Page 3 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - February '21
P. 3
Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 3
WILD Pants from page 1
Wounded Veterans Relief Fund Telethon from page 1
social media and personal outreach to
achieve lofty fundraising goals. WILD signature event is its annual ball, which, like many
Wednesday sponsors, including Pratt & large events in 2020, was canceled. This was potentially
Whitney and the Gehring Group, assisted disastrous for the organization. “The ball is our largest
The Arc in surpassing their largest WILD fundraiser of the year and we heavily rely on the funds
Pants fundraising goal to date, helping raised during the ball to help support the disabled
individuals with disabilities live their veterans here in Florida,” confides Caitlin Cronin,
fullest lives. WVRF staff member.
About The Arc Of Palm Beach County But where there is a will, there is a way. Shannon
The Arc is changing the conversation Cake, WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchorwoman, is a usual
around disabilities by defying definitions, master of ceremonies for the ball. When the event was
inspiring possibilities, and improving the canceled, she had the brilliant idea to host a telethon. This
lives of the people we serve, their families, event occurred on Dec. 9, 2020 on WPTV from 6 a.m. to
and our community. Since 1958, The Arc 8 p.m. Shannon Cake hosted the telethon, accompanied
has envisioned a community where every by Brian Edwards, senior vice president of development
person feels welcome, connected, and of the United Way of Palm Beach County. WVRF staff
accepted. is thrilled to have met a match during the telethon to a
$50,000 donation from an anonymous foundation. One
Photos by Tracey Benson Photography Jessica McCarten Cathy Law staff member, Alana, speaks her gratitude, “It could be a
tank of gas to you, but it could mean keeping the lights
on for a veteran.”
The funds raised will be used in essential ways,
especially because 86 percent of donations go directly
to veterans. Upon their return to civilian life, veterans
are often faced with many barriers to their transition.
Suicides and homelessness are two real and common
threats. Michael reveals that “there are 22 suicides per
day” and that the organization “provides the critical
support needed to keep our veterans and their families
in their homes.” To prevent homelessness, WVRF offers
housing assistance in various forms: immediate shelter,
rental assistance, eviction prevention, emergency home
repairs, and assistance with utilities.
Many veterans are proud and hesitate to seek
help, and as one says, “To ask for help means that
I have failed.” However, one WVRF staff member
emphasizes, “They have earned the right to ask for
our help.” In addition to meeting its fundraising goal,
WVRF staff embodied the December holiday spirit
when they surprised a veteran, a single mother of three
children, with a month of housing assistance, a $250
Publix gift card, and $100 Target gift card.
One hallmark of WVRF is its ability to help veterans
Tyson and Ender Mutchler Kurt Gehring, Jessica Gehring Frank Cooney quickly. In fact, during the telethon, while a veteran was
making a donation, he learned about the pilot dental
program, WVRF’s partnership with a local dentist who
provides pro bono services. Immediately, WVRF was
able to secure an appointment for the veteran. Michael
explains that many veterans have a gap in medical and
dental insurance. To Lt. General (Ret.) Robert Chelberg,
getting proper dental care is incredibly meaningful to
veterans, because it improves their health, their ability
to hold jobs, and helps them feel good about themselves.
Indeed, Michael shares that the dental assistance
program already proved to be lifesaving because when
one veteran visited the dentist, an early stage oral cancer
was discovered and successfully removed.
WVRF staff is very conscious of the financial strains
experienced by many, and know that without much
needed donations, they would have to make painful
decisions to say no to veterans. Caitlin sums up their
gratitude, “We appreciate everyone who supported us
during this first time event, especially with there being so
many unknowns.” An emotional Michael assures donors,
“Your money is going to save a life and help a veteran
in need.” As one veteran affirms, “This organization, it
gives people like me hope.”
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