Beyond Generosity: The Lasting Impact of GP
For more than four decades, Gary Peters built a career in financial services. Since turning his attention to philanthropy, he has dedicated himself to strengthening families, creating opportunities for young people, and helping build a stronger South Florida community.
For Gary Peters, known to friends as GP, philanthropy has never been simply about writing a check. It is about showing up, investing in people, building relationships, and creating opportunities that can change the course of a life. Through decades of volunteer leadership, mentorship, and family philanthropy, GP has become a deeply committed supporter of organizations throughout Boca Raton and Palm Beach County.
After more than 40 years in the financial services industry, Peters retired in 2008 to focus full-time on philanthropy. What began as a commitment to giving back evolved into a defining chapter of his life, one marked by hands-on involvement, long-term relationships, and an enduring belief that people deserve the opportunity to build better futures. His philanthropic work spans organizations dedicated to youth development, education, housing, and essential social services. Among the organizations associated with his legacy are Sheridan House Ministries, Place of Hope, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), CityHouse, Fuller Center, Boca Helping Hands, and several others across Palm Beach County. Across each of these nonprofits, Gary has displayed time, leadership, and a willingness to remain engaged when an organization faces its greatest challenges.
Kelly Fleming, Impact 100 Palm Beach County Past President, has witnessed Gary’s commitment to the community firsthand. She said, “Having served alongside Gary in support of so many wonderful organizations throughout Boca Raton, I've seen firsthand that when our community needs someone to step up, Gary is always there. What makes Gary so special extends well beyond his remarkable generosity. He has a genuine heart for serving others and a deep commitment to giving people a hand up, creating opportunities that can truly change the trajectory of their lives. He is living proof that philanthropy is about much more than writing a check. It's about inspiring others, building lasting relationships, and helping organizations grow and thrive so they can continue changing lives for generations to come.”
A Foundation Built on Mentorship
Gary’s South Florida philanthropic journey began with Sheridan House Ministries, where he was involved for 25 years. He mentored young people, helped organize fundraising MONOPOLY tournaments, and supported opportunities for children to develop the confidence, skills, and connections needed to succeed.
For GP, investing in young people meant recognizing their potential before they recognized it. One of those young people was Alain Troadec, whose relationship with Peters began in 1988. Gary’s mentee, Alain Troadec said, “I met Gary Peters in 1988. I was able to win a college scholarship playing MONOPOLY. In 1992, he hired me, and 34 years later, I am still in the business. He took a chance on me and I will never forget it.”
Troadec’s experience illustrates the lasting impact of Peters’ approach to philanthropy. A scholarship became an opportunity for education; an opportunity became a career; and a decision to believe in someone became a relationship that lasted a lifetime. His story is one example of the many lives Peters has influenced through personal investment, encouragement, and a willingness to open doors.
The Gary Peters Family Foundation: A Family Commitment to Giving
In 2004, Peters established the Gary Peters Family Foundation to provide a focused structure for his charitable work and encourage a lasting commitment to philanthropy within his family. “My father’s lead by example mentality has inspired our family to be more aware of those in need and to get more involved with charitable causes. Personally, my volunteer work with Boca Helping Hands began 17 years ago as a result of his involvement,” said Greg Peters, Gary’s son and BHH Board Member.
Two Decades of Impact at Boca Helping Hands
Among Peters’ many philanthropic commitments, his relationship with Boca Helping Hands stands out for its depth, duration, and influence on the organization's development. The relationship began in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in 2005. As South Florida communities struggled with the storm's effects, Peters learned that Boca Helping Hands needed financial assistance to continue its work. He delivered a check to support the organization’s immediate efforts, not realizing that this initial act of generosity would become the beginning of a two-decade commitment.
What started as a single contribution soon grew into a defining partnership. In 2006, Peters became president of the Boca Helping Hands Board of Directors, taking on a leadership role at a pivotal time in the nonprofit’s development. His involvement coincided with a period of growth, increasing community need, and major organizational transitions. Rather than limiting his role to governance, Peters became an active champion of the organization's mission, helping mobilize support, strengthen fundraising, and advance plans to expand its capacity. In 2007, he championed Boca Helping Hands’ first MONOPOLY game night, drawing on a fundraising format that had already played a meaningful role in his work with Sheridan House Ministries. The event became part of the organization’s fundraising tradition, combining community engagement with support for essential services.
Peters also helped guide Boca Helping Hands through a major period of expansion. Following a devastating fire in 2009 that damaged its facilities, the organization worked to consolidate its operations and establish a larger, more effective home. The Remillard Family Resource Center opened in 2010, supported by a broader community of donors that included the Gary Peters Family Foundation. Peters’ leadership helped advance the vision for a facility that could bring services together and accommodate the organization's growing needs. As demand increased, Boca Helping Hands continued expanding its operations, including the acquisition of a second building in 2017 to support job training and mentoring programs and the opening of an additional warehouse in 2021.
His impact at Boca Helping Hands has been about more than facilities, fundraising events, or organizational growth. It has also been about helping build an institution capable of meeting immediate needs while developing programs that support greater independence and stability. Reflecting on his father's work, Greg Peters said, “My father’s philanthropic mission, focused on children and families, began in the 1980’s. Countless single mothers, troubled teens, and struggling families have directly benefited from his generosity. Additionally, his tireless leadership and relentless drive helped Boca Helping Hands expand into the premier social services agency in Palm Beach County serving 40,000+ people annually.”
After decades in financial services and nearly two decades of full-time philanthropic focus, GP continues to embody the principle that giving back is not simply something one does. It is a commitment to helping others build better lives and ensuring that the organizations serving them have the support, leadership, and resources to continue that work for generations to come.
