Page 1 - Southern Exposure - February '21
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VOL. 29 NO. 2 www.seabreezepublications.com FEBRUARY 2021
Southern Profile
Wounded Veterans Relief Fund Telethon Meets Goal
To Support Disabled Veterans
By Chrystal D. Rambarath
The COVID-19 pandemic brought our world to a standstill, during their greatest time of need.” Michael, a former community
forcing businesses, small and large, to slow or shut down liaison and board member, grew WVRF’s network to support
completely. But while many industries dwindled, the nonprofit veterans throughout Florida. This expansion is critical, because
organizations that provide basic needs and serve society’s Michael explains, “Florida is home to the third largest population
most vulnerable experienced exponential demand. One local of veterans in the United States – more than 1.5 million people.”
nonprofit, Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), knows this However, even as the demand for services increased because
too well.
WVRF was born in 2009 with a simple but noble goal – to Southern Profile on page 2
support Florida’s disabled veterans by relieving their financial
strains and facilitating their transition to civilian life. The
organization’s beneficiaries are veterans of conflicts going as
far back as World War II. Michael Durkee, an army combat Good WorkS
veteran, was appointed as executive director in 2016, who says,
“I am very grateful to be in a position to help my fellow veterans
A Gift For Giving
fundraiSinG eventS The Community
With A Heart
The Arc Raises Nearly $90,000 Each year, Ibis Charities, the official foundation of The
Club at Ibis, accepts applications for grants from over
With WILD Pants 120 Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations. The
mission of the foundation is to provide family and social
services, health and wellness programs, educational,
art, cultural and environmental opportunities.
The Arc transformed its annual This year, right before the traditional release of funds
fundraiser adding a 2020 twist. to the final applicants, COVID-19 took the world by
Supporters stepped out in their surprise, impacting every facet of every life, whether it
sassiest slacks for the WILD Pants be in business and commerce, employment, health and
fundraiser bringing in $89,000. even being able to be with immediate family members.
Traditionally, The Arc recruited The foundation had to make the critical decision to
men from the community to model reevaluate who to fund and help those charities that
colorful pants in an effort to raise provide basic human needs such as food, medical care,
money to support programs for housing and clothing. After the initial donations from
people with disabilities. This year,
participants of all ages and genders
were asked to make, decorate, or
buy tricked-out trousers to battle for
the championship title.
“Much of the world may have
paused for the pandemic, our
programs did not. We still had clients
and their families relying on us Tyson and Ender Mutchler Jessica Gehring
every day,” stated Kimberly
McCarten, president and
CEO of The Arc of Palm
Beach County. “These
modern challenges pushed us
outside of our comfort zone South Florida volunteers are distributing in Palm Beach
to create compelling ways to County.
generate essential donations,
Good Works on page 2
Fundraising Events on page 3
