Julie Kime Proud To Continue Her Many Years Of Support For The Boys & Girls Club

Julie Kime may be four years into her retirement, but she is far from finished contributing to the community. Following a tour 32 years ago, she fell so in love with the children at the Boys & Girls Club that she became a tireless and consistent voice for them as a volunteer, philanthropist and board member of the organization.

Kime started out as an advisory board member for what is now the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. She is one of the first, if not the first, major sponsors of the Wellington Dinner Dance, which is the club’s largest fundraiser attracting more than 300 people and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

Kime and her husband, John, are the only benefactors who have supported and never missed one single dinner dance in the event’s 31-year history. She has long served on the event’s committee and has been a fierce solicitor of auction items to help raise even more money.

After serving on the Wellington advisory board for several years, Kime joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s corporate board of directors. She now serves on both the local club’s advisory board and the organization’s corporate board.

Kime has stayed true to her roots in Wellington. Four years after selling her Allstate Insurance agency in Wellington, she continues to commute frequently from her home in Palm Beach Gardens to take part in the club’s activities, such as its Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Summer Bash, Thanksgiving Meal, Holiday Party and more.

Kime’s roots go deep into the very heart of the Village of Wellington. In 1982, Kime opened her insurance agency, which became one of the most successful in Palm Beach County. Of Cuban background, she was the first Hispanic female agent in the county to operate an Allstate agency.

Now, Wellington boasts a population of 64,848 and Money magazine named it among the “Top 100” Best Places to Live. Kime is ingrained into the very history of Wellington. Many things have transformed in Wellington, including it becoming the “Equestrian Capital of the World.” Yet Kime has remained steadfast in her commitment to the area. She knew as a young entrepreneur that Wellington was a special place.

“I love Wellington and its sense of community,” Kime explained. “I enjoy the people here and especially the children. I felt I would make the greatest impact by choosing one charity and staying with it.”

She chose the Boys & Girls Club as the recipient of her giving spirit. The community seeds she has sown in Wellington have harvested not only a successful business, but also lifelong friends and many accolades.

Kime was a part of the 1990 class of Leadership Palm Beach County, as well as a founding member of what is now the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. Through the years, she has been the recipient of the Central Chamber’s Business of the Year Award, the Palms West Community Foundation’s Women of the Year Stiletto Award, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches’ Leadership Award, the Women of Worth Award presented by the Central Chamber, Hispanic Women of Distinction of South Florida and the Portrait of a Woman Award.

However, the accolades are secondary to her deep desire for making a profound difference. Kime and her husband were again one of the first to step forward with support when the initial drive to build a new, state-of-the-art Boys & Girls Club for Wellington’s children started to take shape.

In 2012, thanks to a generous $1.5 million donation from Neil S. Hirsch, $600,000 from Palm Beach County, $700,000 from the Village of Wellington and numerous other donations like from the Kimes, the organization broke ground on the new 22,570-square-foot Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club. The new club opened in April 2013.

Those who walk through the club’s doors will forever be greeted in its John and Julie Kime Welcome Center.

“The club is such a great and safe place for kids to go to after school,” Kime said. “The sheriff’s office loves it because the club helps the police by keeping youth involved in something that keeps them off the streets and away from trouble.”

That level of compassion for the community is part of Kime’s very fabric. She and her husband are also quick to donate to other local organizations, such as Palm Beach State College, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and the Everglades Foundation, to name a few.

Yet, Kime’s heart and time commitment remains with the Wellington club. Mentoring young, at-risk students and impressing upon them the importance of education, self-esteem, honesty and hard work is what makes her come alive.

“Seeing the smiles on kids’ faces, how much they love being at the club, and how grateful they are for everything that is provided to them is priceless,” Kime said.

She has leveraged her business and personal relationships to open numerous doors that broaden the horizons of club children.

During the week of Thanksgiving, she works with Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to send the PBSO to the club in the morning to set up, cook and serve a holiday meal fit for a king to the club’s 300-plus children and staff. Kime, along with the club’s board of directors, joins the festivities and breaks bread with the kids. The all-day affair is estimated to cost $10,000 annually in food, party supplies, decorations and time.

In addition, Kime’s friend J.B. Berkow, founder of the Benzaiten Center for the Creative Arts, provides 60 scholarships every year to Wellington club members. Younger kids experience hands-on sandcasting, while the older kids and teens engage in glass blowing.

Relationships are central to Kime. She and the club’s advisory board enjoy a bond that feels like a family. They support each other and roll up their sleeves together so that club children have memorable experiences, as well as resources to be productive adults.

“The dedication of the board is extraordinary,” Kime said. “They are such good and caring people who give their all and genuinely want to serve these children.”

For her contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Kime has been inducted into the Jeremiah Milbank Society as well as the Lifetime Giving Society.

Kime has dedicated her life to the Boys & Girls Club in Wellington and to the success of its young members. She looks forward to continuing to serve with as much drive and passion as when she first began her mission three decades ago.

“As long as I can, I will continue to serve,” she said.

Jeremy Nickel Brings Passion And Philanthropy To Wellington Community

On the heels of his debut party in March, Jeremy Justin Nickel has splashed onto the Wellington scene with passion, integrity and elbow grease.

These are the qualities that Nickel has imported from Napa Valley, Calif., to join Wellington’s social and dining sphere while developing his newest venture, To-Kalon Farm, an elite, multidisciplinary equestrian facility aiming to be the next destination venue in Wellington.

Moving from wine country on the west coast to the horse country of South Florida has been a formative period in Nickel’s life, and he has worked persistently over the course of a year to bring his equestrian estate up to the standards of quality that his late father, Gil Nickel, instilled in him, while giving back to causes that are near to his heart.

Nickel was born into an agricultural family that split its time between San Francisco and Oakville, Calif. From a young age, he was surrounded by some of the most notable wineries in the United States. His father, the proprietor of the Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce wineries, always sought to exceed the highest standards of oenology, the science and study of wine and winemaking, which he bestowed onto his son. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 2001, Nickel returned to the Napa Valley to assist with the grand opening of Nickel & Nickel in 2003 before his father passed away from cancer.

His father’s passing, although incredibly painful, motivated Nickel to work tirelessly to create the ultimate tribute wine in honor and appreciation of his father. The product of his dedication was a cult cabernet sauvignon, warmly branded the Vineyard House (TVH). After receiving much acclaim, Nickel decided to expand the vineyard, which is located on some of the most fertile and sought-after soil that the Napa Valley has to offer. Today, he focuses solely on the production of TVH wine and carries on his father’s legacy through his commitment to quality wine, philanthropy and his community.

“Because the vineyard is a living tribute to him, with everything I do I ask myself, ‘Is this something my dad would be proud of?’ and usually the answer is yes,” Nickel explained. “I am very proud of my family’s history and our evolution into being a leader in the wine industry, so I’ve chosen to donate a percentage of the Vineyard House’s proceeds to cancer research every year.”

Although Nickel was not planning to call Wellington home, the universe conspired to push him into a new phase of life at To-Kalon Farm, located in the heart of Wellington horse country. To-Kalon Farm is a 15-acre, multidisciplinary, full-service equestrian facility that offers high-end boarding and training with even bigger plans for the future.

The picturesque property offers a discreet yet well-positioned location less than five minutes from the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Appropriately, “To-Kalon” is an ancient Greek phrase used by Aristotle and Socrates to mean “the greatest or highest beauty.”

“I initially fell in love with the property’s potential, and I am having a lot of fun developing it,” Nickel said. “Re-designing the landscaping and working to transition it into a very tranquil and exclusive facility for people to have beautiful grounds to work with their horses on has been a very rewarding project for me.”

With the intention of hosting a multitude of equestrian activities, from boarding and training of elite show horses to scenic weddings, Nickel plans for To-Kalon Farm to become a destination facility that will fulfill a unique space in Wellington.

Featuring a 12-stall barn, arena, grass derby field, riding track, hot-walker and polo stick-and-ball field, the well-rounded equestrian space boasts everything needed and more to serve as a full-service operation surrounded by the pristine beauty that Nickel has cultivated.

“I became enthralled with the property because of the mature trees that the previous owner, dressage competitor Anthea Christian, had developed with her husband,” Nickel said. “They are from Kenya in Africa, and so the property, the trees, and the residence all have a bit of an African influence to it, which I really love.”

Africa also holds a special place in Nickel’s philanthropic heart. After attaining sobriety 11 years ago, he went on a trip to Senegal that completely altered his perspective of the world. Now, he is part of a program that builds schools in rural parts of Senegal to support several villages in the surrounding area, and he donates a percentage of proceeds from TVH to the program.

“It changed my life to get to go to a place where people live in mud huts but would give you the shirt off their back,” Nickel said. “It is not about what you have but what you appreciate and what you’re grateful for.”

Nickel has already continued his philanthropic ways in Wellington. In March, he joined forces with the Great Charity Challenge to identify a charity in need to which he could make a significant donation. Place of Hope, a Palm Beach County-based nonprofit, received $17,000 in funding thanks to a charitable donation made by TVH. The organization is dedicated to providing stable and loving family environments for children and youth who are hurting and their families. In an effort to meet the desperate needs of the children, families and the child welfare system, Place of Hope has developed a variety of programs and has become the largest, most diverse residential children’s organization in South Florida, serving 340 children and youth on a daily basis.

Through his unique life experiences, Nickel has become inspired to form an ethos of passion, integrity and hard work with a commitment to improving the lives of others that he hopes will be a positive addition to Wellington and its people for many years to come.

Bringing with him a diverse knowledge of wine, equestrian sport and philanthropy, Nickel is a fitting addition to the eclectic group of residents and visitors from around the globe that form the beautiful melting pot community of Wellington both year-round and seasonally.

Learn more about To-Kalon Farm at www.to-kalonfarm.com.

Hilda Porro Takes A Holistic And Mindful Approach To Practicing Law

Wellington attorney Hilda Porro has worked hard to cement her reputation within the community as a professional who approaches all types of legal matters with compassion, allowing her clients to understand the law and how it will affect both themselves and their families.

Specializing in holistic law, Porro chooses to focus on the whole person and their unique legal situation. For some, holistic law may be an unfamiliar term. Holistic law is an approach, or style, of practice that focuses on the individual in their entirety and how their distinctiveness as an individual influences their legal situation. The approach then seeks to find sustainable and positive solutions based on that individual’s needs and conditions.

“I chose to practice holistic law because I felt that it was a perfect combination of my values and the practice of law,” Porro said. “[Holistic law] acknowledges our shared humanity, first and foremost. The main goal is to smooth over conflicts and to aid the client in maintaining communications and show a willingness to have full conversations based on the client’s situation.”

This approach to law differs from traditional practices where the focus is generally on the facts of a client’s situation. However, her unique approach comes as no surprise, since, when not assisting clients at her legal practice, Porro also offers services as a certified life coach and shaman.

It is this unique blending of professional skills that has allowed Porro to create a practice that has not only benefited from her legal expertise, but has also maintained a small town, personal feel appreciated by many Wellington residents. Porro concentrates in three areas of law: estate planning; probate and trust administration; and real estate transactions.

Porro brings almost 30 years of experience to assist with the sale or purchase of real estate, including contract-to-closing representation in residential and commercial transactions, including review and preparation of contracts, title-related documentation and all closing documents. She also has extensive experience with both year-round Wellington residents and the seasonal equestrian community. This knowledge allows Porro to have a deep understanding of the concerns of each.

Buying and selling a home, or even an investment property, can easily become stressful, as the legal system often encourages an adversarial approach, even when all parties have the same goal in mind. Porro’s goal is to completely represent her clients while also assisting in mitigating possible disagreements or conflicts that may arise. As a licensed title insurance agent, Porro has successfully handled a wide assortment of issues over the years.

“I am passionate about supporting my clients, and I am very invested in the success of their endeavors,” Porro said. “Addressing important legal needs, such as buying and selling a new home, is worth conscious focus and attention. I’ve designed my practice to address my clients’ unique concerns so that their legal needs are addressed, and they experience peace of mind as well.”

This approach comes as a refreshing surprise to many new clients, as it is not typical. Porro utilizes her training as a life coach to support clients in navigating the stressful times of transition, such as buying or selling a home, through mindfulness to move from and into a physical space that is clear and supportive.

“Having an attorney provides assurance that your specific interests are protected; that you’re not being overcharged or held responsible for something beyond your contractual obligation,” Porro said. “This is especially important as a buyer so that title is reviewed and confirmed clear with no errors in closing documents. Life coaching skills help in navigating the time of transition, for both sellers and buyers. Our homes often create a feeling of security. Moving is stressful on a deeper level than is often acknowledged.”

Aside from her practice in Wellington, Porro is also an integral part of the recently opened Triad Wellness Center in Jupiter. At Triad, her main objective is to aid clients in discovering true wellness through a holistic approach to wellness, which involves self-inquiry into all areas of her clients’ lives, including one’s physical body, physical surroundings, social life/relationships, career/self-expression, spirituality, finances, rest/relaxation, and, in her opinion, the most important and often overlooked component, fun.

“Professionally, I am a life coach, lawyer and shaman,” Porro said. “My goal in each role that I play is to support individuals in finding and living their own truth. By doing so, one can experience wellness, living life as the blessing that it is. Each one of us is unique. It’s easy to lose sight of what is essential, caught in the bustle of the day-to-day. It takes time and attention to become consciously aware of what is most important. It requires clearing away untruths that we’ve adopted along the way and deeply listening. By slowing down, we can begin to learn and develop our own language, and experience the support that I believe is there for every one of us. Willingness to look at all aspects of our lives can open doors to receiving the support that we need.”

In order to make a change toward wellness, Porro feels that people need awareness, an action plan, accountability and, in some cases, professional help. Through her life experiences, Porro believes that true wellness is holistic, since when one part of life is out of balance, the whole is affected. Her purpose is to help her fellow neighbors find that security within their lives.

To learn more about Hilda Porro’s law practice, visit www.hildaporrolaw.com.

GPL Tournament Returns This Month for 10th Anniversary EventOn and off the field, the International Gay Polo Tournament, hosted by the Gay Polo League in Wellington, keeps getting bigger and better, and the upcoming 10th anniversary celebration is maintaining that tradition.GPL founder Chip McKenney had a vision, and it has given way to something unique.

This year’s four-day extravaganza is highlighted by the return of the festive “GPL Polotini Presents Wigstock!,” an over-the-top pre-party for a purpose on Friday, April 5 at the members-only Mallet Grill at International Polo Club Palm Beach, followed by tournament games featuring the coveted Senator’s Cup and the famed tailgate competition on Saturday, April 6 at IPC’s Isla Carroll field.

“From the beginning, I dreamed that the GPL’s International Gay Polo Tournament would evolve into a destination event for LGBTQ polo players,” said McKenney, who has played every year since the event’s inception. “I believed the concept was unique and would be embraced by the LGBTQ community as something different and special. That said, I never dreamed the event would attract the attention and support of people outside the LGBTQ communities. Nor did I envision that the non-polo, social aspects of the event would evolve into what they are today.”

Several professional polo players, including Joey Casey, Charlie Muldoon, Sugar Erskine and Tiffany Busch, donate their time and skills, quarterbacking the teams.

“Through their involvement, these professional players give the GPL tournament a legitimacy of sport, and their participation helps to elevate awareness of the GPL tournament to the global polo community,” McKenney said.

Casey, who owns the Palm City Polo Club in Boynton Beach, was instrumental in helping McKenney get the event going.

“I read about the GPL and reached out to Chip 10 years ago and brought them to Florida,” said Casey, a fourth-generation polo player.

In that article, McKenney expressed a goal to one day bring the GPL to Wellington because it is the epicenter of polo in North America.

“Joey sent me an e-mail expressing his support and willingness to help make it possible for GPL to come to Florida,” McKenney said. “He offered to organize pros and ponies for our group. Since our initial contact, Joey and his team have been instrumental in the shaping and growth of the league. His club embraced GPL members without hesitation, and we are grateful for his involvement.”

Former 6-goaler Muldoon helped Casey run a polo clinic for GPL players, and that’s where he met McKenney.

“I loved the idea of promoting how inclusive our sport is,” said Muldoon, another multi-generational polo player. “It has been an honor and pleasure to be a part of it. It’s also crazy fun.”

Muldoon said the level of polo has progressed because the original group has improved so much due to Casey’s coaching, as well as the addition of so many new international GPL players.

McKenney began playing polo in 2006 after retiring from show jumping. Schedule permitting, he practices and plays polo three times a week at the Palm City Polo Club. When he began, he only played arena polo. Now he primarily plays on the grass in 6-goal tournaments and an occasional 10-goal tournament.

“My understanding of polo is probably the area I have improved the most,” McKenney said. “Understanding the strategy, the rules and how to contribute as a team member has opened up the game for me. When I first began, I simply ran to the ball and tried to hit it, often failing. Once I understood the offense and defense sides of the game, I enjoyed the sport much more.”

While the action on the field has improved, it is the colorful sideline activities that provides the flair of the event.

“The level of enthusiasm and support non-polo players, gay and straight, demonstrate for the event is remarkable,” McKenney said. “Everyone who has attended our event is thrilled by the tailgate competition, which has become a huge part of the event’s culture, and significantly contributes to the overall experience. Tailgates encourage interaction between all the people who come to the tournament, so our event is inclusive and engaging in ways other events are not.”

Every year brings a new layer of quality to the event, McKenney added, who explained that the biggest difference between the first year and now is the level of play.

“Our first year, most of us were new to the sport of polo, so the matches were a bit slower and less competitive,” McKenney said. “Now, many of our players are solid in their polo skills, which has significantly resulted in more advanced polo matches. To non-polo players, probably the biggest difference is the growth in the number of attendees. The first year, we had approximately 900 people come cheer us on. This year, we anticipate close to 5,000 people who will share the day with us.”

Every year, the GPL chooses a charity partner. This year, the not-for-profit partner is Sage, the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to serving and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors.

“It is a great feeling to be able to use our event to raise awareness and much-needed funds for an organization that provides services to a segment of our community that is often overlooked, underserved and relatively invisible,” McKenney said.

From the beginning, the tournament was a team effort, with dozens of volunteers and committees organizing the biggest party of the polo season.

“I had the good fortune to align with great people who shared my vision of creating and producing a high-end sporting event within the LGBTQ space,” McKenney said. “Over the past 10 years, so many people have contributed to turning my dream into a reality, and I am well aware that the current success of the GPL tournament is a shared success and the result of a shared vision.”

Tickets for the 10th annual International Gay Polo Tournament and its festivities are currently on sale at www.gaypolo.com/tickets.

Growing List of Sponsors on Board To Support International Gay Polo Tournament

When the 10th annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by RSM US, returns to Wellington from April 4 through April 7, it will bring with it a growing list of sponsors helping to make the event a success.

Land Rover Palm Beach continues its longstanding commitment to the community as the title sponsor of the event for the third year.

“Participating in the annual International Gay Polo Tournament gave us a chance to promote our support for equality actively,” said Matt Adkins, general manager of Land Rover Palm Beach. “We’ve enjoyed working with [Gay Polo League founder] Chip McKenney in the past, and when he approached us about getting involved in the GPL tournament, something we knew was significant to him, we felt honored to take part.”

Whether it’s supporting local high school athletics, the area Boy Scouts council, or the dealership’s strong ties with Furry Friends Adoption Clinic and the Ranch Humane Society of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta, Land Rover Palm Beach enjoys supporting the community.

“The annual GPL tournament is unlike any other event we participate in throughout the year,” Adkins said. “It’s a chance to use our creativity as a company to celebrate diversity in an inclusive and fun way. GPL quickly became our favorite — and most talked about — community event of the year, and it’s one we look forward to every spring. Land Rover has always been a fantastic supporter of polo globally, and this was another way to support the sport locally in Wellington.”

No stranger to equestrian events, Land Rover is a longtime supporter of equestrian sports, with decades of show jumping and event sponsorships. Land Rover Palm Beach’s 2019 status will further solidify its pre-eminence in the equestrian sphere. As an elegant luxury brand, Land Rover Palm Beach aligns perfectly with the vision of the Gay Polo League’s flagship tournament, and the capabilities of Land Rover’s vehicles equally match the rigors of equestrian sport.

GPL is also thrilled to welcome back RSM US LLP — a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market — as the event’s presenting sponsor.

“At RSM, we demonstrate our core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence and stewardship every day through our interactions with one another, with our clients, and with our communities,” said RSM’s Kerensa Butler, partner, southeast private equity leader and national pride employee network group leader. “We’re honored to be a part of the Gay Polo League.”

RSM’s goal is to deliver the power of being understood to clients, colleagues and communities. Initially introduced to GPL through a major wealth management client, RSM’s support has grown tremendously over the years, as has the firm’s commitment to the LGBT community.

“Our decision to sponsor GPL started out of support for an organization that one of our clients was passionate about,” said Mike Lin, a manager with RSM Wealth Management. “Over time, our relationship with GPL grew as we learned more about its charitable mission and the potential to align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Meanwhile, Cherry Knoll Farm returns as the tournament’s VIP tent sponsor. Located at midfield, VIP guests will experience excellence from the ground up, feel the power of the ponies as they race toward the goal posts and be front and center for all the action. The royal treatment includes tableside service throughout the day with a full open bar and a gourmet lunch buffet catered by the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Cherry Knoll Farm, located in West Grove, Pa., operates on the philosophy of “quality over quantity.” This is true for its great success throughout the Angus industry, as well as high-performance equestrian sports, such as show jumping, dressage and para-dressage. Cherry Knoll Farm owns some of the most esteemed high-performance Grand Prix dressage horses and show jumpers in the industry today.

“Our sponsors represent organizations that proactively support and advance equality and diversity. It is important that we recognize the importance of our LGBTQ allies — the people, brands and companies who enthusiastically embrace and support our community, namely our wonderful sponsors,” McKenney said. “To these people and companies, we extend a heartfelt thanks. We are proud and grateful to be associated with you.”

Other sponsors include Black Hound Sports, Celebrity Cruises, Cedar Crest Stables, Chervo, Consign & Design, David Lerner Associates, Discover the Palm Beaches, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, GJ Racing, Goshen Hill/Caroline Moran, OutClique Magazine, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Patricia Quick, RBC Wealth Management, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Sperry Tents Miami, Stefano Laviano, the Tackeria and Wölffer Estate Vineyard.

Tickets for the 10th annual International Gay Polo Tournament and its festivities are currently on sale at www.gaypolo.com/tickets. The Gay Polo League is still offering sponsorship opportunities at different levels for the tournament. For more information, contact Chip McKenney at chip@gaypolo.com.