1. END OF THE YEAR MATCHING CAMPAIGN
by James S. Gavrilos, CFRE - Executive Director
Col. Buddy Harris has been a Boca Raton resident since 2002. Buddy
is one of our many volunteers at BHH that have lead amazing lives
with very interesting stories. He has volunteered at Boca Helping Hands
for five years in our computer lab while also doing food recovery. Buddy
came to us with his computer expertise and taught our clients through
the computer lab courses BHH offered. Some students came to his class
and barely knew how to turn on the computer. Buddy said, “Many had
sweaty palms.” By the end of the multi-week course, the students were
printing out their own certificate of completion and signing up for one
of his more advanced classes. Buddy continues to do Food Recovery for
BHH and picks up at two Starbucks twice a week. The businesses, where
he does his food recovery, are always happy to see Buddy and enjoy his
positive attitude.
Some may not know that Buddy, age 88, is an active member with the Civil Air Patrol. He has been
called on to do search and rescue missions in the Everglades and off the Florida coast. Buddy is a
Colonel in the US Air Force Civil Air Patrol which he joined at the age of 16 (1942). He entered the
Air Force at age 18 for six years. In 1990 he rejoined the Civil Air Patrol. Boca Helping Hands wants
to extend our congratulations to Col. Buddy Harris and 40 of the founding members of the Civil
Air Patrol who received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. This is the highest honor that
Congress bestows on civilians. The ceremony was held in Washington D.C. on December 10, 2014.
The members of the Civil Air Patrol were honored for their achievements during WWII.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: COL. BUDDY HARRIS
Recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor
As I drive around town, I listen to my radio and ad after ad tells me that “this” or “that” expert
can teach me to invest my money and earn fantastic returns just by reading his or her book.
What are you investing in? And what rate of return are you earning? What if I told you that
you could literally double your investment in the lives of those we serve every day here at Boca
Helping Hands?
You have such an opportunity. I am happy to announce that our anonymous benefactor has once
again issued a challenge to the BHH family. This benefactor has happily agreed to match every
dollar that is contributed between November 1st and December 31st up to a total of $175,000.
There are only two stipulations: (1) The contribution must be made between November 1 and
December 31 and, (2) the contribution must be unrestricted, and therefore available to fund our
general operating expenses.
The End of theYear Matching Campaign is a great introduction to our organization and the efficient
way we use our resources. The 2014 audit determined that $0.94 of every dollar contributed to
BHH goes directly to our programs.
We invite you to share your passion for Boca Helping Hands with your family, friends and
co-workers. Please use the enclosed envelopes in this newsletter for your contribution. Your past
contributions have been an investment in the lives of so many people. Let's make the 2015 End of
the Year Matching Campaign the most successful ever.
Issue 18 - Fall 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
1 Matching Campaign
1 Volunteer Spotlight
2 BHH Thanksgiving
Box Brigade
2 Monthly Giving Pro.
2 Health Week
2 Student Spotlight
3 20/20 Vision
3 CDL Student
Spotlight
4 Save the Date
4 Bowling For Bread
4 Heart & Spirit

2. It all started with a flyer on the door. Marquetta, whom at the time joined Boca Helping Hands daily
for the lunch program, saw a flyer that shared information about a new job training program. She
decided to enroll into Esperanza Catering at Boca Helping Hands program and joined the first class
of 2014. In this program, Marquetta says that not only did she learn the basics of catering, but also
received a refresher on the core principals of working in any professional environment. She learned the
correct temperatures of food, and about cross contamination which she felt gave her a leg up when
applying for her current job at Whole Foods where she is now working in the catering department.
Marquetta loves her job and says that the pay is the most she has ever made, and enough to support
living in an apartment and to save for her own vehicle. Marquetta thanks Boca Helping Hands for getting her back on her
feet and providing a promising future for her. She says“This brilliant program is for people that have lost hope, and they
don't have to pay anything for it, except attention.”
WILL YOU HELP US FILL THESE BOXES FOR OUR FAMILIES?
If interested in participating in our Thanksgiving *Box Brigade, please
contact Suzan Javizian, Suzan@bocahelpinghands.org or 561-417-0913 x 204
*Boca Helping Hands will provide you with boxes.
Each box must contain all the required quantities and items listed below:
All boxes must be
returned by:
Monday,
November 16th
(1) 6 oz Stove Top Stuffing Mix
(1) 10.5 oz. Canned Gravy
(1) 1.56 oz. Powder Drink Mix
(4) 15 oz. Canned Vegetables
(1) 29 oz. Canned Yams
(1) 14 oz. Canned Cranberry Sauce
(2) 15 oz. Canned Fruit or Fruit Cocktail
(2) 4 oz. Instant Mashed Potatoes Mix
(1) 15 oz. Canned Pie Filling
(1) 9" Ready Made Pie Crust
(Graham Cracker)
Thank you for
helping a family
have a Happy
Thanksgiving!
ESPE
RANZA CATER
ING
ATB
O
CA HELPING HA
N
DS
Boca Helping Hands will be kicking off our
Monthly Giving Program, “Give a Hand” in January 2016.
Become a part of the team and “Give a Hand” to those in need.
Watch for updates!
2 Issue 18 - Fall 2015
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MARQUETTA
GIVE A HAND - MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM
2015 THANKSGIVING BOX BRIGADE
Boca Helping Hands was proud to host Health Week from June 8-12, an event
introducing healthy and affordable eating tips, exercise, and disease prevention through
education. For five days, BHH joined forces with our community partners; Cross Fit, Boca Raton
Regional Hospital, YMCA of South Palm Beach County and Trader Joe’s, to demonstrate how
simple choices can make a difference. Our clients responded favorably, telling us how much
they enjoyed the resources that were made available to them.
On family night, we provided children and their families with healthful food options and
introduced the USDA's revised food pyramid and the American Institute for Cancer Research's
“Taste a Rainbow of Colors with Fruits and Veggies”program through integrative and interactive games and crafts. It was
an enthusiastic home-run! The children were asking when this program would be back.
HEALTHWEEK AT BHH

3. Ridell Cassy, a burst of energy even through the phone as he starts the interview with thanking Boca Helping
Hands for our“phenomenal”CDL Program. He had a small business but wanted to find a way to break into larger
business accounts to improve his prospects. Ridell heard of Boca Helping Hands CDL training Program and signed up
immediately. He said, “The timing was right!” Throughout this program, he learned responsibility, consistency, and
the need for further education on all levels. During Phase II of the CDL training, Ridell shared an experience. He was
learning to back up an eighteen wheeler truck and thought,“I got this,”but found it was difficult for him. After beating
himself up about this, he spoke with his other classmates and they told him everyone has a tough time backing up!
This new support system of fellow truck drivers helped him to overcome this obstacle. They are still in contact with
each other. Ridell said that all the classmates felt it was “very important for this first group to set the bar and the
example for all future classes.”It has paid off for Ridell, he is now a proud business owner of DD Waste Removal LLC to
whom he credits Boca Helping Hands for providing this opportunity. He says one of the biggest things he has learned
is to “Stick by your word. It is not about what you did last week, or what you will be doing next week, it is about what
you are doing right now”. He is very proud to say he was a part of a Boca Helping Hands' program and with his final
thoughts says, “What you’re doing for the city, for people as a whole, Boca Helping Hands is setting the bar very high!”
You can contact Ridell at: Phone: 855-57WASTE (Toll Free) Email: Ddwasteremoval@gmail.com
3Issue 18- Fall 2015
We've all heard the expression…but who really
understands it. What exactly is 20/20 vision? The
expression is a measurement of the clarity of vision and
sharpness of focus with which a person sees. We at Boca
Helping Hands want to have 20/20 vision. Five years
from now, we will be in the year 2020. Will we have
clarity of vision and sharpness of focus? Only if we do will
we be able to continue to sustain the growth we have
experienced in the last five years.
Five years ago, the Board of Directors made the bold
decision to initiate a lengthy process that would
culminate in a five year strategic plan. That plan has
guided and, in fact, been responsible for the incredible
growth we have experienced since 2010. Here is the
growth in just our food programs:
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Hot Meals 28,143 43,430 50,169 53,088 53,023
Pantry Bags 6,881 20,047 48,320 66,316 66,686
BHH Backpacks 300 500 750 1,000 1,378
While the food programs have grown so dramatically,
we have also added three job training programs
(Esperanza Catering, BHH Home Health Care and the
new CDL Program). Our infrastructure has grown to
accommodate the growth in programs and all of this
occurred while maintaining a Four Star Rating with
Charity Navigator. In fact, our recently completed audit
showed that $0.94 of every dollar contributed to Boca
Helping Hands goes directly to our programs and not
overhead or expenses. None of this was by accident.
The Strategic Plan was the road map we followed.
And so, as we look to the future, the entire BHH family
will embark on yet another Strategic Plan process.
Already, a Project Management Team of 15 volunteers,
staff, board members, donors and community leaders has
dug into the background research and data collection
that will guide our discussions. Here are some things to
be on the lookout for in the coming weeks:
(1) More of our stakeholders will be invited to serve
on committees that will explore the Political, Social,
Technological, Economic and Environmental issues that
may affect Boca Helping Hands in the coming years.
(2) A survey will be e-mailed to every one of our
stakeholders asking for feedback. What programs doYOU
want to see? What type of Boca Helping Hands do YOU
want to build? What do YOU think are our strengths…
and our weaknesses? Five years from now, what do YOU
expectBocaHelpingHandstolooklike? Whenyoureceive
the survey, please fill it out immediately so that your voice
can be heard! As was said back in the 60’s…”if you aren’t
part of the solution…you are part of the problem!”
(3) And most importantly…SAVE THIS DATE! Our
“Visioning Seminar” will be held on Saturday, January 16,
2016 at Saint Andrews School. As we did five years ago,
under the direction of Christina Drouin, we will gather
in small groups to discuss, share, dream and plan. Every
voice will be heard. Every opinion given a forum. The
Visioning Seminar will take place on January 16th from
8:30 until 3:00 P.M. Make plans to attend now!
Once the Visioning Seminar is completed, Ms. Drouin
will analyze all the feedback and comments and create a
series of goals and objectives and then the next five years
will be planned out for us. We will roar into the year 2020
five years from now with clarity of vision and sharpness of
focus. Let the process begin…
CDL STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: RIDELL CASSY
Commercial Driver's LicenseTraining Program
20/20 VISION

4. Current Resident or
www.bocahelpinghands.org
561-417-0913
Our 9th Annual Bowling for Bread Event was held on August 30th. Muir-Yeonas Homes was
our Event Sponsor. Our Boca Raton Chamber for-profit partner was First Citizens Bank. This
event takes place as part of the Boca Raton Chamber Festival Days held each August. We invited
14 non-profits to this event with 200 children for an afternoon of fun, food and bowling! This
year, 100 bowlers took part in our Bowling for Bread tournament. The 1st place winners were Dr.
Andy Adelson’s, (DDS, PA) team, the men’s high score was held by one of their team members,
Richard Baroff! Solid Rock Christian Church took 2nd place and Muir-Yeonas Homes, our Event
Sponsor, came in 3rd place. Ladies High Score was Candace Johnson from CBIZ MHM, LLC. Please
go to our website to see a list of our sponsors and food donors: www.bocahelpinghands.org/news-and-events
Bowling for Bread
SAVE THE DATE!
Sat., April 16, 2016p
Join Boca Helping
Hands for our
MONOPOLY Event
& Casino Night!
Via Mizner Golf and Country
Club, Boca Raton, FL
4 Issue 6 - Summer 2009
Remillard Family Resource Center
1500 NW 1st Court
Boca Raton, FL 33432
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
BOCA RATON, FL
PERMIT NO. 826
H&S is an auxiliary dedicated to supporting Boca Helping Hands’ mission: Boca Helping Hands provides food and emergency
assistance to meet basic human needs and long-term solutions to break the cycle of dependence.
Annual Membership $35
or $500 Lifetime
For more information contact
Karen Swedenborg at:
info@bocahelpinghands.org
561-367-1193
Kathy & Paul Adkins • Robert M. Arlen, P.A. • Margaret & Richard Bachrodt • Lisa & Dean Borg • Winifred Borg
Susan & Peter Brockway • Kathleen & James Brown • Rhoda Cobb • Pattie & Richard Damron • Cathy & Richard Donnellan
Joanna & Rick Felberbaum • MaryJo & Brian Finocchiaro • Mary Anna Fowler • Carol & David Gart, Esq. • Beverly & Van Ginter
Janet & John Goltra • Carol & Casey Gunnell • Mary Cheryl & John Hargrove •Wanda & John Harrold • Bonnie & Gary Hildebrand
Marcia & Harry Hochman • Sondra Homer-Warner • Lyn Houston • Cathy & Richard Johnson • Peggy & Mark Jones
Amy & Michael Kazma • Joyce & Gerald Kessler • Dr. Beth King • Jane & Arnaldo Kluczkowski • Lenore Larkin • Robert Levinson
Dr. John & DJ Lindsey • Lucy Craske Long & David Long • Linda & Dixon McElwee • Loretta McQueen • Lee Ann & Guy Mancini
Susan Mersch • Nancy & James Metcalf • Bethany & Brady Osborne • Maggie & Bernard Palmer • Dame Isabelle Paul
Cecilia & Gary Peters • Debbie & Greg Peters • Lisa & Israel Rabinsky • Tandy & Joe Robinson • Peggy & Steve Ruzika
Elaine Schneider • Dr. Eric Shaw • Robert Sheetz • Leslie Siegel • Alexandria & Gurbachan Singh • Muriel & Donald Smith
Jana &ThomasTift • Catherine & EdwardToomey • Lenore & HerbertWachtel • Christopher & Elizabeth Pankey-Warren Family
Ann & Thomas Wierdsma • Stacey Winick • The Scott & Yasmine Zyne-Coleman Family
ORGANIZATIONS: Belzer’s Hardware • Cendyn • Louise Baxter King Charitable Foundation • MacCutcheon Family Foundation
The Mattfolk Family Foundation
❤ LIFETIME MEMBERS ❤
BECOME A PART OF H&S IN OUR 2016 YEAR!