For more than six years, Charles and Debbie Coward have supported Boca Helping Hands and its mission.
New York transplants via Trinidad and Tobago, the couple spent 42 years working long hours in the city, leaving little time to invest in local nonprofits. After retiring in 2015, Charles and Debbie moved to South Florida and settled down in West Boca.
Charles immediately found community with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's fraternal organization that volunteered at Boca Helping Hands once a month. After being introduced to BHH, Charles and Debbie started coming on their own, volunteering at BHH’s West Boca drive-thru location.
They started working volunteer shifts at BHH’s East Boca location, packing and sorting produce in the warehouse. The two have become invaluable assets to the team, registering clients, packing pantry bags, and maintaining the warehouse and cold storage units, amongst many other roles. Currently volunteering two, sometimes three times a week, the couple has cumulatively dedicated 5,122 hours of their time and talents.
They both feel grateful to work alongside other dedicated volunteers. Charles said, "It’s just a joy to volunteer here. Everyone is so nice.” Debbie added that the common denominator among the volunteers is the drive to make a difference. Charles says they feel compelled to help the community because “no adult or child should have to worry about whether or not they’ll wake up without food.”
The Cowards are proud Boca Raton residents and look forward to continuing their work here at BHH.
