Rebecca Reports
 Published
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Monday, I was at Casa DeVita, the Royal Palm home of Kids in New
Directions VP Joyce DeVita and her husband, Thom. The DeVitas hosted
a holiday party honoring two past presidents of Kids in New Directions,
Betsy Fletcher and Andrea Knibbs. Party guests included current KIND
president Chris Root, Patty Carpenter, whose mother had just arrived
from New York, Deputy Mayor Susan Whelchel and Nicole Flier and Lori
Ludwig, founders of SF VIPs , the young fundraising group behind KIND.
I caught up with fellow Brit, Natalie Cwick, KIND’s Executive
Director. Natalie also administers the Spirit of Giving campaign--a
group of 15 local non-profits who work together to supply children
with holiday toys - sadly demand has been high this year she told
me. However there is some good news for next year - the Spirit of
Giving campaign is one of the community projects the Junior League
of Boca Raton has under consideration for 2008. Fingers crossed!
Tuesday evening began at the Boca Marriott for the Boca Chamber of
Commerce’s annual holiday auction. I had do idea that 400 people
attend as I missed it last year! The festive event raised over $26,000
for the chamber’s community projects. In the live auction, a
Panthers Luxury Suite (compliments of JM Family Enterprises) went
for an ice- cool $1,100! The gift certificate for “Universal
Design Cabinets, Countertops & More” went for $2,050. I
hope he went to Jared or David Stern as well!
Next it was over to FAU for wonderful performance on violin and piano
by Lynn University grad Gareth Johnson and Chair of FAU’s Music
Department, Heather Coltman. Johnson moves so effortlessly between
styles, it is easy to see why his parents, teachers and sponsors such
as Madelyn Savarick, believe he has what it takes to be a leading
concert violinist. The repertoire from the concert will be available
on a CD from FAU’s Hoot Wisdom record label in the spring--
the duo started recording the day before performing.
Wednesday, I met with a bright new star on the local non-profit scene,
Julie Ott, special event events and development coordinator for the
Red Cross. Julie replaces Jennifer Witt who moved across town to the
American Cancer Society. Julie is no stranger to the Red Cross, having
been a volunteer for the past two years. Previously in HR and special
events with the MGM Mirage group in Las Vegas (she is a native) Julie
moved to Boca with her husband, Danny, two years ago. Her first event
is the HEROES Campaign which kicks off March 5 at Old Calypso in Delray
Beach.
Finally, one last minute gift idea for culture vultures…tickets
and passes for Festival of the Arts BOCA 2008. Now available, classical,
jazz and Latin, literature passes and the ultimate 17-day All Festival
pass! Of course we’ll all want the ultimate! Call 1-866-6571-2787.
And that is life in Boca…
Merry Christmas everyone!
Rebecca
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