WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (May 20, 2020) – West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James recognizes and thanks this week’s ‘WPB Together Heroes’ for supporting the West Palm Beach community in efforts to overcome COVID-19 impacts:

• The Growick Family,
• Richard and Betsy Sheerr,
• Ms. Merelin Braymes,
• Craig and Bonnie Glover,
• Very Important Paws,
• Florida Power & Light Company.
• West Palm 100, Inc.

These individuals and organizations donated a combined $8700 to the ‘WPB Together Fund’. The WPB Together fund was created by Mayor James as a challenge to individuals and businesses, who are able, to match the City’s recovery assistance funding. Donations to the WPB Together Fund will be distributed to non-profits benefiting West Palm Beach residents impacted by COVID-19. Needs that may be satisfied include meals, housing/rental assistance, small business assistance, and more. The WPB Together Fund was established through the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. To donate, please visit: https://www.yourcommunityfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-Donor-Funds?fn=WPB+Together+Fund .

These individuals join these WPB Together Heroes, who were previously acknowledged for their acts of philanthropy and goodwill:

• Charles and Amanda Schumacher, Schumacher Automotive Group,
• Farm Share, provider of free produce to families in need throughout the state of Florida,
• Fmr. U.S. Rep. Mark Foley,
• Tree of Life Foundation, a local 501 (c)3 that supports philanthropic efforts locally, nationally and internationally
• These outstanding individuals and organizations recently came together to partner with the City to host a drive-through community food distribution event at Dreher Park. Approximately 400 West Palm Beach families who have been negatively affected by COVID-19 received a few days’ worth of groceries and diapers, if also needed. Thanks to the donation of critical resources by the groups involved, local families were able to continue feeding their loved ones during this ongoing pandemic. The event was executed with the help of the City’s COVID-19 Response Unit’s ‘Food, Water & Medicine Group’ led by Commissioner Christy Fox, Neighborhoods First Director Tiffany David, and employees in the City’s Public Works and Parks Departments.
• Lili Winkler: Resident, Lili Winkler Designs
• Lili Winkler has dedicated herself to helping the brave frontline workers who have been caring for the sick and vulnerable members of our community. She has made and donated hundreds of face masks to hospitals, nursing homes, post offices, pharmacies and supermarkets throughout our community and country.
• South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
• The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has been hard at work 3D printing face shields for first responders as they continue working in the wake of COVID-19. Recently, the science center donated 150 of these shields to the West Palm Beach Police Department and West Palm Beach Fire Department so that emergency personnel could safely carry out their mission of protecting our community.
• Martha & Ralph Reyes: Owners of Havana Cuban Restaurant in West Palm Beach
• Jason Batallan and Tony Batallan: Owners of Property Works in West Palm Beach
• Tony Hernandez: West Palm Beach artist
• Together, Mr. and Mrs. Reyes, the Batallans and Mr. Hernandez all donated bags of food to the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD). Distributed by WPBPD Chief Frank Adderley, Asst. Chief Frank Morris, members of WPBPD and Neighborhoods First Director Tiffany David, these donations supplied +500 families and individuals adversely impacted by COVID-19 with a week’s worth of groceries.
• West Palm 100: A not-for-profit charitable organization
• West Palm 100 purchased $500 in hand sanitizer from Steel Tie Spirits Co. and donated it to West Palm Beach first responders. They also donated $500 to Hospitality Helping Hands, an organization which feeds unemployed restaurant workers and low-income seniors.
• Rodney Mayo & Hospitality Helping Hands, a non-profit charitable organization
• Rodney Mayo, owner of the Subculture Group, quickly jumped into action to help countless local hospitality workers who lost employment due to COVID-19 mitigation. Hospitality Helping Hands was created to provide warm meals to these workers and seniors who are unable to leave their homes. Since this non-profit was established, thousands of free prepared meals and groceries have been handed out at Howley’s and Hullabaloo restaurants and distribution centers.
• Feeding South Florida: Food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties
• Feeding South Florida, a recognized name in the fight against hunger, has hosted various food distribution events throughout West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County. During one event, the organization teamed up with the City’s parks and recreation department for an event at Gaines Park. Approximately 700 individuals and families received a bag of groceries during the two-hour drive-thru food distribution event.
• Cotton Bottom Diaper Bank: Diaper bank serving low-income families in Palm Beach County
• Cotton Bottom Diaper Bank has partnered with the City of West Palm Beach’s COVID-19 Response Unit to address the diaper need throughout our community. Run solely by volunteers, the organization has donated diapers to non-profits and the City of West Palm Beach for distribution to families facing hardship during COVID-19. Thanks to their efforts, countless families with young children can care for their babies with adequate diaper and potty-training materials.
• Safebound Storage and Moving: Local moving company that has teamed up with Cotton Bottom Diaper Bank
• Safebound Storage and Moving has teamed up with Cotton Bottom Diaper Bank in their distribution of diapers throughout the City. During this time, the company has continually provided storage and transportation services free of charge. The team at Safebound Storage and Moving has accepted and picked up diaper deliveries, transported thousands of materials to their drop-off site, hosted diaper distributions at their facility, and have even driven as far as Tampa to pick up donations intended for local families.
• Thierry Beaud: Owner, Titou Hospitality Group 
• Thierry Beaud is the owner of the Titou Hospitality Group, which includes restaurants such as Pistache and The Regional. Beaud and his team have collaborated with Feeding South Florida for their weekly food distribution events in West Palm Beach. At each event, about 700 families—or approximately 28,000 people- are served.
• Juan Orellana: Owner, Florida Bicycle Operations LLC
• Juan Orellana, known to many as “The Bike Guy,” has dedicated his time by helping fellow West Palm Beach residents maintain their bicycles in working condition. He continues to provide pro bono bicycle repairs and donations to those who are critically in need of transportation. Thanks to Juan’s efforts, community members still have a way to get to their place of employment and other essential locations, as well as a way to relieve stress during a trying time.

‘WPB Together Heroes’ recognizes individuals and organizations who go above and beyond for their community. To nominate a person or group who is a WPB Together Hero, please send their name, organization name, a brief description of their philanthropic work and a picture to Amanda Paez, Marketing Coordinator, at apaez@wpb.org.

To learn more about the City’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, visit https://www.wpb.org/ or call City Hall (561) 822-1200 (TTY: 800-955-8771).