On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office made an $80,000 donation to aid in the work of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. The money was raised through personal donations made by members of the PBSO, including deputies, officers and employees.
Accepting the gift was Sophia Eccleston, the Homeless Coalition’s past president, presented by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Deputy Jim Mackey, who spearheaded the fundraising effort for his team. Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner also attended the presentation.
“Every day I go out to see who needs help and help them,” Mackey said. “That’s why I became an officer. Policing is all about helping people.”
Deputy Adrian Maldonado noted that on his beat, “I talk to the homeless, see where they can go, how to help them.”
He added that sometimes this involves using his personal resources to get people back on their feet or into housing. “This is what it means to serve,” he said.
Eccleston thanked the PBSO for the timely donation. “Coming as it does just before our 2020 Mayor’s Ball, one of our major fundraising events for the year, this timely, generous donation is a welcome one to kickstart the ball’s fundraising effort,” she said. “We could not be more thankful to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and their deputies for this act of service.”
The Mayor’s Ball will be held virtually this year, on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. The exclusive online travel auction began Oct. 1. Visit www.homelesscoalitionpbc.org to register.
The Homeless Coalition was formed in 1986 and incorporated in 1989. It is a not-for-profit corporation that serves as a catalyst for community collaboration to prevent and end homelessness in the community.
