This is the second consecutive year the donor has participated in this initiative, and his philanthropic contribution amounts to $24,000, that will positively impact a total of 20 families.
Ten new families will be selected from a cross-section of the organization’s programs and various locations within the Boca Helping Hands service area. Three of the candidates are participants in the BHH Job Training Program. Another five pick-up pantry bags or hot meals at BHH’s Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth food distribution locations. Finally, two candidates are clients in BHH’s Resource Center, who were seeking emergency financial assistance for childcare expenses or overdue rent and utility bills.
All these families were chosen because, in addition to the specific need for which they sought BHH’s support, they were also battling other ongoing issues with food insecurity, joblessness, or caregiving for other family members. The anonymous donor wanted to specifically help families like these who are facing hardships on several fronts.
“We are always grateful for and inspired by partners like our anonymous donor who find their own way to make a big difference in the lives of our clients,” said Greg Hazle, Boca Helping Hands Executive Director. “For each of these families, a $100 gift card each month for the next year will quite likely be a determining factor in their ability to afford other basic needs.”
One of the recipients of the gift cards from last year, Victor Bembry, a BHH Commercial Driving graduate, said, “It’s eye-opening to know that there are people out there who don’t even want you to know who they are. They want to donate to someone to help the next person. That’s a blessing.”
Boca Helping Hands’ Director of Job Training and Career Development, Trina Chin Cheong, who presented some recipients with their gift cards, could see the immediate impact.
“Some aim to pay it forward, and others are determined to finish their training programs stronger than before,” Chin Cheong said. “One job training student had tears in his eyes as he took a step back from receiving his gift card and said, ‘You guys have helped me so much already. What have I done to deserve more?’”
