Page 14 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - July '20

Page 14, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Ibis Friends Of Veterans Presents $150,000 To Local Charities

Every year the Ibis Friends of Veterans (IFOV) holds a golf individual donations have decreased substantially or
tournament at The Club at Ibis to raise money to provide financial are nonexistent,” Durkee said. “Having a community
support and services for veterans in Palm Beach County. like The Club at Ibis, that is so giving, even though they
This year’s charity tournament in April was canceled because had to cancel the event, is a big deal for our veterans
of the coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t stop Ibis Friends of who are struggling. They know a community like Ibis
Veterans from raising almost $150,000 that were distributed to will continue to have their backs.”
four local charitable organizations who support former military And, hopefully, veterans will continue to have a
personnel June 18 at The Club at Ibis. safe place to live and be with their families.
“A lot of people who signed up for the golf tournament just “It takes a lot less money to keep veterans in their
told us to keep their money,” said Harvey Gingold, IFOV’s homes than to get them off the street,” Durkee said.
chairman of the board. “Given these times, when there are a lot “And it’s a lot less stress on them. It keeps families
people who are not working, can’t put food on the table and can’t together.”
pay the rent, it’s even more critical to help out our veterans. About The Ibis Friends Of Veterans
“In our eight years of supporting the local military, the Ibis The Ibis Friends of Veterans (IFOV) was founded Ana Thomas from Palm Beach State College; Roy Foster from Stand
Friends of Veterans has raised almost $900,000. We’re fortunate in 2012 with a singular goal of raising funds for Down House; Harvey Gingold, the chair of the Ibis Friends of Veterans;
to have some very generous residents at The Club at Ibis.” local charitable organizations providing support and Bill Emerson, board member of Ibis Friends of Veterans; and Mike
The nearly $150,000 will be distributed among four military- services for veterans in need who reside in Palm Beach Durkee from Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
support organizations: The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund to County. IFOV has raised almost $900,000 since its
assist veterans in financial stress, Stand Down House that takes inception. The IFOV is totally managed by Club at Ibis volunteers and expansion to include three new dining venues and banquet
homeless veterans off the streets, Paws 4 Liberty that provides and its administrative costs are less than 2 percent of net funds accommodations. A sports village opened in 2014 to include
veterans with support dogs and the Palm Beach State’s veterans raised. fitness facilities, pools, a 4,500-square-foot spa and a yoga
Research Center to assist student veterans. About The Club At Ibis wall. The 16-court tennis center holds friendly tournaments and
Mike Durkee, executive director of the Wounded Veterans Ibis is a gated collection of 33 distinctly different weekly group play. Golf is center stage and offers 54 holes on
Relief Fund, said the donation from Ibis Friends of Veterans neighborhoods, located on the quiet edge of northern West three Nicklaus family-designed championship golf courses. Top
comes at a crucial time because of the economic hardship caused Palm Beach and just minutes from the heart of the city. It is golf instruction is headed by Martin Hall, ranked by Golf Digest
by the coronavirus pandemic. His program assists more than 400 adjacent to the pristine Grassy Waters Nature Preserve, a 12,000- as one of the game’s Top 50 instructors. For more information
veterans every year. acre, state-protected preserve, with wildlife, birds and tropical call (561) 625-8500 or visit www.clubatibis.com.
“We have had to make adjustments in a lot of areas because vegetation. The clubhouse completed a major enhancement
Tax Talk

Dear Friends, Comprehensive List Of Resources For Those Senior Citizens
As I write this message our Affected By Pandemic • Area Agency on Aging
nation is experiencing one of Helpline at (866) 684-5885
the most difficult chapters in COVID-19 Testing for assistance with food,
its history. More than 110,000 • Palm Beach County Public Health Information at (561) electricity bills, Medicare and
people in the United States 712-6400 or public@pbcgov.org caregiver resources
have died from COVID-19 • FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, call (561) 642-1000. • 211’s Sunshine is a free
including over 400 in Palm • South County Civic Center, call (800) 209-7919 program that provides a daily phone call with a friendly hello
Beach County. As we continue • Belle Glade: Primary Care Clinic, call (561) 642-1000 and well-being check for seniors who are feeling isolated and
to face record unemployment • List of over 60 local testing sites at http://discover.pbcgov. alone. Call 211 or visit the website at https://211palmbeach.
and businesses struggle to org/coronavirus org/seniors.
reopen, I have put together a • Homebound residents may call the Palm Beach County Mental Health Resources
comprehensive list of resources that can help. Please share this Emergency Information Center (EIC) at (561) 712-6400 for • Palm Beach County Youth Services provides free telemental
information with your friends and neighbors – anyone who a prequalifying assessment for in-home testing. health services for children and families by calling (561)
needs a hand during this difficult time. Hunger Relief 242-5714.
On a brighter note, I am excited to let you know we • School District of Palm Beach County summer feeding • Anyone experiencing stress, anxiety and fear due to
launched an entirely redesigned website for the agency at program at 50+ school feeding sites COVID-19 may call the Catholic Charities Counseling
www.pbctax.com. The new design is ADA compliant and • Food assistance through the Department of Children and Program hotline at (844) 848-6777.
mobile responsive, making it easier for everyone to use. Families
A friendly reminder our offices will be closed Friday, July Veterans Local Business Tax Collection Begins
3 for the holiday. Have a safe and fun July 4th! • Veterans with COVID-19 symptoms should call the VA
Sincerely, Medical Center, (561) 422-8262. Business owners must pay local business tax at www.
Anne M. Gannon, • Veterans in distress should call the VA 24-hour hotline at pbctax.com July 1 through Sept. 30. Property owners offering
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County (800) 273-8255 or text 838255. short term rentals are required to obtain a local business
• List of smartphone apps for self-help and coping strategies tax receipt for each rental unit. Check with your local
Tax Collector’s Office Helps Business Owners at www.mobile.va.gov/appstore/all municipality for additional business tax payment information
Apply For County Business Grants • VA-specific information at the U.S. Department of Veterans requirements.
Affairs COVID-19 web page
From May 22 to Unemployment Assistance Important Dates And Deadlines
June 12, our agency • Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program or call
was proud to help local 1-800-204-2418 July 1 Local business tax collection begins
business owners apply • Paper applications in English, Spanish and Creole are July 3 Independence Day Holiday, offices closed
for financial assistance available at all FedEx office locations. July 4 Independence Day
through the Palm • Get help finding a job through CareerSource West Palm July 20 Deadline to register or change party
Beach County CARES Beach. Aug. 18 2020 Primary election: Election Day
Restart Business Grants
Program. The program “Service is our number one priority”
dedicated $60 million
in federal dollars to local 561-743-0070
businesses impacted
by the pandemic. www.palmspoolservices.com
Most of the funding is
earmarked for small
businesses with 25 or
fewer employees.
Applicants were required to provide a copy of their local
business tax receipt, a document that many business owners
had misplaced. On May 22, the first day of the application
period, clients came to our administrative office in the
Governmental Center seeking help.
At the time, our office was still closed due to the
pandemic. Tax Collector Gannon worked with county
officials and building security to safely admit clients. Once
inside, our team went to work helping numerous business
owners get their business tax receipt so they could apply
for this important grant. Expires 7/31/20.
The county may reopen applications depending on
how much money it disburses. For more information, State Licensed & Insured
please visit Palm Beach County’s Housing and Economic Serving Palm Beach County CPC # 1457468 • LPG#30099
Sustainability webpage.