Successful Annual Be Great Dinner Benefits Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club
Dinner Held in Conjunction with ‘Boys & Girls Club Day’ of Delray Beach
West Palm Beach, FL (April 14, 2014) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (BGCPBC) hosted the second annual Be Great Dinner to benefit the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Delray Beach Marriott. The dinner and the day’s events raised over $192,000 for the Delray Club and honored Michael and Susan Mullin, recipients of the Forrest and Frances Lattner Award and Kyra Dobard, the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach’s Youth of the Year. Over 250 BGCPBC supporters attended the Be Great Dinner.
Michael and Susan Mullin received the Forrest and Frances Lattner Award, the “Be Great Award”, recognizing members in the community for outstanding achievements and dedication to the BGCPBC. Thirteen years ago, Mayor Tom Lynch and Marc deBaptiste identified Michael Mullin as an ideal candidate for the Boys & Girls Club Delray Beach Board of Directors. Shortly after accepting his position on the board, he and his wife Susan created the concept for the much-anticipated annual Holiday Trunk Show, which also benefits the Delray Club. The Trunk Show, hosted in December, is now on its twelfth year. Mullin now sits on the Palm Beach County Corporate Board of Directors, which oversees the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Delray Beach Boys & Girls Club in addition to the other twelve clubs. Michael and Susan Mullin were presented with the “Be Great Award” at the dinner.
“For more than a decade, the Mullin’s have provided unparalleled dedication on many levels to the BGCPBC. Through their steadfast commitment and passion, they have created tremendous awareness for the Club, raised thousands of dollars to support its much-needed programs, and helped provide scores of children with a heightened awareness of opportunities available for their future through the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of the BGCPBC.
Kyra Dobard, age 16, is the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach 2014 Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year competition is a national Boys & Girls Club of America program that enables local organizations to compete with other Clubs regionally and nationally for the title of National Youth of the Year. Kyra is an honor roll student from Atlantic Community High School, an exemplary community volunteer, an inspiring natural leader, and a member of the Delray Beach Club for the past 9 years. She gave an inspiring speech at the Be Great dinner and received a standing ovation.
Earlier on April 3rd, the town of Delray Beach rallied around the Boys & Girls Clubs for “Boys and Girls Club Day,” proclaimed by Mayor Cary D. Glickstein. Many stores on or near Atlantic Avenue donated 10% or more of all sales on April 3, 2014 to the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach. Participating vendors included Periwinkle, Hand’s, J.McClaughlin, Juliet Salon, Salutations of Delray Beach, Marianne Gourmet Food & Catering, Lois Brezinski Artworks, MARG of Pepper Pike, Tootsie’s, Mimi’s, Sequin Delray Beach, Vince Ganning, The Trouser Shop and The Snappy Turtle.
Delray Beach Mayor Cary D. Glickstein believes strongly in the importance of the Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club of Delray Beach, and proclaimed “Boys & Girls Club Day” in February 2014. “I think we can agree the measure of any great society is how we care for and prepare our children to be successful, productive adults. Otherwise, how else can we ensure they have a fair shot at becoming responsible citizens and leaders? Our Boys & Girls Club does just that, and they help keep our children both safe and successful, both now and in the future,” said Mayor Glickstein.
“I’m thrilled with the success of the second Be Great Dinner, and the first “Boys & Girls Club Day”. Delray Beach has always supported its local Boys & Girls Club. Together, these two events help support our future leaders and continue to make an impact in these children’s lives. I’m looking forward to an even bigger and better Boys & Girls Club Day next year,” said Beau Delafield, Delray Beach Board President.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. The thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 6,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
