West Palm 100 Names TCCI "Charity of Choice"

June 21, 2008 - The West Palm 100, a group of young professionals who work as a support network for West Palm Beach's children, families and neighborhoods, has designated The Children's Coalition Inc. (TCCI) as their 2008 Charity of Choice.

The West Palm 100 was founded in 2005. The organization has raised funds to benefit Turtle Nest Village, Paint Your Heart Out, Joshua House and other community projects.

TCCI executive director Carlton Cartwright said he was thrilled by the designation.

"We are very excited for the opportunity to work with such a dynamic and well meaning group of young professionals," said Mr. Cartwright.

The West Palm 100 will hold their annual gala June 28 at the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach's City Place.

"The annual gala has become a tremendous success, with the who's who of young professionals in attendance," said West Palm 100 Gala Chair Deborah Searcy. "Since West Palm 100 is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff, it's immensely rewarding to know that all funds raised at the gala and throughout the year are donated back into the community to the people who need it most."

Tickets purchased in advance by June 26 are $60 for West Palm 100 members and $100 for non-members. Tickets purchased at the door are $80 for members and $120 for non-members. Along with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar, this year's West Palm 100 gala will feature blackjack, craps and roulette - all played for charitable causes. Live music will be provided by Solid Gold, the go-to band that regularly performs at Mar-a-Lago and throughout South Florida.

Current gala sponsors include Calibre; Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart and Shipley; Gentlemen of the Garden; Ruden McClosky; Very Important Paws; West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority; Atlantic Filter; Commissioner Bill Moss; Commissioner Jeri Muoio; Hamilton Jewelers; HomeRule Strategies; McGladrey and Pullen; and Pioneer Linens. In-kind donations have been made by The Palm Beach Post, Pistache, Altadis, and Bushel Stop nursery.

For more information about sponsorships, which range from $250 to $10,000, please call Searcy at (561) 603-0615 or email deborah.searcy@gmail.com.

For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets, please visit www.westpalm100.org.

Many Thanks

We would like to thank the following sponsors and contributors for our May contributions:

Love 4 One Another Charities, Inc.: Last year the Patrick Cousins Law Firm donated $7,000 to our organization and its efforts to provide programming to the underserved population of Palm Beach County. This year we were delighted to find out that they had created a non-profit organization called Love 4 One Another Charities, Inc. The new charity was gracious enough to provide us with $10,000 this year.

West Palm 100: This fine group of young professionals has taken pride over the last several years in spreading their energy over what they consider to be several worthwhile non-profits. We are proud to be one of these. This year, in addition to the worthwhile time they donate to our students, the group saw fit to donate $5,000 to our cause.

We thank Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart and Shipley - Attorneys At Law for their generous donation of $500 and the F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr. Bar Association for their wonderful gift of $250.

We also thank Charles Keefer for his gift of $5,000 in memory of Kathryn Linwood.

We would like to thank the following contributors for the following pledges:

General Support - Through their application and grant process the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs has awarded our organization $2,500 for the next year starting in July. The City of West Palm Beach has awarded us a grant for $29,000 beginning in October.

Direct Program Expense - The Palm Beach County Cultural Council has allotted $8,244 for direct program services performed for in the interest of the clients we serve throughout Palm Beach County. The grant will start in October.

May 2008

To The Zoo ...

The Children's Coalition, Inc. (TCCI) was fortunate to bond with the West Palm 100 for a trip to the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park.

The West Palm 100 sponsored the field trip for 13 children on Saturday, May 17, 2008. They helped the students take digital photos and talked with the students about the animals and their habitats, then treated the students to lunch at the zoo canteen.

"I thought it was a great educational opportunity for everyone," said Todd Bonlarron, service co-chair of the West Palm Beach 100. "It was a good opportunity for them (the students) to get out and work on the skills they have developed with the children's coalition."

The West Palm 100 is a civic and social organization for young professionals dedicated to supporting West Palm Beach's children, families and neighborhoods by donating time, money and people power to local organizations.

The organization has worked with TCCI several times in the past and will sponsor a bowling night for TCCI kids Aug. 23, 2008. Read more about the West Palm 100 on their web site at www.westpalm100.org.

To see photos the children took at the zoo, click here.

April 2008

TCCI sponsored four Senate pages during this year's Florida Legislature. To read their story click here.

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