Volunteer Spreading Joy to Many at Boca Helping Hands
Arthur (Art) Polacheck, a 96-year-old resident of Boca Raton, has volunteered regularly for the past 15 years at Boca Helping Hands, packaging cupcakes, making sandwiches, and filling pantry bags with groceries. He has also recruited his friends at the Rotary Club of Boca Raton to volunteer at the organization by helping distribute groceries to underserved families each month.
Polacheck, who has been a classic car enthusiast since the 1940’s, previously owned a classic car museum in Fort Lauderdale. To honor his many years of volunteerism, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton held a classic car show in January featuring 75 vehicles to benefit Boca Helping Hands, raising over $10,000.
“People don’t realize that there are so many people in need right here in the Boca Raton area,” said Polacheck. “Boca Helping Hands steps in to help in so many ways – from feeding the hungry, to job training, to helping a family financially who had their electricity turned off. I’m so proud to volunteer here, and it’s equally as rewarding to me to contribute funds toward their job training program,” he said. “It’s incredible to be able to teach people a new skill they can form a career around.”
Polacheck is originally from the Chicago suburbs, and after serving in World War II he moved to South Florida and graduated from the University of Miami through the GI Bill. He returned to Chicago for several years to be closer to family, but in 1980 moved back to South Florida and launched a highly successful medical supplies business in Deerfield Beach, serving more than 12,000 customers.
Now fully retired, Polacheck spends his time serving others.
At Boca Helping Hands, Polacheck says he does, “…whatever they ask me to do. It gives me great pleasure to volunteer, and I come home with a good feeling that I’ve really had a purpose and done something that someone else would enjoy.”
About Boca Helping Hands
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical, and financial assistance to help individuals and families improve their quality of life and build financial stability. Through its various programs, BHH assists nearly 35,000 people annually.
Boca Helping Hands is a partner agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way. Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County by focusing on programs and priorities that promote education, health, and financial stability.
Boca Helping Hands holds accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and has been a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity for 17 consecutive years. Boca Helping Hands is located at 1500 NW 1st Court, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, please visit BocaHelpingHands.org.