VOL. 26 NO. 5
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MAY 2026
JARC Florida Raises Over $1 Million At 40th Annual Gala Dinner Milestone Event Draws Record 425 Attendees In Support Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Including Autism JARC Florida, a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization that provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, celebrated a major milestone at its 40th Annual Gala on March 8, at Boca West Country Club. The sold-out event raised an impressive $1,014,583 and welcomed a record-breaking 425 attendees – the most since pre-pandemic. The evening honored four decades of JARC Florida’s mission to help extraordinary people lead ordinary, meaningful lives, while generating critical support for its lifechanging programs and services. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of longtime volunteer Dr. Barbara Lurie, who was named Volunteer of the Year. In tribute to her lasting impact, the aware was official rename the “Dr. Barbara Lurie Volunteer of the Year Award.”
Samantha Gefen, Linda and Ivan Gefen, Josh Gefen
Ron Slevin and Ellen Salsburg, Allison and Jake Slevin
The 2026 Gala was chaired by Maggie and Robert Eigen, whose leadership helped drive the event’s success.“This extraordinary evening reflects the strength, compassion, and commitment of the JARC Florida community,” said Jeffrey Zirulnick, Chief Executive
Officer of JARC Florida. “Reaching this milestone anniversary and surpassing $1 million raised is not only a celebration of the past 40 years, but a powerful investment JARC Florida Raises Over $1 Million on page 2
Junior League Of Boca Raton Members Made Difference In The Community During Annual Week Of Impact Members of the Junior League of Boca Raton made an extra difference in the community during the organization’s Ninth Annual Week of Impact which took place March 9 to 14. Members donated 74 extra hours of volunteer work. During the Week of Impact, Junior League of Boca Raton members packed over 14,000 period supplies for underserved girls, made 250 sandwiches for the Farm Workers Council’s after school and spring break programs, and read to 175 kids in eight classrooms as part of the Junior League Raising Readers program.
In addition, during the Week of Impact, Junior League of Boca Raton members volunteered in the HAB Center’s nursery, organized donated clothing and supplies and delivered them to the Child Rescue Coalition and packed boxes of food for underserved kids to take home in order to have food for the weekend at Boca Helping Hands. “Thanks to our members who went above and beyond the normal number of hours we donate each week to the community,” said Victoria Matthews, president of
the Junior League of Boca Raton. “League members volunteer regularly, but during the Week of Impact, they give even more time to make an even bigger difference.” To learn more about the JLBR or to join, please contact the JLBR office at (561) 620-2553 or visit www. JLBR.org.Connect on Facebook or Instagram.
FAU Medical College’s 6th Annual White Coats-4-Care Event To Celebrate Education, Innovation And Legacy Milestones, medicine, and hometown impact will take center stage at the 16th Annual White Coats-4-Care reception, set for Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Club at Boca Pointe in Boca Raton. The evening will bring together healthcare, business, university and civic leaders to welcome, dress, equip, and support the incoming class of 80 future physicians while celebrating visionary philanthropy advancing the future of Palm Beach County’s only medical school–the
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine (CoM). The annual campaign increases scholarship support, strengthens medical education, fuels research and expands community health initiatives. This year’s theme captures the spirit of donor impact and regional pride: “Invest. Innovate. Champion. Together, We Can Shape the Future of Healthcare.” By investing in students and innovation today, each donor becomes a champion of progress, making a lasting imprint on the community they call home. From Vision to Vitality: Celebrating a Legacy That Advances Medicine At the heart of this year’s celebration—as she marks her 100th birthday—is Ms. June Gelb, a steadfast FAU on page 5
Chair of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Board Michael Dennis, M.D.; 2026 White Coats-4Care Honorary Chair Mark Swillinger; Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Dean and Chief of Health Affairs Lewis S. Nelson, M.D.; 2026 White Coats-4-Care Co-Chair Maurice D. Plough, Jr.