Another “Matching” Donor Steps Forward in support of Boca Helping Hands

Another “Matching” Donor Steps Forward

Arthur Remillard and the Remillard Family Foundation

To anyone familiar with Boca Helping Hands, the name Arthur Remillard is synonymous with philanthropy, commitment and bold vision. When Boca Helping Hands was trying to consolidate operations into one building, an effort made critical by the catastrophic fire in August of 2009, Arthur Remillard stepped forward and offered the leading gift for the capital campaign. Since his first involvement with Boca Helping Hands, Mr. Remillard has been among our most consistent supporters. Each year, he assists BHH and its various events with his financial support as well as his presence, guidance and advice. Making frequent and unannounced visits, Mr. Remillard quietly and proudly observes the bee hive of activity taking place in the building that bears his name.

Throughout 2012, Arthur has continued his exemplary level of support for Boca Helping Hands. And now, he has made another bold commitment. We are all aware that an anonymous donor has challenged our stakeholders, by offering to match every unrestricted contribution received between November 1st and December 31st, up to a total of $175,000. Inspired by that anonymous donor, Arthur Remillard and the Remillard Family Foundation have committed an additional $75,000 to the matching fund, thus raising the total eligible to be matched to $250,000! Let me repeat, our anonymous donor ($175,000), and Arthur Remillard and the Remillard Family Foundation ($75,000) are committed to matching every unrestricted donation to support operations that are received between November 1st and December 31st, up to a total of $250,000.

On the “memo line” of your check, please write: Annual Matching Campaign. Your unrestricted contribution to support operations is needed today more than ever before. Let’s pause for a moment and talk about those operations:

Each month, BHH distributes over 5,000 pantry bags of perishable and non-perishable groceries to qualified local families.

Each month, BHH serves over 4,500 hot meals

In 2012 over 80 people found gainful employment through the BHH Job Mentor Program

By the end of 2012, nearly $100,000 in financial assistance will be distributed through the BHH Resource Center.

In 2012, BHH received and then distributed well over 1,000,000 pounds of food.

To meet this rising demand, we have concentrated on building our infrastructure. In this past year, we have increased our staff to 8 full time employees and 1 part time employee. We completed, launched and now use a new C.R.M. (Customer Relationship Manager) computer software system to better serve our clients, volunteers, contributors and donors. Our BHH “fleet” doubled in 2012, and is now composed of two refrigerated trucks and two cargo vans. Hence, gasoline, maintenance and insurance demands have increased as well for a warehouse that now receives and processes in excess of 110,000 pounds of food each and every month! And yet, thanks to our amazing volunteers, we continue to have low overhead. Charity Navigator granted Boca Helping Hands a 4-Star rating. Even with the above growth in infrastructure, $0.89 of every dollar contributed to Boca Helping Hands goes directly to program! I don’t know many non-profits who use so much of each contribution for program support.

We are asking our entire BHH family to help us get out the word. Send this e-mail to everyone you know and encourage them to send their check to Boca Helping Hands before December 31st. Every unrestricted gift will be matched up to a total of $250,000. In just 60 days, we can raise 75% of the operating funds needed to sustain our programs throughout 2013. Let us all give generously, and follow the example of Arthur Remillard. His actions have set the pace for Boca Helping Hands. It is our turn to set the pace for 2013.

Please send checks (must be dated no later than 12/31/12) to:

Boca Helping Hands

Attn: Matching Campaign

1500 NW 1st Court

Boca Raton, FL 33432