BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — For nearly 15 years, this week's 'Hometown Hero' has dedicated his time to helping those in need in his community.
Art Polacheck is a beloved volunteer at Boca Helping Hands where he helps pack meal kits and fill bags of groceries for those who are struggling to put food on the table.
He’s also recently combined his love of giving back with his passion for classic cars to help raise thousands of dollars for the nonprofit.
Just a few weeks ago, Art celebrated his 96th birthday surrounded by his friends and fellow volunteers at Boca Helping Hands, doing exactly what he loves.
“When I leave here, I just feel great that I have performed something of need and of purpose, that’s why I do this,” Art says.
When Art retired after years of running his own business, he was looking for something to keep him grounded, something to give him purpose again, and that’s exactly what he found at the Boca-based nonprofit.
“Even though we're doing what we're doing, there’s a camaraderie,” Art explains. “It’s a very powerful thing being able to work with others who have the same interests as you and I feel good when I leave here, like I’ve really accomplished something.”
Boca Helping Hands has been serving families in Palm Beach County for decades, providing food, medical, and financial assistance as well as education, job training, and guidance to those in need.
Art says something a lot of people may not realize just how great the need is in the Boca area.
“It's such an affluent community that you would think that no one had any needs, but that's not the case, there are many people that really need our help and we're certainly here to provide that help for them.”
Executive director, Greg Hazel, says that the growing need in the community is the reason they need more volunteers like Art.
“Without people like Art, you know, people who are willing to dedicate their time and their talents to help us perform the work that we do, this doesn't happen.”
Greg says it’s hard to put into words just how special it is to have Art on their team.
“Art is not typical, but he's an example of the kind of volunteer that is such an inspiration to us here at Boca Helping Hands,” Greg says. “Someone with years of dedication at a point where he doesn't need to do this and it feels as if we are family, you know he's kind of a part of the fabric of the organization, and we feel as if we're a part of his life.”
Art, who has been a classic car enthusiast since the 1940s, recently held a classic car show with 75 cars on display to benefit Boca Helping Hands. The event raised $10,000.
“I just love coming here and I can't wait to come back and do what I do every week.”
