Delray Beach Initiative | Your Delray Boca

Things that Work Edition

It’s time for some positivity.
Social media and conventional media are full of bad news these days.
It’s time to take a look at what’s working.
Fortunately, this is by no means a complete list. And please send me some suggestions for future posts, we’d love to spotlight the good in our community.

Delray Beach Initiative –think of this group of committed citizens as a SWAT team for good. Essentially they go where they are needed helping local schools and non profits by raising funds and awareness. Over the weekend, they hosted “Delray’s Got Talent” at the Elks Club which in addition to being a lot of fun raised funds for the Miracle League, a non-profit that works too. To get involved or learn more visit https://delraybeachinitiative.com/

The Delray Beach Historical Society–under the leadership of Winnie Edwards, the Historical Society has new energy and life with lots of activities, exhibits and projects. They have a robust social media presence and have activated their home at the historic Cason Cottage. I like how the Historical Society is conducting interviews with residents who have insights into local history. I’ve longed felt we have neglected to capture the stories of our pioneers and key contributors so future generations may learn about their hometown. To learn more and get involved visit https://www.delraybeachhistory.org/

Boca Economic Development–Jessica Del Vecchio is a force of nature promoting job growth and corporate achievement in Boca Raton. Is there are a lot to talk about? Oh yes. But there’s also a whole lot to admire about how the City of Boca is messaging its successes. The Economic Development office fosters pride by spotlighting the contributions and achievements of local companies and touting the city as a great place to invest and run a business. Here’s a link to the office https://www.myboca.us/470/Economic-Development

FAU Research Park–Park leader Andrew Duffel is an economic development rock star who was recently recognized for his stellar work. The Park has become a job engine for the region and the home of a lot of innovation. Bravo! The Research Park’s website is a cornucopia of great information that will get you informed and excited about the future of tech innovation in our backyard.

https://www.research-park.org/

The Arts Garage–since taking the helm, Marjorie Waldo has steadied the ship, engaged the community and continued the great programming. Yes! If you haven’t been to the Arts Garage, make sure to catch a show, you won’t regret it. The venue is intimate and easily accessible. There’s a lot of ways to get involved visit https://artsgarage.org/ to learn how.

Old School Square–President Rob Steele and Board Chair Bill Branning have gotten the tour of political dysfunction in Delray but through it all have managed to stay positive and focused on the big picture which is and has always been serving as a cultural catalyst and community gathering spot. Rob’s ability to reach out to key community partners is refreshing. Bill’s strength as a leader is inspiring. https://oldschoolsquare.org/

Anthony’s Cold Fire Pizza–you can always count on Pedro Andrade, Anthony’s manager in Delray to step up to help the community. Aside from serving amazing wings and ridiculously good pizza, Anthony’s is a great corporate citizen.
There’s more. A whole lot more.
So much to be thankful for in your Delray Boca.

Weekend Best Bet: All American Tailgate Party

A Tailgate Party: Delray style.

It’s been billed as South Florida’s largest tailgate party and it happens right here in Delray Beach.

But unlike other tailgate parties which are designed to rev you up for the big game, the “All American Delray Tailgate” party is designed to raise money for local kids, specifically children who attend the Delray-based Achievement Centers for Children and Families, a local non-profit with a rich history of taking good care of Delray’s most at risk children.

The 8^th annual Tailgate Party is set for May 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Delray Center for the Performing Arts at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave.

Fans who attend will enjoy food from popular Delray Beach restaurants, craft micro-brew beer, live entertainment and a Family Fun Zone.

Hosted by the Delray Beach Initiative, proceeds from this event help low-income children and families in the community. The event is volunteer-driven with all net proceeds benefiting the Achievement Centers for Children & Families.

The Delray Beach Initiative is a brand new group of business and civic leaders who have come together for the express purpose of raising money to benefit local children. So far, the Initiative, founded by Stuart and Shelby Development CEO Chuck Halberg has hosted singer-songwriter events and a charity cruise that benefitted Pine Grove Elementary School, a local Title 1 school in which many students are on the free and reduced lunch program.

But the big event for the Initiative is the Tailgate which over the past eight years has become a Delray Beach tradition.

The goal this year is to raise $35,000.

“We’re swinging for the fences,” said Halberg. “I think with the community’s support we can do it.”

Admission is $25 for adults, youth ages 13-20 is $10 and children are free.

Admission includes free parking (before 5 pm), lots of food, craft beers, live entertainment and fantastic door prizes and giveaways…not to mention the Family Fun Zone with entertainment for the entire family.

Delray Beach Initiative members have been successful in landing a who’s who of business sponsors including Stuart & Shelby Development, Real Time Marketing, Iberia Bank, Delray Elks Lodge 1770, Mark Gerretson Memorial Fishing Tournament, Jaxx Consulting Technology, attorney Lee Cohen, Weiner, Lynne and Thompson Attorneys at Law, Scirocco Insurance, the Delray Beach Police Department, DADA restaurant, Waste Management, Delray Motors, Embroid Me, Island Air Conditioning, Chamber Men’s Group, Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, City of Delray, Red Hook, Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, Delray Center for the Performing Arts, Pixel Print, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Papas Tapas, Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, The Pineapple, Grand Tavern, BJ’s, Southgate Design, Silver Star Provisions, Cheney Brothers, Fresh Meal Plan and Atlantic Ave magazine.

Tickets to the event are also available via the website www.delraytailgate.com.