Page 4 - Boca Club News - March '21

Page 4, Boca Club News
Broken Sound’s “Magic Hands Knitting Club”

Overcomes Challenges To Continue Charitable Work

for Children’s Hospitals, Cancer Research

The Magic Hands Knitting Club of Broken Sound
Club has used innovative efforts to meet the challenges of
COVID-19, as well as the current major makeover of the
Broken Sound clubhouse.
The knitting club, prior to COVID-19 and the
reconstruction, usually met each Tuesday morning at the
clubhouse under the direction of Broken Sound member
Eileen Batt and was attended by as many as 15 members on
any given meeting day. The underlying purpose of the knitting
group is to provide charitable contributions to Children’s While the donating of items to the Hospitals was able
Hospitals and cancer research groups. These contributions to continue, the effort to generate cash contributions to the
are in the form of donating knitted items to Children’s cancer research group was unable to continue due to the
Hospitals and by the sale of other knitted hats, blankets and lack of a sales venue. To overcome this obstacle, Eileen that has information about how to pay if by check. On the
specialty goods, with cash proceeds being donated to the reached out to Elissa Sorkowitz Lejeune at the Royal Palm same shelf are business cards that say Magic Hands Knitting
charities. Broken Sound Club cooperates with the knitting Hearing Aid Center located at 8122 Glades Road in Boca. Club with Eileen Batt’s name and phone number as the
club in the sale of items. Each piece of knitted merchandise Elissa agreed to dedicate shelves for display of a limited contact, as well as a website address on which one can see
is accompanied with a tag reading; “Made with love by the selection of the knitted inventory on a consignment type of a larger selection of available styles that make wonderful
ladies at Broken Sound Club.” agreement, whereby the hearing aid center has the purchaser gifts. The inventory consists of hats, blankets and sweaters
At the onset of COVID-19, and with space unavailable at make a personal check to the order of the Pap Corp. Since for babies, plus women’s shawls and scarves. Shown here
the under re-construction clubhouse, Eileen organized meetings the beginning of this arrangement at the end of January, the are photos of just a few of the items available, as examples
limited to five knitting members on Tuesday mornings at center has sent Eileen and the knitting club checks for the of the beautiful quality of this group’s work.
her back patio. Masks and social distancing were required sale of items, and has not retained any portion of the sale Anyone interested in purchasing a piece of the knitted
for attendance. The production of knitted hats was able to for the hearing aid center! All of the sales proceeds go for inventory may visit the hearing aid center, or contact
continue, but the venue for selling merchandise was unavailable. the charitable purposes! Eileen Batt by calling her at (609) 932-2786 or email:
Unfortunately, the progress of the virus and an abundance of Every item there has a price tag on it, as well as the eileenb1938@gmail.com.
caution eventually caused these back patio sessions to cease. garment’s size. There is a picture frame on one of the shelves

Habitat for Humanity from page 1 Returning as working families in our community who are in critical need
Mother/Daughter of decent housing.”
Women Build Registration Now Open. To register to WOMEN Build Co- “In sensitivity to our dedicated WOMEN Builders, their
build, set up your online fundraising page and/or learn more Chairs are Beverly health and safety concerns and their loyal donors who may
about Women Build, sponsorship opportunities, visit www. Raphael Altman and have experienced financial setbacks, we have created an
HabitatSouthPalmBeach.org or contact Marta Knowles at: Robyn Raphael- engaging Safe2Build fundraiser that lets participants ‘build
mknowles@hfhboca.org or (561) 819-6070 ext. 208. Dynan, who are their way’,” added Beverly Raphael Altman.
Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County women builders 2021 Women Build Provides “Hand-Up”
President & CEO Randy Nobles reports that—following every day as the for Hard-Working, Low-Income Mom
much discussion, due diligence, surveying Women Build CEO and President As impassioned empowerment drivers, Women
leadership, health professionals, and construction team of RCC Associates, Builders deliver significant impact that enriches lives
members—this year’s Women Build’s initiative will: a woman-owned and communities, one home, one family at a time, from
• expand the onsite build from three days (five shifts) general contracting generation to generation.
to four days (eight shifts) to accommodate a lesser, limited firm. Supported This year, Women Builders will be collectively
number of builders per shift. CDC, state and county by a committee of fundraising and “building their way” to support Suzie
construction and healthcare protocols will be in place, masks community-focused Michel, a widowed single mom who is raising four sons,
required, plenty of hand sanitizer, boxed refreshments, etc.; wom e n l e a de rs ages 4 to 11, who currently live in an overcrowded, unsafe
who all serve as neighborhood where the rent is unaffordable. She works
Women Build team as a property manager in Delray Beach, has good credit
captains, Altman and and savings for closing and is committed to fulfilling the
Raphael-Dynan are 300 sweat equity hours and 100 hours of financial literacy
actively recruiting 2021 Women Build Co-Chairs Robyn and home ownership required to qualify for a zero-interest
builders. Because Raphael-Dynan and Beverly Raphael Habitat mortgage.
no construction Altman Women Build Helps Break
experience is Challenging Economic Cycles
required, Habitat’s WOMEN Builders span business, One hundred percent from monies raised from the
civic, community and philanthropic sectors. The volunteer Women Build initiative underwrites the construction
builders work under the guidance of the organization’s materials for the home being built. These monies are
construction professionals. critical to the Habitat “Fund for Humanity” program,
“We know it has been a gut-wrenching year for everyone, which helps hard-working, low-income families in
but as we continue to work through it we have all been the South Palm Beach County community who have
Bocaire Country Club resident Silvana Halperin helps raise greatly inspired by exceptional acts of kindness and been unable to get ahead by qualifying for traditional
the roof during the previous Women Build. generosity given to those struggling in our community,” bank mortgages. Habitat homeowners earn their homes
recognizes 2021 WOMEN Build Co-chair Robyn Raphael- through sweat equity programs to qualify for interest-free
• offer two new ways to build: options to build-at-home Dynan, who is also a Board member. “The 2021 Women mortgages...changing the trajectory of entire families for
or join-now-build-later; Build offers yet another heart-warming opportunity for generations because they are the first in their family line
• reset the traditional building eligibility minimum of women leaders to give a ‘hand up,’ not a hand-out to hard- to achieve home ownership.
$1,000 to a one-time-only reduced individual “give or get”
qualifying amount of $500;
• host an exciting “Get Your Pink On” outdoor, “together,
yet apart” launch meeting
How to Build Your Way: Three Ways, One Mission
This year, Women Builders can choose how they want
to build homes, communities, and hope for hard working,
low-income families:
1. On the Construction Site - No construction experience
necessary, shifts are limited to 10 participants to keep
everyone safe and social distancing, masks are required.
2. From Home – Women Builders can choose to receive
a simple DIY home goods build and design kit with
instructions, and Women Build Swag Bag. Once your kit
project is completed and returned to HFHSPBC, it will be
donated to a Habitat Partner Family.
3. Join Now, Build Later – Women Builders can join the
“Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hat” from home, help raise
the much-needed funds now, receive Women Build Swag
Bag, and then schedule a build day at a later date and time
that works for them.