Page 8 - Hobe Sound Reflection - July '21

Page 8, Hobe Sound

nonprofIt newS

Supporting Our Youth On The families a place to explore and learn
through hands-on activities, educational
Treasure Coast programs and cultural experiences.
They have served over 600,000 visitors
In spite of the significant challenges during the pandemic, since their opening in 2008.
the important work of caring for our community continues. On April 12 Cleveland Clinic Martin
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast is a Health celebrated an ongoing partnership
local nonprofit whose mission is to offer children and with The Children’s Museum of the
Treasure Coast. Cleveland Clinic Martin
Health has renewed their five-year
commitment as the presenting sponsor
for the Health and Wellness exhibit
which is a permanent exhibit that features
interactive stations involving a healthy
heart, digestion, the skeletal system, and
operation. “The Children’s Museum is
honored to be chosen as a community
partner. Collaborating with champions
like Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Left to right: Rob Lord, president, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health; Susan Clark,
brings the true hometown feeling to the chief nursing officer, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health; Angela Aulisio, community
Our Town Wing here at the Children’s engagement coordinator, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health; Tammy Calabria,
Museum,” says Tammy Calabria. executive director, The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast

House Of Hope Approaches 2 community partners working together to address this growing

Left to right: Susan Clark, chief nursing officer, Cleveland Million Milestone issue of food insecurity in Martin County.”
Clinic Martin Health; Tammy Calabria, executive director, Generous donors in the community supply food to the
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast; Rob Lord, For most organizations, approaching a 2 million mark House of Hope Food Pantry or make cash donations, and
president, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health would be cause for celebration. For House of Hope, it’s both grocery stores such as Publix and statewide partner Farm
a cause for celebration and a concern for the community. In Share supplement the donations. During the pandemic,
2019, pre-COVID, House of Hope distributed more than the Martin County Board of County Commissioners
970,000 pounds of food to those in need in Martin County. and the United Way of Martin County stepped forward
In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, that number jumped as partners, using federal CARES ACT dollars to assist
to nearly 1.5 million pounds. Rob Ranieri, CEO of House House of Hope in feeding the increased number of hungry
of Hope, anticipates they will exceed the 2-million-pound families and individuals.
mark before the end of 2021. Several years ago, House of Hope’s leadership realized
The COVID pandemic has made every basic need more they needed to do things differently if they were going to not
urgent and more challenging to fill. Certainly, no need is more only supply food but supply good nutrition. “Nutrition and
basic than food. “People who would never have imagined that health are a major part of the equation at House of Hope.
they would be wondering where they would get their next meal The link between poor health and poverty is irrefutable. Part
have come to our doors seeking food during the pandemic,”
Ranieri says. “It’s taken determination, creativity, and all of our Nonprofit News on page 9

Left to right: Rob Lord, president, Cleveland Clinic Martin Beloved BBBS Volunteer Retires
Health; Susan Clark, chief nursing officer, Cleveland Clinic
Martin Health
By Jackie Holfelder

Big Brothers Big Sisters
(BBBS) of Palm Beach and
Martin Counties recently
honored beloved, long-time
volunteer, Theodora (Thea)
Valen Lacey.
Thea joined the nonprofit
in 1997 and shared her
expertise and passion
generously.
Left to right: Tammy Calabria, executive director, The She served as board chair
Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast; Rob Lord, for many years and was
president, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health; Susan Clark, instrumental in recruiting
chief nursing officer, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
both Bill Bee and Yvette
Why Pay More To Sell? Flores Acevedo to serve as Thea Lacey (seated on far left) with Ken Ringe, Mark Kieslor, Little
Chief Executive Officers,
both of whom she worked
with to bring the nonprofit Sisters mentees Monica and Carmen, Big Sister mentor Sandra
to an unprecedented level of Kanter, Richard Levine, Bill Bee, Glenn Hasell, and Bob Schafer

Even with 23 years of success.
experience, my fees Her hard work and support of Big Brothers Once again, Thea Lacey’s leadership skills
are still low Big Sisters’ executive team helped move the and knowledge helped ensure a successful
local agency from the bottom two percent of outcome for the project.

SELL YOUR HOME agencies in the country to the top eight percent Although Theodora Valen Lacey will no
within two years of her becoming board chair. longer be volunteering at Big Brothers Big
Using the latest and most advanced In 2010, at the request of the national Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties,
marketing technologies leadership of BBBS, the Martin County the fruits of her labors and benefits of her
operation added Palm Beach County to its unwavering support will enhance the nonprofit
Call Jim at youth service area. Thea was the first to pitch for years to come.

772-341-2941 in when someone needed help.
For years, she generously assisted Bob Photo provided by BBBS of Palm Beach and

Jim Weix, Broker Associate Howell in running a Christmas event in Martin Counties
Indiantown for economically challenged
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart children of the village.