Page 12 - The Islander - February '21

Page 12, The Islander

Good Works

A Gift For Giving

The Community With A Heart

Each year, Ibis Charities, the official foundation of
The Club at Ibis, accepts applications for grants from is projected that Ibis Charities will have made donations
over 120 Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations. The approaching $600,000, which once again confirms that
mission of the foundation is to provide family and social The Club at Ibis has rightfully earned the reputation of
services, health and wellness programs, educational, art, being “the community with a heart.”
cultural and environmental opportunities.
This year, right before the traditional release of funds
to the final applicants, COVID-19 took the world by
surprise, impacting every facet of every life, whether it
be in business and commerce, employment, health and
even being able to be with immediate family members.
The foundation had to make the critical decision
to reevaluate who to fund and help those charities that
provide basic human needs such as food, medical care,
housing and clothing. After the initial donations from
the season’s fund raising events were distributed, the
foundation once again asked the Ibis community to help
in its efforts to alleviate the hardship rampant in Palm South Florida volunteers are distributing in Palm Beach
Beach County. The response to this Call To Heart was so County.
overwhelming that it enabled the foundation to contribute
multiple times to these frontline organizations providing to hold our traditional fundraisers like a fashion show,
essential services. tournaments, a gala or girl’s night out, the compassion
The last drive made it possible to feed thousands of and generosity of the members of The Club at Ibis made
people over the holidays. And it didn’t stop there. 2020 a record breaking year in donations.”
“The members of Ibis responded magnanimously In January, Ibis Charities was able to send funds to
to those far less fortunate,” explained Sharon Bross, keep providing food as the numbers of unemployed people Palm Beach County Sheriff’s officers are helping get food
president of Ibis Charities. “While we may not be able due to the pandemic continues to grow. By February, it delivered in time for the holidays.

Commissioner’s Update

A County Commissioner’s Job

By County Commissioner Maria Marino
L oc a l gove rnm ent Many of you have asked me what the duties are of county • Provide and operate air, water, rail and bus terminals,
services assist us in many government and the county commissioners. Below are some port facilities, and public transportation systems
ways, from garbage pickup, of our duties and a more complete list can be found in Florida • Provide and regulate arterial, toll, and other roads,
to traffic management, to Statutes, Chapter 125: bridges, tunnels, eliminate grade crossings, regulate the
responding to emergencies • Adopt rules of procedure and elect officers placement of signs, lights and other structures within the
such as hurricanes and • Prosecute and defend legal causes on behalf of the county right-of-way limits of the county road system
recently, a pandemic. • Provide and maintain county buildings • License and regulate vehicles for hire
Palm Beach County • Provide fire protection, hospitals, ambulance service, and • Establish and enforce regulations for the sale of
has operated under a health and welfare programs alcoholic beverages in the unincorporated areas
voter-approved home rule • Provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, recreation areas, • Use ad valorem tax revenues to purchase any or all
charter since 1984. This libraries, museums, historical commissions, and recreational interests in land for the protection of natural floodplains,
gives the Board of County and cultural facilities and programs marshes or estuaries for use as wildlife management areas,
Commissioners the ability to create local laws through • Prepare and enforce comprehensive plans for the to restore altered ecosystems, or preserve significant
the public hearing ordinance procedure, without having development of the county archaeological or historic sites
to go to the Florida Legislature. It established a county • Enforce zoning and business regulations as necessary for • Place questions on the ballot at any primary, general
manager form of government with separation of legislative the protection of the public or special election
(Commission) and executive (County Administrator) • Enforce housing and related technical codes and regulations Again, this is just a brief overview of some of the
functions. The Board of County Commissioners sets • Establish and administer programs for housing, slum primary responsibilities of your county commissioners,
policies that are executed by the county administrator. State clearance, community redevelopment, conservation, flood and in addition to looking into individual matters within our
law expressly prohibits commissioners from interfering beach erosion control, air pollution control, navigation and purview that personally affect our residents.
with the performance of the duties of any employee under drainage programs in cooperation with governmental agencies It is an honor to serve you and please contact me with
the supervision of the county administrator. and private enterprises your ideas and let me know how I can assist you. You can
• Provide and regulate waste and sewage collection and reach me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@
disposal, water and alternate water supplies, and reclaimed water pbcgov.org.
programs

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