Page 8 - Boca Club News - December '21

Page 8, Boca Club News
Melanoma Foundation’s 22nd Annual Luncheon and Fashion

Show Set for January 24th at the Breakers in Palm Beach

The Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation will be Ashburnham outside of Boston, and throughout her life has In its expansion of current initiatives, the Foundation
hosting its 22nd Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show, its served on the board of numerous charitable groups. She has was recently selected by the Leadership of Palm Beach
largest fundraising event of the year, at the Breakers in Palm also proudly developed a program for the American Stroke County’s “Engage Forward” Program to assist in
Beach on January 24th. The event is one of the premiere dates Association and has presented lectures to the 19th Annual developing an interactive and entertaining educational
on the Palm Beach social and charity calendar. Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, Boston University Medical presentation on sun safety that will be delivered to over
Luncheon will be served after a silent auction, followed School, University of Massachusetts, and many other health 196,000 children in Palm Beach County. The Foundation
by a runway fashion show highlighting elegant designs from care facilities. She was a Guardian ad Litem at the Boston also continues its partnership with baseball Hall of
J. Mendel. Tampa General Hospital and CEO, John Couris, Juvenile Court. Joan also serves on the board of trustees of Famer and RDK Board Member Mike Schmidt, and
are the Diamond Sponsors for this event. the International Society of Palm Beach. the Philadelphia Phillies team, to educate the city of
Tickets are priced at $425 per person and can be obtained Joan had been terribly frightened when she was diagnosed Philadelphia on the importance of sun safety.
by calling (561) 655-9655. For more information, contact with melanoma 20 years ago, but she remained brave and Citizens Bank Park has recently been equipped with
jenique@melanomafoundation.com pushed through as a survivor, luckily detecting the melanoma state-of-the-art, ecofriendly, durable and informative
All funds raised at the Luncheon will benefit the Richard at an early stage. She would often winter in Florida, and one sunscreen dispensers that will be utilized by Phillies
David Kann Melanoma Foundation founded by Debbie year had the desire to join a support group but found that, fans for all home games. They are continuing nationally,
Schwarzberg in memory of her late brother, who passed unfortunately, none existed for melanoma survivors and those with the establishment of Sun Smart Cities, corporate
away at the age of 45 from a late detected melanoma. To see grieving due to the effects of the disease. So, as the proactive and private partnerships, and the placement of sunscreen
it develop from a handful of women to a large foundation leader that she is, Joan started one at a hospital with a pro dispensers in parks, beaches and stadiums in tandem with
with impactful initiatives and liaison. educational resources to the communities.
elegant fundraising events is a During this time, she drew the attention of, and received Joan Genesky Rubin reminds everyone that it is
truly gratifying experience for a call from, the RDK Melanoma Foundation that had been very important to use a zinc, mineral-based sunscreen
her. founded by Debbie Schwarzberg, whose mission is saving free from any carcinogens. Just as important, she wants
Debbie has been great friends lives through education about prevention and early detection those spending time outdoors to protect themselves
with a woman named Joan of skin cancer, specifically melanoma. with sun-safe long-sleeve clothing, a wide-brimmed hat
Genesky Rubin, who has worked RDK continues its Students Against Melanoma Clubs and UV-protective sunglasses; ocular, along with most
with the foundation for the past (SAM Clubs), and Sun Smart America, a classroom-based other melanomas, are fatal if left undetected. She also
20 years. Ms. Rubin, formerly of program that provides essential educational tools in middle advises regular skin check-ups on oneself and by a local
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and schools, high schools and colleges. This network of students dermatologist. Melanoma is one of the most dangerous
Nantucket Island, now resides continually empowers and educates their peers, families cancers, but if people are educated about how to protect
in Boca Raton. She graduated and communities regarding the importance of sun safety themselves against the UV rays, fun will be had safely in
from the Cushing Academy in Joan Genesky Rubin and early detection. the sun!
Habitat for Humanity’s 5th Annual

“Veterans Build” Transforms 10 Homes in Boynton Beach

To usher in Veterans Day commemorations in South Palm
Beach County, businesses and area residents joined Habitat
for Humanity of South Palm Beach County to honor and serve
military veterans in appreciation for their service, as teams
of volunteers transformed 10 homes within a Boynton Beach
neighborhood on Friday, November 5th through Habitat’s
ongoing Neighborhood Revitalization program powered by
Vertical Bridge Holdings.
Volunteers installed
new mailboxes,
spread mulch, planted
landscaping and assisted
with other repairs and
clean-up for homes
owned by veterans –
homes in which veterans
are residing with their
families and homes of
families who have inherited their homes from WWII veterans.
More than 120 corporate and civic team members from
sponsoring companies participated in the organization’s 2021
“Veterans Build” presented by Vertical Bridge in Partnership
with the City of Boynton Beach. The initiative was made
possible by a generous gift from Vertical Bridge, grant
funding from Materials Sponsor Home Depot Foundation &
Team Depot and home sponsors that included Vertical Bridge,
FPL, Home Depot, Moraca Builders, City of Boynton Beach, Concerns were raised in the 1970s over the poor condition
City of Boynton Beach Police Department and others. It was of the cemetery. It appears an attempt was made to clean
orchestrated in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of it up in 1974, but by 1978 it was again in poor condition.
South Palm Beach County and the City of Boynton Beach’s Some of the main campaigners to have the cemetery cleaned
City Manager, City Commissioners, and its Departments up was the Barton family, whose son, Alton, is buried there
of Economic Development & Strategy, Police Services, and after whom the site is named. Mr. Barton also served as
Community Standards, Parks & Recreation and Building. Chairman over the Deacons at New Mount Zion Missionary
“Vertical Bridge is proud to once again sponsor Habitat Baptist Church of Boynton Beach.
for Humanity’s Veterans Build this year,” said Alex Gellman, As an affiliate of the global non-profit organization Habitat
CEO and Co-Founder of Vertical Bridge. “This is our fifth for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach
year sponsoring the Habitat Veterans Build, and we continue challenge coin presentation by City of Boynton Beach Vice County brings people together to build homes, community
to support this cause because it’s one our company believes in Mayor, Woodrow L. Hay and U.S. Army Veteran Sophia E. and hope in the cities of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach
and our employees enjoy participating in. We appreciate the Eccleston, who currently serves as an External Affairs (EA) and Boca Raton. The nonprofit builds because it believes
work Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County does manager for Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) in that everyone everywhere should have a safe, decent and
for our veterans and community, and the opportunity they Palm Beach County. Featured keynote speaker was William affordable place to call home, especially those hard-working,
provide us to give back. By bringing together the community Barton, a 99-year-old WWII Army veteran who was stationed low-income families who have not yet been able to qualify for
to improve the homes of 10 veterans and seniors, we get to at Camp Edwards in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He worked traditional mortgage financing. To give a “hand-up, never a
positively impact the lives of those who have laid their lives as a truck driver and in maintenance while serving. After the hand-out”, the 501(c)(3) organization depends upon volunteer
on the line for our nation.” war, Mr. Barton went to night school and got his Associates labor and tax-deductible donations of money, materials,
The morning program opened with welcome remarks Degree, then moved to Boynton Beach with his beloved wife, services and property to fulfill its mission. To learn more
made by Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach Mary. They were married for over 60 years. The Bartons about HFHSPBC, its home build sponsorships, corporate
County President & CEO Jennifer Thomason. The lunch raised three sons and one daughter in their home in the Cherry team builds, fundraising events, year-round volunteer
program featured a presentation of the colors by the Hills Community. opportunities and donations to our home improvement and
Boynton Beach High School MCJROTC, remarks by City The family was instrumental in preserving what is known thrift shop ReStores in Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Visit
of Boynton Beach, Vice Mayor Woodrow L. Hay, District today as the Barton Memorial Park Cemetery, originally www.HabitatSouthPalmBeach.org or contact Marta Knowles
II, recognition of all veterans present at the event with the an unofficial burial place for Boynton’s black community. at mknowles@hfhboca.org or (561) 819-6070 ext. 208.