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August, 2012
| Vol 1, Issue 4 |
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| Greetings! |
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Ellyn Okrent,
FFCDC's New CEO
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The end of August means the school bell has rung and we are ready for an exciting new year! Summer ended with the annual graduation ceremony where 120 ambitious and full of promise youngsters entered kindergarten ready to succeed. The stage has been set for their future achievements that may not have been possible without the opportunities provided by our entire community and YOU.
FFCDC is more than a child care center. In fact, we make an overwhelming impact on our society. More than 45,000 children have been served during the past 41 years with approximately 18,000 parents empowered to be self-sustaining, employed and making a positive contribution in our community. FFCDC is a vital change agent helping children and families step out of the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life in Southern Palm Beach County. Our outcomes are untouchable!
Our continued success relies on the unwavering support of our community! A committed and dedicated Board of Directors, tireless volunteers, loyal donors, devoted staff and generous funders continue to make our mission a reality. As we embark into this new school year, we invite all of you to remain active in making our world a better place. Each BIG HEART helps a little one.
Thank you for your perseverance and devotion -
Ellyn Okrent
Chief Executive Officer
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Summer Camp Wrap-Up
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East Center Winners of End of Summer Dance-Off Contest
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Summertime was HOT,HOT, HOT this year! FFCDC's school age camps are safe and welcoming places for close to 300 children to make memories and friendships for a lifetime.
There was never an idle moment each day, but first the campers had to find their group. Imagine if the recent Olympics had teams named "Purple Rain, Blue Dragons, Green Tigers, Blue Smurfs, and Red Fireballs" instead of countries? Bet no one would forget them! Our school age campers created this rainbow of colorful names to personalized and more importantly, "stylize" their groups.
FFCDC's camps are 10 fun-filled weeks of action packed recreational activities where more than 300 school-aged children are given the opportunity to participate in organized sports, games and educational field trips.
  Every other week the 2 sites come together for a little friendly competition where each group provides a performance based on themes that have been selected before-hand. Winners of these competitions are selected by a team of " non-partisan," randomly selected judges.  | |
Congratulations West Campus - 1st Place video AT&T y-BALE Anti-Bullying project (click image to view)
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| Introducing the Class of 2012 |
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Makayla Gray, age 5 - Lion King Class
(East Campus)
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Isaiah Telsaint, age 5 - Dolphin Class (West Campus)
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Say it isn't so. Is it really that time again? This year's graduation theme was"Moving on and Taking our Places in the World." Such a fitting theme for the graduates as we have no doubt they will be moving on to great things. We've done our best to prepare them for the next stage in their schooling and they've worked hard all year to meet the challenges presented to them.
Many of our graduates started with Florence Fuller when they were infants or toddlers, moving on from class to class, gaining a little something from each one they attended. They have spent the year learning new things, perfecting the way they write their name, learning to read and solve math problems and discovering new places. We have loved, laughed, learned, played, and enriched our lives together this year and it is with pride and reluctance we return them to their parents. The FFCDC family will always be interested in the children that graced the classrooms of Florence Fuller; wherever they go, whatever they do, and whomever they become.
We wish them the greatest success as they move on to take their places in the world.
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Volunteers - Kindness in Action!
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Florence Fuller Child Development Centers would not be here today without the efforts of many caring volunteers giving countless hours of service!
 
Boca Raton Junior League fun! Petula Pezaris in Mickey Mouse Class
If you would like to volunteer with children as a group or are looking for an individual role, we have the place for you! Do you love working with children, have a special talent you would like to share or even have some spare time on your hands? Perhaps you can play an instrument, do a special kind of craft, or maybe you just love reading stories to an appreciative audience. The possibilities are endless.
In appreciation for the gift of your time, talents and excise, the volunteers who assist at FFCDC have the pleasure of seeing all the fun, growing and learning that goes on firsthand. Whether spending time reading to a child or helping with homework, our volunteers make a difference as they help prepare children for school successes
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Field Day sponsored by Marshall's SE Regional Office - East Campus
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Volunteer opportunities are also available helping with special events to benefit all children at the East or West Campuses and to assist in our thrift store.
 Team AVM, LP visits the West Campus | | |
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Burke Bloom reads to the Pluto Class
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We welcome your interests, skills, talents and time. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Debbie Wenger at 561-391-7274 ext. 127 or dwenger@ffcdc.org
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Fundraising & Events News
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Inaugural Legends of Baseball Game
 If you missed the news of FFCDC's newest event, Legends of Baseball, click here for details .
Thank you to our sponsors: Hall of Fame Sponsor:Marie & Frank Occhigrossi, Hotel Sponsor: Wyndham - Boca Raton, VIP Reception Sponsor: English Tap & Beer Garden, Print Sponsor: Toshiba Business Solutions
***********Donor Spotlight***********
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Delores Hess
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Stepp'n Up Shoes for Needy Kidswas founded in 1990 when a young Eric Perlyn (now an adult) decided he wanted to donate a portion of the money he had received from his Bar Mitzvah to a worthy cause or charity. Eric's parents, Don and Marilyn, encouraged their three children to get involved in the community by instilling the values of charitable efforts and helping those less fortunate.
While interning at Wells Fargo, Eric was able to involve everyone in his efforts to provide the kids at Florence Fuller Child Development Centers shoes. Delores Hess, right, a Wells Fargo employee and former co-worker of Eric Perlyn, has kept the project going each year.
This year, each graduate received a gift card to Payless Shoes to shop for shoes for school. Thank you to wonderful people like the entire Perlyn family and Wells Fargo employees - especially, the endless devotion of Delores Hess for starting the kids out on the right foot!
 
We would like to thank all of our recent donors for support of programs and families
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| How You Can Help | 
Put a Smile on a Child's Face Today!
- Become a volunteer
- Become a tutor
- Help with an event
- Help in our administrative offices
- Help in our thrift store
- Sponsor an event
- Sponsor a child (scholarship)
- Provide needed school supplies
- Adopt a class
- Become an Ambassador
For more information contact Pam Calzadilla, 561- 391-7274, ext., 111
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FFCDC Thrift Store Summer Makeover
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Before
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After
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On July 16, FFCDC's Thrift Store received an extra special make-over. Neiman Marcus' Boca Raton employees and a host of dedicated volunteers, including our CEO and many staff members,started bright and early. We are very happy with the change and we remind you that our doors are always open for donations.
Our regular customers are fascinated with our remodeling and with the new merchandise that we get every day. They enjoy our weekly sales and specials too. We receive a lot of complements from our regular customers and the fresh new look of the store is bringing new faces to the store daily.
Business is amazing and we are still working really hard to support our children. Thank you all again and please come in to see all the hard work and dedication that we all put into the store.
Store Hours:Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 11am - 4pm.
Free Furniture Pick-up Service: Call 561-391-9379.  | |
FFCDC's Board Member & Neiman Marcus' GM, Patty Stoltis, shares the Give , Share, Care Program. click on image above to view
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