribbean Hot Sauce supported Haiti Partners, an organization designed for children to receive a better education in Haiti. Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC) sold handmade goods to assist children in need in Jacmel, Haiti. Additionally, they also offer them an education and the opportunity to teach socially responsible behaviors through numerous skillsets—baking, sewing, cooking, painting, masonry construction and more.

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s 50th Anniversary Gala held Dec. 3 at The Boca Raton hosted more than 700 people in attendance and raised a record-breaking $2 million for YMCA programs.

YMCA of South Palm Beach County raises $2M at 50th anniversary event

at 50th anniversary event

Photos

Social entrepreneur Alia Mahmoud addresses an audience at the Amarnick–Goldstein Concert Hall.

Boca Raton Historical Society’s ‘Walk of Recognition’ 2022 Ceremony Adds Honorees, Presents Historic Preservation Award to The Addison

Event co-chair Joyce De Vita Event co-chair Marta Batmasian

Michelle and Michael Hagerty

Lynn Russell

Arline and John McNally

Photo showing construction of The Addison 19251926

Steven Abrams (Photo by South Florida Regional Transportation Authority)

Bill & Mary Donnell, Renee Feder, Kathy & Paul Adkins

Every tent in the market received a display demonstrating how organizations fulfilled United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty, quality education, gender equality, reducing inequality within countries, and decent work and economic growth. Cayman Kai, founder of Global Goddess, shared how her organization addressed gender equality to empower women. “We source products created by women around the world that have some kind of social impact attached to them,” said Kai.

“Part of the proceeds support our nonprofit, based in South Africa, which provides, small loans at zero percent interest, business training and mentorship—mostly to women. Ultimately, our business is focused on female empowerment and promoting entrepreneurship.”

The parade of flags, an annual tradition, took center stage during the market, allowing students to hoist their countries’ flags as they proudly circled Christine’s Park. The parade closed with students flying their flags as the Sasa African Dance Theater took the stage and thumped musical beats that resonated across the university.

After the parade of flags, Project Civitas hosted Alia Mahmoud to share her journey with students and reveal the power of sustainable business practices. As the CEO of Fouta Harissa, a social enterprise that designs and produces unique- to-Tunisia handwoven textiles, Mahmoud shared several nuggets of wisdom about her brand that apply to business and life.

“We are still not exactly where we want to be, we’re not perfect,” said Mahmoud.

“Our task is harder because our brand is not common in the U.S. But we continue to focus on the simple versatility and the multifunctionality of the product to attract our customers for a lifetime. That is the main story we share with our customers to find success.” At the end of the speech, Lynn presented Mahmoud with an award for her ability to create and develop a sustainable business. The festivities for Celebration of Nations ended with a spirited cultural campfire in the evening.

By Dale King

This year’s annual “Walk of Recognition” ceremony sponsored by the Boca Raton Historical Society added four new names to the growing list of individuals and organizations who have “served the interest of our community and have enriched the lives of the citizens of Boca Raton.”

The event also included the presentation of a historic preservation award to The Addison restaurant, located in the building that once housed the offices of famed

Boca Raton architect Addison Mizner. Designed by Mizner in 1926, the exquisite and historic venue is considered one of the most important pieces of architecture in South Florida. Initially created as the focal point of real estate operations for the Mizner Development Corporation, Mizner designed The Addison to serve as a visual example for his prospective clients and to house his sales offices, drafting rooms, a small apartment for himself and a restaurant. Modeled after Spanish painter El Greco’s home in Toledo, Spain, The Addison was known to have been one of his favorite buildings.

Today, The Addison building is on the National Register of Historic places, and —under the leadership of Vice President Zoe Lanham — has been fully restored as South Florida’s historic venue and premier wedding and event setting. This year’s “Walk of Recognition” nominees include former Mayor Steven Abrams, philanthropists Arline and John McNally and community activist Lynn Russell. Beginning in 1989, Abrams served the community in many ways. He was first a member of the City Council, then was elected mayor in 2001. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2005 before leaving due to term limits. He was appointed, then elected to the post of District 4 Palm Beach County commissioner and was the first member to serve as county mayor.

He later became executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority which operates Tri-Rail. During his seven years as mayor —the longest te-

nure of anyone since 1950 — Abrams was widely praised for his handling of the anthrax attack following the 9/11 terror attack on the U.S. He spearheaded the annexation of the Town Center area to shore up the city’s tax base and successfully lowered taxes and attracted new business. Current Mayor Scott Singer said Abrams “set the gold standard by which future mayors will be judged through his leadership, outreach, advocacy, and mentorship.”

Steven and his wife, Debbie, a public relations agency executive, have two children. The names of Arline and John McNallywere also added to the “Walk of Recognition.” They have been major supporters of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s “Keeping the Promise” campaign, the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute’s Tree of Hope and League of Ribbons programs. They have also been generous backers of Boca Helping Hands, the American Association of Caregiving Youth, Sweet Dream Makers, JM Lexus Charities, St. Ambrose Catholic Church and The Boys and Girls Club, among others. According to their nomination from the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, the McNallys “are philanthropists who give unconditionally, looking only to make a difference or to improve the lives of others.” Lynn Russell, a Boca resident since 1980, has played a leading role in the development and success of local community gardens, serving as manager and teacher for the Junior League Community Garden at the library. After helping to launch Allen’s Place, a community garden across from Ebenezer Baptist Church, Russell managed the new project, where she set up a permaculture area of young fruit trees and vegetable gardens for residents of Pearl City.

One of the letters nominating her said Russell has given “so generously of her time and expertise (that) highlighting her works could encourage others—retirees and youth—to discover their connection to the soil, to know the joys of harvestingwhat you sow and the satisfaction of contributing to our food supply.”

Parade of Flags (Photo courtesy of Lynn University)

Global Village Holiday Market (Photo courtesy of Lynn University)

Parade of Flags (Photo courtesy of Lynn University)

Boca Raton Historical Society’s ‘Walk of Recognition’ 2022 Ceremony Adds Honorees, Presents Historic Preservation Award to The Addison

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Miniaci, M.D. Deputy Chief Medical Executive

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Anthony

YMCA of South Palm Beach County raises $2M at 50th anniversary event

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s 50th Anniversary Gala held Dec. 3 at The Boca Raton hosted more than 700 people in attendance and raised a record-breaking $2 million for YMCA programs.

“We are so proud of the role that the Y has played in the transformation of the City of Boca Raton over the past 50 years and look forward to even bigger contributions to all ages of our community in the future,” said Terry Fedele, co-chair of the festivities along with her husband, Jerry. The half-century celebration was generously presented by Myrna Gordon Skurnick.

In addition to purchasing four much-needed buses for the Y’s After School and Day Camp programs, funds raised through the gala will support the Myrna Gordon Skurnick Creative Arts Initiative for teens, the Robes Family LIVESTRONG Fund for cancer care programs and six legacy funds in honor of each of six key stakeholders recognized during the anniversary program for their generosity and leadership to the Y.

The six legacy honorees include Mary and Peter Blum, Helen and Richard DeVos, Christine and Eugene Lynn, Charlotte and Melvin Weaver, Henrietta Countess de Hoernle and William B. Ziff, Jr.

“We accomplish our mission every day through the many programs we offer,” stated Jason Hagensick, president and CEO of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County. “But it is the people that have supported us the past 50 years that have made our YMCA what it is today.”

Driven by its founding mission, the YMCA has served as a leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive.

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County serves as a community anchor in Palm Beach County by enriching lives and strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Comprising the YMCA of South Palm Beach County are The Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton, The DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach, THE LAB: YMCA Leadership Academy and the YMCA@901 NCCI.

For more information, visit YMCASPBC.org.

Jerry, Terry Fedele, Al Zucaro, Yvonne Boice, Pat Thomas

Rosemary & Ben Krieger, Pamela Weinroth

Christine Lynn, Terry Fedele

Peter & Mary Blum

Marla Garchik, Terry Fedele

Bebe Mascolo, Terry Fedele, Rich Mascolo

Ed Lundgren, Eleanor Baldwin

YMCA Teens

Bob & Emily Robes

Bill & Mary Donnell, Renee Feder, Kathy & Paul Adkins

Francesca Daniels, Jason Hagensick, Myrna Gordon Skurnick

Jason & Jackie Reeves, John Tolbert, Danielle Rosse

Ron Assaf, Clem Winke

Michelle and Michael HagertySuzanne McCormick, Jason Hagensick

By Dale King