Charity Magazine Spring 2016 by Charity Magazine

SPRING 2016 | TheCharityMag.com

The Arts Applaud Central Florida

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PAQCO SUPPORTS • Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties • Lake County Education Foundation • CFHA • Lake County Junior Club • Lake Sumter State College

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Lumen Vitae Abundantiorem Illuminating the Life Abundant

Beacon College’s distinctive mission focuses on the success of students who learn differently. Our motto — Lumen Vitae Abundantiorem — celebrates our students’ potential and the opportunities that await them. Beacon offers measurable outcomes that our students and their families can count on — from our impressive four-year graduation rate to the achievements of our alumni. We invite you to visit Beacon’s campus — just an hour’s drive from Orlando — to hear about our unique approach to student advisement and support, and learn more about our career-focused four-year degree programs. Business Management • Computer Information Systems (Tracks: Web & Digital Media or Information Systems) • Human Services • Interdisciplinary Studies • Psychology • Studio Arts

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Spring 2016

16 The Arts Applaud Central Florida

Cultural Products – music, performing arts, visual arts – are not only vital to keeping Central Florida healthy, happy and engaged, they are important economically and are critical to the region’s strategic plan to diversify beyond tourism. More...

12 TheCharityMag.com // 4

Departments Publisher’s Note...................................... 6 Editor’s Letter......................................... 8 Continuing the Legacy.......................... 10

12 Confident Kids: How Hoops Life Builds Self Esteem and Social Skills

Confident Kids: How Hoops Life Builds Self Esteem and Social Skills.................12

It may seem like a long way from the courts to the classroom, but Hoops Life kids show how lessons learned in the gym improve their grades. More...

Charity Events...................................... 20

Big IRA Changes Help Philanthropists Plan Ahead ...................................................14 The Arts Applaud Central Florida........... 16

Charity Directory................................... 21

Cover:October 2015’s Orphie and the Book of Heroes. Photo: Michael Cairns, Wet Orange Studio

Early Learning

M A T T E R S CHILDREN ARE THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

80-85% of a person's brain development occurs in the first three years of life. This is the time when a child learns not only language and motor skills, but self-esteem, and social skills like patience, persistence and tolerance. Without the benefit of a high quality early learning program children are more likely to do poorly in school, have difficulties adjusting to their peers and are more likely to be arrested for a violent crime. A high quality learning program can help overcome these obstacles. Early Learning Coalitions across Florida are dedicated to helping families find high quality early learning programs for their children and assisting early learning providers with continuous quality improvement efforts. Delivering high quality services requires knowledge and skill regarding business practice as well as program performance practices, and reaching and retaining high quality service delivery often requires supports beyond those that are available from parent fees. Many families with young children are at the beginning of their wage earning years and struggle to pay for early learning services which can cost more than college tuition. This is where the Coalitions come in. Helping make early learning services... Safe, Affordable and High Quality... so that all children in Central Florida enter school ready.

Early Learning Coalition of Lake County

Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

Early Learning Coalition of Seminole

1300 Citizens Blvd. - Suite 206 Leesburg, Florida 34748

P.O. Box 540387 Orlando, FL 32854

280 Hunt Park Cove Longwood, FL 32750

(352) 530-2547 lbuchbinder@elclc.org www.elclc.org

(407) 259-2468 info@elcoc.org www.elcoc.org

THE COALITIONS ARE FUNDED IN PART BY

(407) 960-2460

jgrant@seminoleearlylearning.org www.seminoleearlylearning.org

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Font: Justus (Altered)

Central Florida

Use for the Editors’s and publisher’s notes

ART:

PUBLISHER Eric English eric@thecharitymag.com EDITOR Steve Blount

LET’S MAKE IT PART OF KIDS LIVES EARLY AND OFTEN If you’ve ever seen a child’s eyes light up when presented with the big box of crayons, or a new watercolor set, you know that art is an important part of growing up. In elementary school I had an inspirational art teacher who left a lasting impression on how I view art and creativity. I can’t say that she was the only reason I now find myself in a creative industry, but her love for art was infectious and created excitement in many students in my class. It’s teachers in our schools, like my elementary art instructor, who create that foundation and passion for art in kids throughout the community. Additionally, many local nonprofit art organizations help carry the torch through solid programs in Central Florida. Many of the smaller art NPOs lost significant funding following the recession in 2008 and still have not completely recovered. At Charity Magazine, we believe that art is a vital need for a community and provides inspiration for the lives of children and adults. While it wasn’t possible to interview every art organization in Central Florida, we found some inspiring stories that are emblematic of the creative work our community is accomplishing. The work that artists and arts organization leaders are doing to improve not just our quality of life but also the region’s economic prospects comes from established NPOs like the Orlando Ballet and extends all the way down to individual artists like Marla E and small foundations like PAM. TheCharityMag.com // 6

WRITERS Pat Burke Rachel Calderon Royce Gomez Connie Kolisnyk CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Williams ART DIRECTOR Betsy Arvelo-Buzbee

All of these artists and leaders were, like me, inspired by someone at an impressionable point in their lives. Central Florida appreciates its arts community, and one thing we can do to give back to them is to ensure that arts education remains in our schools, touching the lives of the next generation of youth, just as it touched mine.

Eric English Publisher

P.O. Box 895251 Leesburg, FL 34789

www.TheCharityMag.com Copyright © 2016 NoGray Media. All rights reserved. Any reproduction or use in whole or part of the content herein is strictly prohibited without written permission from NoGray Media. The publisher accepts no liability for the validity of any claims by advertisers herein. The information in Central Florida Charity Magazine is for informational and entertainment purposes only..

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Who’s Giving To

Whom?

IN RAW ECONOMIC TERMS, EACH DOLLAR INVESTED IN THE ARTS RETURNS MORE THAN FIFTY DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY – BUT THAT’S NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO SUPPORT THEM.

In the press, we often speak about “giving to the arts;” it’s high time we talked about what the arts give to us. In this issue of Charity, we look at arts organizations that — having weathered the econopocalypse of the past decade — are back at work making Central Florida a better and more prosperous place. Despite the tough times, which aren’t completely past, Central Florida’s arts have friends in high places. In January, Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, and The United States Conference of Mayors presented the 2016 Public Arts Leadership Awards to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. He received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of 100,000 or more. Dyer was quick to share credit for Central Florida’s progress. “In Orlando we have worked hard to incorporate the arts into everything we do as a community and increase arts and cultural opportunities for everyone, no matter their income or age,” Dyer said. “This award belongs to every resident, business owner, nonprofit and educational institution who has partnered with us to advance the arts in our community, bringing to Orlando world class community venues like our new performing arts center, iconic public art and growing our burgeoning Downtown sports, arts, and entertainment district.” The region’s political and civic leaders, including Dyer, recognized the role the arts play in growing and sustaining successful cities. Arts are also critical to attracting businesses TheCharityMag.com // 8

and workers from the “new economy,” a shorthand for highwage technology firms. From 2009 to 2013, 75 percent of Central Florida’s new jobs were low-wage service jobs. The arts are part of the path that could lead our kids and grandkids out of fast food gulch and into a future where they can aspire to stable jobs with high wages without leaving for Seattle, Austin or Boston. Oh, and, as an additional benefit, unlike an oil rig or a manufacturing plant, arts organizations make our city a more interesting and fulfilling place to live. That’s a lot of return from a group of activities that are often derided as hobbies or diversions for the rich. Support the arts — the arts are supporting all of us. Steve Blount Editor

Because WHY is the most important question Creative Why chooses the best medium for your message and builds powerful creative to get it into the minds of your audience.

creativewhy.com 352.431.3629 605 W. Magnolia St Leesburg, FL

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

Continuing a

Legacy

THE SITE OF ONE OF LEESBURG’S MOST HISTORIC BUILDINGS WILL BECOME A BEACON OF HOPE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

By Connie Kolisnyk Director of Communications Boys & Girls Club of Lake and Sumter Counties

To younger generations of Leesburg residents, the name “Dabney” is synonymous with the school that served students in Leesburg for nearly 50 years, but the property has an even longer history of providing educational opportunities to Leesburg area youth. In the early 1920s, the piece of land now known as “the Dabney property” was home to the Lake County Training School, the first school in the area to serve black students. It provided educational opportunities for more than 30 years before being torn down and replaced with a new school. The new school was named after John Morgan Dabney, Leesburg’s first black teacher, honoring the location’s history and paying tribute to a local legend known for his dedication to ensuring black students could get an education. Dabney Elementary School opened in 1955, and continuously served the community until it closed in 2004. Since then, the Lake County School Board has struggled to find the right use for the building and property. For a few years, the Educational Foundation of Lake County was based in the former school’s office. Then there was the possibility of converting it into a charter school, and the potential partnership with a college to provide education in medical and other health-related fields. None of these plans panned out, and the building was eventually torn down. With the cleared land up for sale, it began to attract a lot of attention from non-profit and for-profit groups. Enter Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties (BGCLSC). Since relocating to Rogers Park three years ago, the Leesburg Club has had to restrict the number of children served, and now an average of 50 children attend daily. “It’s been frustrating to see our numbers drop, because we know there is so much need in this community for the programs that we provide,” said Kelsey Gonzalez, VP of Operations. BGCLSC kicked off a capital campaign last year after a feasibility study revealed that Leesburg was one of the two areas that community members thought was in desperate need of a TheCharityMag.com // 10

new Clubhouse to serve local youth. School Board member Bill Mathias was the first to propose a possible solution to both problems by putting a Boys & Girls Club on the Dabney property. After six months of discussion, the School Board approved the sale of half of the land to BGCLSC in February. “The Boys & Girls Clubs will be an outstanding partnership to help us meet the needs of our students,” School Board member Marc Dodd said. When the new facility is completed, CEO Freddy Williams projects that the Club will be able to increase average daily attendance five-fold from what the current Club can handle, serving up to 250 kids each day, with a registered membership exceeding 1,000. The building will include expanded classrooms for tutoring and homework assistance, arts programs, robotics and STEM programming, as well as computer labs, a game room, a kitchen to serve daily meals and snacks and dedicated teen space. Staff are trained to plan programs in a way that makes the entire Club a learning center, and every out-of-school moment a learning experience. Studies prove that participation in Boys & Girls Club programs has a substantial economic impact as well. Florida TaxWatch found that taxpayers save more than $9,210 for each student not held back a grade. That means that the community stands to realize a potential tax savings of $2,302,500 from the expanded services provided by BGCLSC. That’s more than $2 million that can be reinvested back into the classrooms to strengthen our schools. To say that Williams is excited about the potential for the new Club would be an understatement. “This is going to be tremendous for our children and our community,” he said. “The fact that we are able to continue the legacy started 100 years ago — providing opportunities for underserved youth — means a lot to our Club and the community.” For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs’ capital campaign, please contact Freddy Williams at (352) 787-5258.

The Green Building • Custom Home Construction • Commercial Building • Remodeling & Additions • Disaster Recover • Insurance Restoration

Experts

What makes a home or project Green?

Building green incorporates total The cost of energy is steadily on the rise and our environmental consideration and resource natural resources steadily on a decline here in the efficiency into every aspect of site and U.S. and around the world. What we do differently construction development. at Eco Construction is take you through every option step by step in terms of how the specific green feature

Beginning with the design phase, the building site, building orientation, construction components, indoor air quality, and energy consumption of the building, are all the components that will positively impact the energy and resources Green building highlights the need to preserve and consumed by the home or commercial protect the environment with building high quality, structure. healthy, and energy efficient homes, while never compromising on final finishes.

would benefit you. We also will validate the collective structure and can provide a HERS Rating/Energy Rating that you can use to get tax credits and help down the road with third party documentation that audits all of the green features which will absolutely provide you a higher resale value.

With a more energy efficient structure creating lower utility bills and reduced maintenance costs it becomes clear why building green the smartest investment you can make. When utilizing the correct green building practices, you can expect a more efficient home, that is more durable, healthier to live in, and will require less maintenance throughout the lifetime of the structure.

EcoConstruction Gives Back We are proud supporters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties and the Educational Foundation of Lake County. These organizations are fundamental to the success of our future. By supporting them, we’re giving hope and support to our kids.

TheCharityMag.com // 11

1224 North Donnelly Street // Mount Dora, Florida 32757 // 352 504-0346 // ecoconstructionllc.com

Confident Kids: How Hoops Life Builds Self Esteem and Social Skills By Pat Burke Owner of HOOPS Life

IT MAY SEEM LIKE A LONG WAY FROM THE COURT TO THE CLASSROOM, BUT HOOPS LIFE KIDS SHOW HOW LESSONS LEARNED IN THE GYM IMPROVE THEIR GRADES. There are children’s voices just outside my office. Parents are sitting and sharing conversation about their day and family. A door opens, a loud burst of noise brings an abrupt halt to the talk. The distant sound of squeaking shoes and balls being bounced enters the room. A HOOPS Life coaches enters and lets out a hearty “Ohhhhhh…... Yeah!”. Everyone recognizes coach Toni. The parents’ light laughter turns into focus upon his entrance. Toni looks towards the parents in the room and brandishes a report card in his hand. In a loud voice, “Really?.....The honor roll?” coach Toni asks a mom. A child’s voice from behind Toni’s 6’6” frame leaks out, “The first time…. EVER…. on the honor roll too!”. TheCharityMag.com // 12

Josh steps out from behind his HOOPS Life coach, and shares a smile from ear to ear. His confidence in this moment allows him to check in with everyone’s eyes. The room fills with smiles and congratulations pour out for him. This is a different Josh from the one who started HOOPS Life a few months ago. Josh has been transformed over this past school year. Josh’s story is from the HOOPS Life program winter session. It shares the HOOPS Life program at a glimpse: Support, achievement, confidence, leadership, family. Family? Yes, family. A strong team is a family. HOOPSPatBurke.com / (352) 253-4667

The HOOPS Life stories of children achieving more at home and school are growing each session. Our approach to assisting youth, is a focus on “how.” The HOOPS Life program has developed a culture of children, coaches, team and family. It is not a focus solely on end results that defines individual or team success. Instead, the focus provides a magnifying glass on “how” we are working together to achieve a common goal. To really appreciate the HOOPS Life story of coach Toni and Josh, you would have to know how it started. You see, I knew this boy named Josh awhile back who wouldn’t dream to step out on a basketball court and play with others. He wouldn’t look you in the eye and shake your hand, let alone ask you how your day was going. He wouldn’t ask for assistance and would barely accept any assistance for that matter either. There is a new Josh. This Josh has gained valuable life lessons and self-awareness. He understands how his choices impact the people in his life. He has become a leader, a communicator, a friend, a team, and a vital part of our HOOPS Life family.

PHOTOS: BRIAN WILLIAMS

Right: Pat Burke. Below: Coach Toni.

TheCharityMag.com // 13

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CENTRAL FLORIDA FOUNDATION

Big IRA Changes Help Philanthropists

Plan Ahead

THE CHARITABLE ROLLOVER PROVISION MADE PERMANENT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR INCREASES FLEXIBILITY FOR DONORS AND EVEN HAS SOME TAX ADVANTAGES. By Rachel Calderon

At the end of 2015, the IRA charitable rollover was signed into permanent law. This is a big step in philanthropy and makes it easier for people like you to invest in your community. It’s a win-win for local philanthropist, planned giving advocate and former Associate Vice President of Development at Rollins College Elizabeth Brothers. “The IRA rollover is a benefit to the donor and Central Florida Foundation if you don’t need the income and want to save on taxes,” says Elizabeth. “After I established my fund at the Foundation in 1998, I made the commitment to add to it each year. Some years I contribute long-term appreciated stock and other years I give the IRA rollover. The IRA rollover is an excellent choice, especially now that it’s here to stay.” How does the IRA rollover work? If you or one of your family members are age 70 1/2 or older, contributions up to $100,000 per year made from your IRA to Central Florida Foundation are not reported as taxable income. A contribution made from your IRA also qualifies as your required minimum distribution (RMD) which can lower your income and taxes. Now that the rollover is permanent, you can make decisions about your RMD earlier in the year, instead of waiting until the last minute to see if Congress extends the program. As with anything this wonderful, there are a few things to keep in mind: Contributions from an IRA cannot be made to donor-advised funds, contributions cannot exceed $100,000 per year and you must be 70 1/2 or older. So what can you do with your RMD at Central Florida Foundation? First, you can create an endowment fund. Setting up a fund that will support the community now and in the future is probably easier than you think. An endowment ensures there is a consistent and permanent source of revenue to address future community needs. TheCharityMag.com // 14

If you’re not ready to create your own endowment fund, give to one of our existing funds. Central Florida Foundation holds endowment funds for over 80 nonprofits in our region. Invest in the sustainability of a nonprofit you’re committed to, or discover a new endowment fund that aligns with your interests. Maybe you’re looking to be a part of something bigger in the community. Central Florida Foundation reaches so many areas of our community through initiatives like student-led grant-making, women’s giving circles, Impact Funds, Entrepreneurs in Action, scholarships and more. Join us in making Central Florida a better place to live. Do you want to invest in your community with Central Florida Foundation and you’re not 70 1/2 or older? There is always a place for you. Let’s connect to help you start investing in what matters most to you.

Learn more at cffound.org or call us at 407.872.3050.

The arts. Powered by Duke Energy.

Inspiration can come at any age. We support arts education and cultural programs that nurture creativity and bring talent to life. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of our commitment to the communities we serve.

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THE ARTS APPLAUD

CENTRAL FLORID

CULTURAL PRODUCTS — MUSIC, PERFORMING ARTS, VISUAL ARTS – NOT ONLY VITAL TO KEEPING CENTRAL FLORIDA HEALTHY, HAPPY A ENGAGED, THEY ARE IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY AND ARE CRITICAL THE REGION’S STRATEGIC PLAN TO DIVERSIFY BEYOND TOURISM.

Written by Royce Gomez

TheCharityMag.com // 16

ARE AND L TO

On the surface, it’s a bit hard to see the how a ballerina and a home builder are alike, but both are economic engines. While one creates structures that protect life and property, the other engages the senses and creates experiences to make that protected life worth living. Of course, not everyone enjoys the ballet, but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t consume some kind of cultural product — music, film, theater, art. That consumption is a major part of both the U.S. and regional economies. According to the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and cultural products account for more than a half-trillion dollar chunk of the U.S. economy — $504 billion — about 3.2 percent of the total. By contrast, travel and tourism account for 2.8 percent of the total economy. And while cultural exports took a hit during the recent recession, they have rebounded and exports of cultural products now exceed imports, generating a net surplus of revenue for the U.S. While this has very obviously been good news for established cultural products hubs like New York and Los Angeles, it’s also good news for regions like Central Florida who have begun focusing more community resources on supporting culture. That focus has not come without controversy, and while various arguments have been advanced to support it, two that resonate strongly fall under the businesslike acronyms ROI and QOL. Many studies have been done on the economic return on investments in cultural products, but returns in the neighborhood of 50:1 are common: For every dollar a community invests in the arts, it receives $50 in measurable benefits. Which brings us to QOL, quality of life: The proven impact of art to make life in a community happier, more interesting and more fulfilling

Painting by Marla E. Smith designed for New Hope for Kids.

TheCharityMag.com // 18

QOL itself turns out to have an ROI, as future-oriented industries like software development, technological research and digital media cluster where they can find workers. And those workers, it turns out, cluster in communities that support active arts communities. That support is even more vital in regions, like Central Florida, whose cultural legacies are measured in decades instead of centuries. As it has transformed itself from a center of ranching in farming into a world-class hospitality and entertainment hub and a player in the “new” economy, Central Florida has struggled to match its economic growth with a similar growth in cultural production. Until recently. That growing community focus on arts is paying off, and our arts organizations have worked hard to provide education, entertainment, career options, and quality family time for the region. This has come about through the efforts of dedicated and, often, underappreciated organizations and people who have built bridges to new audiences. At the Orlando Ballet, artistic director Robert Hill blends modern entertainment and traditional classics in the ballet performances he chooses each season. Offering something for a diversity of tastes draws a wide. Hill collaborates with the Orlando Philharmonic and the Bach Festival among others; he will add the Orlando Rep to that list in the near future, and Hill has proven adept at bringing world-class talent to Central Florida. Developing audiences and bringing them superior talent is one key to establishing a base of stakeholders committed to financially supporting a robust schedule of programing in Central Florida. Hill says his role is to be a“cultural ambassador” for the region, and he travels with his troupe to New York and other areas to spread the word about Central Florida’s burgeoning cultural scene. This year the Orlando Ballet is finishing the season with a performance of Beauty and the Beast, produced by local

talent Arcadian Broad, a rising star at only 20 years old. Another Central Florida arts organization making a splash with a wide audience is the Orlando Repertory Theatre. In addition to traditional performances, the REP provides special programming for “sensory sensitive” (autistic) youth and at risk youth. Jeff Revels, the Artistic Director, and Gene Columbus, the Executive Director, work hard to offer performances that reach diverse audiences. Revels shared that his inspiration is “thinking back to the first time I read a story and imagining 15,000 people experiencing it at the REP.” If he can visualize them receiving an interpretation of the story with applause, he considers adding it to the schedule of shows for the upcoming season. There is a strong commitment to the community from our arts organizations; they believe in giving back as cultural ambassadors. The REP works with Edgewood Children’s Ranch to provide more than 70 children the opportunity to produce and perform a play in front of Orlando audiences. In addition, “No Empty Bus,” a program that reaches Title 1 schools, gives students from less privileged school a field trip to the theater and the opportunity to experience a live performance. For many, it’s their first. We are truly in “the Golden Age of theater audiences”, quips Columbus of the REP, reaching the Central Florida community in new and innovative ways. Marla E, a local artist, shares the importance of the arts from a different perspective. As a lifelong artist, inspired by her mother, she paints, sculpts, and teaches fine arts at the Maitland Arts Center. Her talents have been the highlight of fundraising events. For nearly a decade, Marla has helped raise funds for New Hope for Kids and other organizations. She began by donating a piece of art for a New Hope for Kids fundraiser. The following year she was asked to design their event invitations. This has grown into a partnership that has continued for nearly ten years, showing how the arts impact the philanthropic community in ways we may not recognize. So the next time you see a ballerina, enjoy the show — but also try to see her not just as a beautiful expression of the human spirit, but as a crucial element in our regional well-being.

March 2016’s Skippyjon Jones Photo: Ashley Willsey

WE LOVE PAM Performing Arts of Maitland is a non-profit organization, founded by Jeff and Jane Flowers, both volunteers for the organization. PAM’s capacity to produce high quality arts outcomes is well established. It has produced over 1000 arts-related events ranging from the Maitland Symphony Orchestra performances to outreach programs in assisted living facilities. The organization supports Maitland Symphony Orchestra, Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Maitland Market Music, Maitland Stage Band, Maitland Poets and Writers, PAMCares, and most recently the Creative Arts for Life program. PAMCares is a musical outreach program performing at Assisted Living Facilities in Orange and Seminole Counties, and provides CD’s and DVD’s of PAM performances for those whom may not be able to attend concerts. In December, PAM supported 18 music groups that each performed one-hour concerts at area assisted living facilities including Savanna Court, Horizon Bay, Indigo Palms, Lake Mary Rehabilitation Center and others. Residents await their arrival, lining up to get front row seats. The “Boys from PAM” is a trio or quartet that hands out words to the music for sing alongs. Piano man, Robert Kastrinos, sees first-hand the profound impact music has on the residents in the Memory Care Units as they respond with a foot tap or nod their heads as the music plays.

Here is one of Robert’s most memorable moments: “It was a fun month at the ALFs. I had an interesting thing happen last Sunday. My favorite fan, Mary, wasn’t there when I was setting up. She is always there to greet me with a hug and kiss on the cheek. The delay was because her electric wheel chair died. She arrived with her walker, about half way through my first song. Mary came up from behind and surprised me with a big kiss right on my mouth! I had to stop for two beats and catch my breath. I still laugh every time I think about it. I’m pretty sure that is the first time I have EVER been kissed while I was playing the piano. When I told my wife, she thought it was adorable.” Participation in the arts has been shown to improve and promote memory, motor skills, cognitive problem solving, physical wellness, selfesteem, self-expression and social engagement. PAM’s newest group, Creative Arts for Life creates opportunity for older adults to continue their personal growth while providing meaningful service to our community. CAL facilitates a school of the arts for seniors to participate in a dance, art, theater, choir, music, creative writing and other art forms. Current instructors for the current eight-week semester are: Marla E for Art, Niki Lin for Dance and Betsy Bone for Music. TheCharityMag.com // 19

Right: UCF Assistant Vice President Paul Lartonoix, REP Development Director Vicki Landon at July 2015 fundraiser event: Mary Poppins

Left: Florida Blue Senior Director, Market Management Tanya Easterling, Santa, and Alliance Global Insurance Group Broker Wayne Easterling at The REPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature fundraising event: The Holiday Family Gala

CHARITY EVENTS Visit thecharitymag.com/events

CHARITY DIRECTORY

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