Coretta Scott King, wife of legendary Martin Luther King Jr., once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
I couldn’t agree more. When a community practices empathy, sympathy and kindness, it is strengthened and lifted as a whole. It’s one of the things I love most about living in Boca Raton — a community with a rich history of philanthropy — and one of the reasons this issue, our November Giving Issue, is one of my absolute favorites.
Leading the way, our celebrity profile story “Still The Boss” (page 66) celebrates the extraordinary achievements of one of America’s most beloved celebrities, Tony Danza. From his days as Tony Micelli in “Who’s The Boss?” to his current stardom as a singer (be sure to catch his upcoming performance at the Delray Beach Playhouse on April 15, 2025), Danza is a talented powerhouse guided by kindness.
And speaking of kindness, you know that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you do something nice for someone else? Well, it turns out the effects are far-reaching. “Kindness Matters” (page 72) explores the psychological and physical effects of thoughtfulness, and how these affect the giver and the receiver.
We shift our focus to some of our budding philanthropists in the inspiring feature “Kids That Care” (page 78), highlighting some of the youngest givers with the biggest hearts. It’s beautiful to see such passion and purpose in individuals just starting out in life. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to follow them on their journey of giving.
Perhaps you’ve been thinking about how to give back for a while or you may be inspired by the children featured in the previous story. Either way, “The Gift Of Giving” (page 84) is the perfect starting point. And you don’t need a hefty bank account to make a difference — there are countless ways to take an active role in helping the community. We hope this story will serve as a useful guide.
I began by expressing my love for Boca Raton and its generous spirit. One look at our Charity Galas & Luncheons Listing (page 140) and it’s clear how strongly the power of community and philanthropy define us.
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. May you be surrounded by loved ones and enjoy a delicious feast on this very special day.
All the best,
Linda L. Behmoiras
linda@bocaratonobserver.com