Boca Helping Hands Celebrated its 27th Anniversary with “Founders Day” Event
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) commemorated its 27thanniversary with a “Founders Day” celebration. The BHH Heart & Spirit Society hosted the 2025 Founders Day, which honored Peggy Jones and Patti Damron. The annual event brings current and former board members, staff, and Heart & Spirit Society members together to volunteer in a day of service. Attendees help cook hot meals, distribute pantry bags, and sort groceries for families in our community.
Peggy Jones and Patti Damron were instrumental in the formative years of Boca Helping Hands. They were part of the visionary board that transformed a tiny soup kitchen distributing 10,000 pounds of food a year to the 5.2 million pounds of food the organization distributed in 2024. Peggy Jones helped to transform lives by growing the job training and mentoring programs. When community needs increased, Pattie Damron saw the need for a society to help promote and support Boca Helping Hands. With her efforts, the Heart & Spirit Society was formed.
Patti Damron was honored with a day of distribution on her birthday, July 20th. That day, Boca Helping Hands provided enough food for 11,250 people.
Peggy Jones was honored with a scholarship in her name. The recipient is Aron, a single mother determined to better herself and her family. She will be studying Medical Billing & Coding, a career that will pay a substantial wage, allowing her to support her young family.
“We were so pleased to celebrate our 27thbirthday by honoring two key volunteers who helped us in the early days of the organization,” said Andrew D. Hagen, PhD, Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands. “The first volunteers at our original soup kitchen would be amazed to see where we are now, providing not only food but financial assistance and job training to nearly 35,000 of our neighbors every year.”
The community need for Boca Helping Hands’ food programs has been higher than ever this year. “People know that this is a tough time for seniors, families with children and low wage workers,” said Dr. Hagen. Every donation, every can counts.”
According to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, more than 173,000 in the County are food insecure including one in five children.
Through its various programs, Boca Helping Hands assists nearly 35,000 people annually. Distributing food to families with low incomes from five distribution centers, the organization provides each year approximately 112,000 pantry bags, 73,000+ hot meals served and delivered. It also provides job training aimed at bringing individuals out of poverty.
To donate food, please reach out to Bill Harper at bill@bocahelpinghands.org or call 561-417-0913.
For more information, contact Karen Swedenborg, 561-417-0913 (#202).
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.