Column: Crusader for kids lauded, a volunteer turns crafty, and pols grovel. 'Tis season!
Next time you see Kathy Leone, give her a great big atta-girl.
She was one of three people honored by the Center for Child Counseling at its Gratitude Gathering 2023, which took place Nov. 30 at the Mollie Wilmot Center.
The event honored individuals who are making a profound impact on the lives of children through their passion and tireless dedication to awareness, advocacy and action to repair the damage of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma on children.
Leone received the Jane Robinson Child Advocacy Award, named after the founder of Center for Child Counseling, who dedicated her professional career to promoting infant and early childhood mental health.
The award recognizes a passionate advocate who works to promote child resilience, safety, and mental health. Well, that's Kathy to a T. For decades, she has been a tireless advocate for kids in the foster care system.
“Through her work with the Center, other nonprofits, and business leaders in Palm Beach County, Kathy is making a meaningful difference for the most vulnerable children in our community,” said Renée Layman, CEO of Center for Child Counseling.
Also honored were Murray Levin, who received the Child Protector Award, and Judge Kathleen Kroll, who was honored with The Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award.
More: Column: Yo, Philadelphia! Thanks for turning out for my big day. Now put your clothes on.
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Spooning … If the Palm Beach charity scene was a baseball game, Andrea Stark would be the utility woman.
Not only does she shoulder all the responsibilities of a chairwoman or a committee member whenever she's asked, she also has a little side hustle going for her animal charities: Spoons.
Yep, spoons.
"I made these spoons to sell at On Blonde Pet Spa," she wrote. "Twenty dollars for a spoon buys dog food for the shelters like Palm Beach Animal Care and Control and Tri-County. Two spoons sold is a bag of food we donate."
Andrea designed the spoons and paid for them ... all 500 of 'em.
She's hoping to sell them at other Palm Beach stores.
Because, you know, they make for a crowded flatware drawer.
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Rolling out the dough … Reports are that moneybags Ken Griffin, Charles Schwab, and Paul Tudor Jones hosted a political fundraiser Thursday for David McCormick, the GOP Senate hopeful from Pennsylvania.
Guests to the event at Tudor Jones' home, who shelled out anywhere from $3,300 to $24,500 to attend ― no domestic champagne at that price point, no sir-ee ― reportedly included Charlie Johnson and Wilbur Ross.
Also taking a ride on the Green Line was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who worked the $2,500-per-person crowd at a reception hosted by Melinda Rockwell and Kim and Greg Dryer at the Dryers' home.
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Heard … That Palm Beach resident Kent Anderson, co-founder of Project Paradise and the Project Paradise Film Fund, will be honored by the National Wildlife Refuge Association at its Feb. 7 event at the home of Mayor Danielle Moore. He will receive the 2024 Next Generation Environmental Hero Award ... that the Everglades Foundation's big-name entertainment at next month's ForEverglades event will be Darius Rucker. The event also will feature a special tribute to its longtime board member, the late Jimmy Buffett.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: When pols come a-calling, billionaires and their money are soon parted
