PALM BEACH BRIDES 2023: Traditions and Trends

In the realm of weddings, the interplay between timeless traditions and contemporary trends shapes unforgettable celebrations. One steadfast tradition that endures is the exchange of vows — a heartfelt declaration of commitment. However, in 2024, couples are infusing their ceremonies with personalized touches, creating bespoke experiences that resonate deeply.

One emerging trend is the fusion of cultures, as couples intertwine customs from diverse backgrounds, honoring their heritage in a harmonious union. These inclusive ceremonies celebrate the rich tapestry of love, reflecting the couple’s shared values and individual identities.

In terms of design, a return to understated elegance is prevalent. Neutral color palettes, punctuated with subtle hints of pastels, exude a timeless sophistication. Handcrafted elements, like artisanal stationery and unique favors, infuse the celebration with a personal touch.

Sustainability stands as a prevailing ethos in modern weddings. Couples are embracing eco-conscious choices, from locally sourced, organic cuisine to ethically produced décor. This conscientious approach not only aligns with contemporary values but also crafts a celebration that treads lightly on the planet.

Ultimately, the blend of cherished traditions and innovative trends allows couples to craft weddings that are uniquely their own, resonating with meaning and reflecting the beauty of their shared journey.

On these pages, Wellington The Magazine shares some of our favorite traditions and trends — perhaps some that you will incorporate into your wedding day!

Champagne Towers
Champagne towers have forever symbolized joyous occasions, and they are poised to make a dazzling return in 2023 and 2024. Elevate your reception by adorning it with a magnificent display of champagne glasses, creating effervescent cascades that encapsulate the epitome of opulence and sophistication.

Audio Guestbooks
Bid farewell to those conventional guestbooks! Audio guestbooks are emerging as a distinctive trend, enabling guests to convey heartfelt messages and well wishes through their recorded voices. This interactive and intimate gesture imbues your wedding memories with an additional layer of sentimentality.

Entirely Vegan Menus
While including a vegan option on wedding menus has been a standard practice for years, we are now seeing more people committing to an entirely vegan menu. A growing number of couples are favoring plant-based choices as their main culinary focus due to the creativity and delectable offerings available.

Something Blue
The tradition of wearing something blue remains timeless. Brides are using this hue to enhance classic white bridal attire. What sets this trend apart from earlier interpretations of “something blue” is that these blue elements are a part of the primary ceremonial look, rather than being reserved as a reception accessory.

Small Bouquet
Pinterest trends indicate a shift toward petite bridal bouquets, replacing the opulent, lavish arrangements of years past. These exquisite, hand-held bouquets feature delicate blooms such as lily, lilac, astilbe and lavender. Despite their elegant appearance, these cut flowers also offer a practical advantage.

Coastal Chic
While beach weddings have long held their popularity, 2024 will see coastal chic weddings stepping into the spotlight. These weddings artfully combine refined nautical elements, understated coastal embellishments and breezy color palettes. Soft blues, sandy neutrals and sea-inspired accents come together to cultivate a relaxed, yet refined atmosphere.

Smoke Mines
Smoke mines have become the hottest trend that many brides are eagerly embracing. This newfound sensation, catapulted to fame through viral TikTok videos, represents the pinnacle of wedding wow factor. Whether in search of a stunning ceremony finale or a daytime grand entrance or exit, smoke mines provide the full spectacle of fireworks in broad daylight!

360 Photo Booth
The hottest trend in wedding photography is the 360-degree photo booth! Unlike traditional setups, this cutting-edge creation captures dynamic, panoramic shots from every angle, providing an immersive experience for couples and guests. It’s a fun, interactive way to add a modern twist to your wedding memories. Get ready to share your special day in a whole new dimension!

Multicultural Celebrations
Gone are the days of settling for a single set of ceremony traditions. Today’s couples embrace inclusivity by weaving together facets of their respective cultures or religions to craft a distinctive ceremony that reflects both familial sides. It’s important that everyone involved in the execution, including the chosen venue, is informed about the traditions you intend to incorporate

Bridesmaid Dress Colors
Whether your taste leans toward soft and neutral tones or bold and vibrant hues, 2024 offers a spectrum of options for every bride. From lively palettes to sustainable touches, and even the allure of destination weddings, the choices are boundlessly inspiring. Notably, various shades of green, classic black and vivid colors are emerging as popular selections for bridesmaid dresses.

Next-Level Roof Styling 
Elevate your wedding experience with a beautifully styled roof canopy for your reception. Envision enchanting hanging floral arrangements, captivating lighting designs and cascading drapery in soft, luxurious fabrics. This exquisite addition will transform your celebration into a truly enchanting affair from the floor below to the unique canopy overhead!

PALM BEACH BRIDES 2023: Q& A  Capturing Your Unique Wedding Story

The right wedding photographer will provide the happy couple with memories to last a lifetime. Communication with your wedding photographer is crucial to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that your special day is captured beautifully for all time. To learn more about hiring a professional wedding photographer, we spoke to Frank Koester of Through These Eyes Photography, who works alongside his wife, Erica.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background. How did you get into wedding photography, and how long have you been doing it?
 A: I began my journey in photography back in 1998. I was working for a company on Long Island doing children’s sports portraits. We did outdoor and indoor locations. After a few months of working there, I convinced my wife to come along on the photo shoots. She learned quickly and began taking team photos. I also began working for the New York Daily News, Newsday and a bunch of other newspapers. It was fun and exciting meeting so many people and being some place different every day. This is also the foundation of photographing weddings. One of the papers had a section called Down the Aisle. It featured two couples each week. No other photographers wanted to cover these assignments, but I enjoyed meeting the couples and hearing their stories. This was really where I first began in the wedding industry. Two years later, I began shooting weddings on my own and loved them. I was the only working journalist who also did wedding photography as well. It makes for a unique and interesting take on wedding photography, blended with journalism and storytelling. My wife and I are going into our 15th year of capturing couples’ love stories.

Q: How would you describe your photography style?
A: It’s definitely a unique style, since my background is in journalism. I’ve been a photojournalist in the media for more than 20 years, and that storytelling style of shooting easily carried over to telling a couple’s wedding story. Just as each couple is unique, so is their wedding story. I would have to say our style is a mix of editorial/storytelling.

Q: How far in advance do you recommend that couples book photography services for their wedding?|
A: The recommended time to book your photographer in most cases is about 18 months out. We are a husband-and-wife team and only book one wedding per weekend.  We want to be able to focus our full attention on you and your day. We also do not subcontract out weddings. Meaning, once you book us, that date is blocked for you, and it will be my wife and I who show up. We have had people book in less time when we have had openings.

Q: What are some of the different photography packages that you offer, and what do they include?
A: We like to keep things simple. We offer hourly rates for mini weddings. We also have packages to cover 6 to 8 hours. We are very flexible and can cater packages to the needs of the couple. All the packages include all the edited images and an online gallery, so you can share them easily with friends and family. We also have a photo booth, which can be added to any package or booked separately.

Q: What are some of the more unique locations that you have done wedding photography? Are there any particular types of wedding venues that you prefer?
A: We did a few weddings at the top of Whiteface Mountain in New York, an island wedding on the cliffs in St. Thomas, and another on a dairy farm complete with cows. We love and specialize in those intimate, unique wedding locations. Those are really our favorites, and you can instantly see how the setting reflects the couple’s personality.

Q: Do you often travel to photograph weddings?
A: When we lived in New York, we traveled most weekends   to different locations, mainly in and around upstate. Now that we live in Florida, we mainly stick to Florida’s east coast. Yet we are always open to destination weddings in new and exciting locations.

Q: Do you offer video services? If so, what type?
A:  We do offer video. My wife and I work closely with a videographer who also comes from a storyteller/media background. Their creative philosophy is much like ours, believing every couple is unique, and each wedding is its very own story. Being a boutique service, they also book limited weddings.

Q: What are some of the current trends in wedding photography?
A: I am seeing now a lot of people like “posed” candid pictures. It’s not uncommon for a couple to send me some images they found online and ask me to recreate them. I do tell them yes, we can, but are you looking for another couples’ photos to represent your wedding or do we want to capture you in your story, something that is unique and special? After they have had some time to reflect on what I am suggesting, they turn away from the photos they found or narrow it down to just a few, and then want images which will be their own.

Q: What kind of equipment do you typically bring with you?
A: We use all professional cameras and lenses. We also bring external lighting for any locations that may be dark. Aside from the equipment, we are also fully insured, which is something many venues require. A couple should always ask about this to any vendor they hire before giving them any money.

Q: How do clients receive their photography after the wedding? Do you work with them on traditional photography books? What are today’s couples looking for as keepsakes?
A: After their wedding, we send the couples a download link, and they can save the files to a hard drive. Sadly, we do not get many requests for albums anymore. Everyone wants the photos to post on social media, so we provide social ready images with all our packages. I hope the trend turns back to albums because they really are a family keepsake. The albums we make are custom designed, so no two albums look the same, as we don’t use premade templates. We also print our albums in house, so the couple can be part of the creative process.

Q: How can clients book you for their wedding celebration?
A: The best way to book us is to give us a call at (516) 532-8487 or send us an e-mail at fkoesterphoto@aol.com so we can talk about the details and get to know each other. During that first conversation, we also let the couple know that they get a complimentary engagement photo session.

Q: Why do you offer complimentary engagement photo sessions?|
A: We love engagement photo sessions because it gives us a chance to get to know one another in a relaxed environment. Many people have never been photographed professionally and can be nervous in front of the camera with a stranger. Your wedding day should never be the first time you meet your photographer. Engagement sessions let us get to know one another, have fun and build a relationship. Come your wedding day, we already know each other, and the photos come naturally.

Learn more about wedding photographers Frank and Erica Koester at www.throughtheseeyes-koester.com

Teeing Up For Children With Special Needs Clinics Can Help Will Celebrate A Decade Of Giving At 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Clinics Can Help (CCH) will celebrate a milestone of compassion and community collaboration at the nonprofit’s 10th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Wanderers Club in Wellington.

For Wellington resident and presenting sponsor Gil Martinez of the Gil Martinez Agency-State Farm, it’s more than an event. The tournament’s 10th anniversary is a symbol of generosity and unwavering commitment to a nonprofit that has helped his family and thousands of others in need of free medical equipment to lead more independent lives.

Martinez’s nephew Sebastian suffered a devastating spinal stroke at the age of two, leaving him partially paralyzed. CCH was there through the years to provide specialized wheelchairs as Sebastian grew. More than mobility, the charity gave him back his childhood.

“CCH has made a lifechanging impact on Sebastian and his ability to play and be with other children without limits,” Martinez said. “It gives him such a positive outlook. That’s something I want other kids like Sebastian to experience, and the reason why I’m serving as presenting sponsor. CCH does so much for children and families. We need to be there for them.”

Tournament sponsors and golfers will support the KINDER (Kids in Need of Durable Equipment Right Now) Project at CCH, which provides reused, new and customized medical equipment to children with different abilities. Many of the children helped by the nonprofit are affected by serious medical conditions, including brain or spinal cord injuries or congenital defects. Their families struggle to afford the equipment that enables them to lead more independent lives. Items like adaptive strollers can make all the difference in allowing a child with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy the chance to ride the bus, see his classmates at eye level and participate in schoolyard activities.

The cause is personal to PGA Tour champion and returning honorary chair Dana Quigley. A tragic accident involving his son brought him to CCH, inspiring him to help others who have a child with special needs. Quigley will be joined by CBS 12’s morning anchor Matt Lincoln, who returns to the tournament as its dedicated annual chair.

“We are fortunate that each year, as this event grows and evolves, the individual and community commitments remain,” CCH CEO Owen O’Neill said. “We are grateful for the continued support and love as golfers enjoy the tournament and spend time with some of our youngest clients, seeing firsthand the impact we have on families.”

The tournament is packed with memorable moments for everyone, on and off the green. It kicks off with a shotgun start at 8:45 a.m. and is played in a scramble format with mixed, men’s and women’s divisions. Adding to the fun and excitement are contests and incredible prizes for best dressed team, hole-in-one, closest to the pin (men and women) and longest drive (men and women). A silent auction, awards program and luncheon will cap off the event in the spirit of camaraderie and philanthropy.

Since O’Neill founded CCH in 2005 while he was working as a hospice nurse, he has experienced nothing but growth. He started with humble beginnings, accepting wheelchairs and home hospital beds left behind when a patient in his care passed away, placing them in a storage locker until he could deliver them to medical clinics serving patients with limited incomes and little to no insurance.

Today, CCH occupies a 5,000-square-foot office and warehouse in West Palm Beach and is the only organization of its kind in Florida and one of only four in the U.S. that provides a vast and diverse array of equipment. O’Neill and his team have grown beyond helping clinics to directly serving more than 3,000 children and adults in Palm Beach County and beyond each year. Rather than finding equipment on his own to recycle and repurpose, local hospitals, doctors’ offices and medical agencies are now coming to O’Neil, trusting in his reputation and ability to help families in need.

Martinez knows that the more people who learn about O’Neill and his organization, the more they will see what he and Sebastian know to be true. “CCH is a game changer,” Martinez said. “They let children with special needs forget their mobility issues and just be kids.”

The Clinics Can Help 10th anniversary golf classic is presented by the Gil Martinez Agency-State Farm. It will take place Friday, Oct. 27, with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start at the Wanderers Club, located at 1900 Aero Club Drive in Wellington. Tickets for the tournament range from $325 to $1,300 for golf. Lunch-only tickets are available for $100. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit www.birdease.com/cchgolf for more information.

Sponsors (at time of printing) include the Gil Martinez Agency-State Farm, the Nicolas Group, Northwestern Mutual, the Geo Group, Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa, the Brian Marketing Group, Team Chester, GOLDLAW, the Paving Lady, Irish Links and Skort Obsession. Some sponsor opportunities and limited playing spots are still available.

Visit www.clinicscanhelp.org/golf for more information about the tournament and sponsorships.

A Look At Our Village’s 2024 Budget  The $137.7 Million Spending Plan For The New Fiscal Year Is Focused On Carrying Out Wellington’s Goals

Happy fiscal new year! The Village of Wellington’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30 each year, and as such, we adopted our annual budget for the coming fiscal year on Wednesday, Sept. 20. As the economy rebalances, uncertainties persist. Higher highs and lower lows have characterized the economic swings that have occurred since the onset of the pandemic and the rebound that followed. Looking ahead, we anticipate a rebalancing of the economy, which will lead to a new set of expectations around stability. These factors permeate to the local level and combine with others that add complexity to the village’s ability to deliver services. Within our organization, we find that it’s never easy to balance the needs of the future with the needs of today. As demands on our resources continue to grow, we must thoughtfully and carefully grow to meet them.

Strategic Fundamentals 
We believe that we have accomplished our goals with this recently adopted budget. The foundation of our budget begins with our focus on our five strategic fundamentals of neighborhood renaissance, economic development, protecting our investment, responsive government and respecting the environment. We then develop the budget using insights and information from workshops with the Wellington Village Council focusing on infrastructure and facility maintenance, recreation, youth and family programs, as well as events, residential and community revitalization, and public safety.
The fiscal year 2024 budget continues our commitment to stable budgeting for sustainability. The total budget for the new fiscal year is $137.7 million and maintains the ad valorem millage rate at 2.47 mils. Expenditures increased by $9.14 million from last year as a result of inflationary price increases, expanded recreation programs and events, and infrastructure projects. The same great services are funded with the same millage rate, a $25 annual increase in the Acme Improvement District assessment and a 10 percent increase in water/sewer utility rates from the prior year.

Maintaining Service Levels 
The village conservatively budgets to maintain service levels delivered to residents and businesses while strategically increasing or expanding services as growth and demand warrant. We remain focused on managing labor costs, maintaining village reserves, funding capital rehabilitation programs, and pursuing new revenue and grant opportunities.

This budget has been developed to account for the expected rise in labor and material costs and other unavoidable expenses. It also includes augmentations to maintain service levels and address the council’s top priorities. The budget aims to further ensure the maintenance of necessary capital infrastructure for the long-term benefit of our community.

Significant Investment 
The budget incorporates a significant investment of $21 million into capital projects. This includes $7.3 million in public works, $7.4 million in utilities, and $6 million in parks and recreation. This capital investment represents a 35 percent decrease compared to last year’s adopted budget and continues to address both growth and rehabilitation of existing capital investments.

Looking Ahead
Our village continues to assess changing circumstances and prepare for the effects they may have on our ability to deliver services. While much remains out of our control, we have a strong grip on what we do control. Sound, conservative financial planning is at the core of our budget development efforts. This approach puts us in a position of strength that allows us to weather storms and leverage the opportunities that emerge.

Our residents and businesses have been valuable partners in this ongoing quest, as have the great team members we have on staff who play an undeniable role in our success. We have a multi-faceted opportunity to refocus on our organizational culture. Between retirements and a competitive labor market, with candidates with new expectations, we are reinvigorating the culture that draws high performers to our organization. As an employer of choice, we will remain open to new ways to support our employees’ success so we can continue to ensure the kind of quality of life our community values so deeply.

While one of the constants in life is change. We know that uncertainty is change’s close companion. Our resiliency lies in our preparation for uncertain times. The Village of Wellington will effectively forge new paths to remain ready to deal with whatever else may lie ahead.

Celebrating The Extraordinary Achievements Of Our Wellington Neighbors!

Step into a world where greatness knows no bounds and join us in celebrating the people who make our community special. Wellington The Magazine unveiled the Our Wellington Awards last year. This award marked the first of its kind, honoring six remarkable individuals who have given of themselves and helped to shape our beloved village into one of the top places to live in the country.

Again, this year, we pay tribute to people who have selflessly dedicated their time and talents to uplift our community. The 2023 Our Wellington Award honorees are: John Sitomer of the Council of Dads, longtime community activists Mickey and Lizz Smith, Leslie Pfeiffer of the Wellington Art Society, RoseAnn Voils of the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation, Vinceremos Therapeutic Horsemanship Center founder Ruth Menor, and Back to Basics founder Beverly Perham.

Over the next several pages, you will get to meet these inspiring individuals, who have not only done wonderful things for Wellington themselves, but through their work have inspired countless other volunteers to get involved and help build our community into what it is today. By reading their stories, you can get to know these remarkable individuals, discover the motivations behind their journeys and learn more about the organizations they champion. This year’s recipients of the Our Wellington Awards will be honored at a special luncheon this fall, where we will celebrate them, along with all the good work they have done.

We thank everyone who nominated people for this year’s Our Wellington Awards. Choosing the honorees was a challenge, but we hope this program helps us continue to build a community that thrives on compassion, generosity and the spirit of making a difference. The goal is to get others involved, embrace a worthy cause and be a catalyst for positive change. Together, we can transform lives and create a brighter future for Wellington.

Our Wellington Awards 2023 – Mickey and Lizz Smith Volunteering Is A Way Of Life For  Wellington’s Mickey And Lizz Smith

Story by Mike May  |  Photo by Frank Koester

Mickey and Lizz Smith have been living in Wellington for more than three decades and truly enjoy living, working and volunteering here. While one of their favorite things to do is to travel to destinations on all seven continents, they always enjoy coming back to their Wellington home, where they plan to stay for the rest of their lives.

Among the reasons why Wellington is such a great place to live is because of the community spirit that the Smiths bring to their adopted hometown.

A personal injury attorney, Mickey remains busy as a partner in the firm Lesser, Lesser, Landy and Smith. Lizz, meanwhile, is a retired educator. She worked for 32 years as a special education teacher at local schools, such as Osceola Creek, Emerald Cove and Wellington Landings middle schools. She now stays busy as an avid volunteer.

Despite the demands of being a full-time attorney, Mickey also finds time to get involved in the community.

“When I volunteer to support local charities, I seem to get back 10 times more than I give,” Mickey said. “It’s a source of great enjoyment.”

“I’m blessed that I have the time and ability to volunteer to help local groups,” Lizz added.

The Smiths are longtime supporters of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club and the Wellington Community Foundation. Mickey served on the board of the Boys & Girls Club for 10 years and was a founding member of the Wellington Community Foundation’s board. He also serves on the board of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber and is a member of the Wellington Rotary. While Lizz is not a Rotarian, she helps as a volunteer when they support local causes.

Both enjoy supporting the Wellington Community Foundation, which would have ended when it spun off from the village had it not been for the leadership of the late Tom Wenham, Mickey said. “It was an honor to help Tom with the Wellington Community Foundation,” he said. “He and his wife Regis are the gold standard for volunteering in Wellington. Both have been inspirations to us all.”

Lizz particularly enjoyed helping the Wellington Rotary distribute food during the pandemic. “The food drive lasted for a year and helped feed many families in need,” she recalled, adding that she takes pride in supporting groups that showcase the village’s family-friendly image. “Wellington is great for families, as there is always so much to see and do.”

Another area of satisfaction is the beautification of Stribling Way, their adopted street, which has a sign with their names on it. “We set aside at least four Saturdays a year to go pick up trash along Stribling Way,” Mickey said. “We want to help keep Wellington beautiful.”

In their free time, they are huge fans of the Miami Dolphins, and also enjoy watching games involving Mickey’s two alma maters — Virginia Tech and Duke University. “When Virginia Tech plays Duke in football, I root for Virginia Tech,” Mickey said. “When they play one another in basketball, I cheer for Duke.”

In her free time, Lizz stays healthy and fit by playing tennis at the Wellington Tennis Center, which she calls “a real jewel of the community.”

The couple met at Virginia Tech. Lizz was there on a swimming scholarship while pursuing a degree in education. She was a high school state champion swimmer in Florida in 1975. At Virginia Tech, Mickey pursued a degree in industrial engineering. He then headed to Duke for his law degree, which he earned in 1985. He has practiced in Florida since then.

Moving forward, the Smiths encourage others who enjoy living in Wellington to find ways to volunteer, and in doing so, develop a stronger connection to the community.

Our Wellington Awards 2023 – Leslie Pfeiffer
Leslie Pfeiffer Helps Shine A Spotlight On Art And Culture In Wellington

Story by Mike May

For more than 40 years, Wellington has been the home of the Wellington Art Society, and one of the key leaders of this vibrant cultural nonprofit is Leslie Pfeiffer.

As a volunteer for more than 15 years, Pfeiffer brings professional skills, enthusiasm and dedication to the organization, playing an important role in artist development and community outreach. Over the years, she has served as president, board member, chaired many committees, coordinated art shows and created many Wellington Art Society programs.

Pfeiffer enjoys the collaborative spirit of the group. Currently, she is the organization’s second vice president, development chair and serves on several committees.

As development chair, Pfeiffer has secured support through in-kind and monetary donations from many local and regional sponsors and community partners for events, scholarships and outreach programs.

“Local businesses welcome the opportunity to support scholarships and community outreach and enhance the Wellington lifestyle through art and culture programs,” Pfeiffer said, noting that to date, the Wellington Art Society has awarded more than $130,000 to local high school students headed to college for art-related studies.

Pfeiffer has also been the event coordinator for many art shows and programs. She organized Art Fest on the Green, an outdoor fine art and craft show, for 13 years.

Right now, the group has more than 100 members that include art enthusiasts, emerging artists and professional artists creating a wide array of original artwork.

“Since 1981, the Wellington Art Society has brought the community together to celebrate life and art,” said Pfeiffer, who has lived in Wellington for 30 years. “The society looks forward to a bright future as we continue to inspire, educate and enhance the lives of our community through creativity and art.”

She added that the organization enriches the lives and culture of the residents of the western communities and beyond.

“The Wellington Art Society encourages originality and productivity among its members and provides a place where emerging and professional artists meet, exchange ideas and advance the appreciation of art,” Pfeiffer said.

The nonprofit also presents eight member art exhibitions a year. The shows are open daily and free to the public between the Wellington Community Center and Wellington Village Hall. At these exhibitions, more than 300 original works of art rotate throughout the year.

As part of its outreach program, the Wellington Art Society provides art supplies to schools, hospital art programs, mentoring, children’s art camp tuition, workshops and special events.

Pfeiffer’s love of art can be traced back to her childhood in the Midwest. “I started to draw at three years old and love being creative and encouraging other artists,” said Pfeiffer, whose favorite artist is John Singer Sargent. “I am passionate about art and the creative process.”

Pfeiffer, who works with her husband Randy as a Realtor with Keyes Realty Wellington, said that original artwork turns a house into a home where memories are made. She is an award-winning artist who works in mixed media, oil and watercolor.

One of the benefits of the Wellington Art Society is the chance to meet other people who have different areas of interest, she explained. “Among the many gifts of volunteering are the personal interactions and friendships that develop,” Pfeiffer said. “I have met and become friends with truly remarkable people doing extraordinary work because of their shared vision and commitment to improving lives and making a better world. I encourage everyone to find a group or start one that shares your interest and passion.”

To learn more about the Wellington Art Society, visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month from September through May at the Wellington Community Center at 5:30 p.m.

Our Wellington Awards 2023 – John Sitomer Council Of Dads Founder John Sitomer Is A Man On Many Missions To Help The Community

Story by Mike May  |  Photo by Frank Koester

In an odd way, the Wellington community should be thankful that John Sitomer has been diagnosed with cancer on four occasions since 1998 — and even more thankful that he has continued to beat the disease.

Back in 2008, Sitomer, his wife Dina and their son were living in the Bahamas when John was then diagnosed with leukemia, after overcoming testicular cancer in 1998. His doctor encouraged them to return to the U.S. for his treatment. His future looked bleak. Of all places, the Sitomers moved to Wellington.

Within seven years, he was cancer-free. Then, he started networking in his new community. In 2015, Sitomer, now 68, recalled reading the book The Council of Dads. He realized that the story, where a man battling cancer finds mentors for his children, could be replicated in Wellington.

Sitomer knew more than 30 men who would be perfect candidates for Wellington’s Council of Dads, which would be affiliated with the Wellington Wolves travel basketball organization. After meeting with the first 10 people on his list, each one agreed to serve on the new Council of Dads.

“Each man said yes and admitted that they were looking for a way to give back to the community,” said Sitomer, who has served on the Wellington Wolves’ board of directors for eight years.

The target audience for the Council of Dads would be the boys and girls affiliated with the Wellington Wolves and their siblings. While the players are talented athletes, many needed help with their academic studies. That’s where the expertise of the Council of Dads fills a void.

In addition to Sitomer, the Council of Dads roster featured many outstanding local leaders: Gerry Stumm, Howard Eisenberg, Grant Johnson, Rafi Wynn, David Kane, Dr. Jim Shecter, Dr. Gordon Johnson, Capt. Peter Smith, Jeff Sitomer and Wellington Wolves President Chris Fratalia.

The Council of Dads concept has been so successful that it has been expanded to include local high school students who are members of the National Honor Society as paid tutors. The Wellington branch library provides space for the students and their tutors to work after school, while the Council of Dads pays the tutors and provides snacks.

“We’ve been able to raise grades from Ds and Fs to As and Bs,” Sitomer said. “Our tutors teach seven different subjects for students from the fifth to the 11th grade. We even provide tutoring in Spanish. At the end of the school year, we recognize students who have GPAs of at least 3.0 with the Honor Roll Award and students with a GPA of 4.0 or higher with the Top Gun Award.”

Sitomer and the Council of Dads utilize the Wellington Wolves’ annual March Madness youth basketball tournament as a venue to collect new or slightly used shoes for In Jacob’s Shoes, a nonprofit that gathers, disinfects and distributes shoes to needy children. Since 2021, 8,777 pairs of shoes have been collected during Wellington’s March Madness event.

Also, after Hurricane Dorian slammed the Bahamas in 2019, Sitomer and the Council of Dads organization oversaw the collection and distribution of hurricane relief supplies. Sitomer helped coordinate six different cargo flights to the Bahamas. Sitomer was on board each flight to make sure that the supplies were properly distributed to those in need. Many of the donations came from people within the Wellington community.

Clearly, John Sitomer is somebody who sees a hurdle and figures out how to negotiate it, whether it’s a child who needs help in the classroom or his latest battle with cancer.

Our Wellington Awards 2023 – RoseAnn Voils
RoseAnn Voils Helps Lead Local Foundation
To Honor The Memory Of Her Late  Son

Story by Mike May  |  Photo by Frank Koester

Some people and the organizations they represent have a magnetic appeal that attracts the right people to the right place for the right cause. That aptly describes the leadership provided by RoseAnn Voils, one of the directors of the Wellington-based Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation.

The foundation has been in existence since 2009. Its mission is to give back to the Wellington community through educational and athletic opportunities to local children.

The foundation was created in memory of Voils’ son, Christopher Aguirre, who lost his life in 2006 when he was tragically struck and killed by a drunk driver while walking in downtown Fort Lauderdale. He was only 23 years old.

To help continue Christopher’s passion for helping people, the nonprofit Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation was created.

“Every parent who loses a child wants their child to be remembered, even though they are not physically on Earth,” said Voils, who works for Palm Beach County in administration at Palm Tran Connection. “What helps our family cope with the tragedy is seeing other families receive the benefits from our foundation. It helps keep Christopher’s memory alive, carries on his legacy and makes all the work we put into the foundation worthwhile.”

The foundation’s contributions to local lives in Wellington are numerous.

In 2011, the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Scholarship was established and is awarded annually to an outstanding Wellington High School senior pursuing a degree at Florida State University. Christopher was a graduate of WHS and was just a few weeks away from graduating from FSU at the time of his death. It’s a $10,000 scholarship awarded in four annual installments of $2,500. Past recipients are Jessica Pollack (2011), Truly Long (2012), Brittany Barnhart (2013), Erin McNally (2014), Elliot Dion (2015), Isabella Bruce (2016), Jessica Gabriel (2017), Kaitlyn Osmond (2018), Alyssa Adams (2019), Desandre Stanley (2020), Rylee Hagan (2021), McKenna Tosner (2022) and Rylee Bleakley (2023).

The foundation is also known for co-sponsoring events with the Village of Wellington. This year, the foundation hosted the annual Back-to-School “Party in the Park,” in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue on Aug. 4 at the Wellington Amphitheater. It was a way for local families to celebrate the end of summer and prepare for the upcoming school year. This outdoor event was free to attend and enjoy. In addition to many food trucks, there were 20 vendors, multiple bounce houses, costumed character entertainment, face painting, a disc jockey playing music, and PBSO and PBCFR vehicles to visit.

In recent years, the foundation has also underwritten local summer camp experiences for Wellington children — many of whom are members of Wellington’s Boys & Girls Club — who come from families that have limited finances.

To help make Halloween safe, the foundation has worked with officials at Wellington High School to host a “Trunk or Treat” candy giveaway in the WHS parking lot for local elementary school-age children and those from local day care centers.

“We also donate food to local churches during Thanksgiving,” Voils added. “Back in 2015, we started giving away shoes to people in need. We distribute 500 to 600 shoes a year.”

To help raise funds to support its charitable efforts throughout the year, the foundation hosts its annual invitational golf tournament every fall. This year’s tournament will be played at the Dye Preserve Golf Club in Jupiter on Nov. 13. Funds from sponsorships will be used to further the foundation’s scholarships and its other projects throughout the year.

To learn more about the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation, visit www.christophermemorial.org, find them on Facebook or contact RoseAnn Voils via e-mail at roseann@christophermemorial.org.