
The Caridad Center in West Boynton is seeing as many as 300 more patients every month who can’t afford health care and need to visit the free clinic, said Anna Marie King, director of development for the center.
“These are not just migrant workers anymore but all low-income people,” she said.
King said the biggest fundraiser for the center is coming up and a large turnout is crucial for the center’s funding.
Dick and Sally Robinson have been named honorary co-chairpersons of the 2008 “Wrap Up Your Holiday Wishes” gala benefiting the Caridad Center, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.
“They do so much for the center and the local community, so we wanted bring attention to them,” King said of the Robinsons.
The event will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., at 7 p.m. Nov. 15.
This year’s honoree is Caridad board member and long-time supporter Roy Christie.
Christie will be presented with the Constance Berry Award in appreciation for his many years of volunteer assistance and dedication to the mission of the Caridad Center.
In the 1990s when Caridad Center was providing medical and dental services in a doublewide trailer, Christie became part of a team dedicated to the task of opening a permanent facility.
Contributing many hours of his time and his professional expertise, Christie assisted in closing on the new site, worked on the plan and building design and was on site day after day to see that the building was finished as planned.
Caridad co-founder and award namesake Connie Berry said it is only fitting that Christie receive this award as a small token of the high esteem in which he is held at the center.
The annual Caridad fall event will also have the appearance of performance artist Michael Israel. Israel, who has been featured in publications, on television and in corporate ad campaigns, will present his “Art in Concert.”
The evening opens with a silent auction and reception followed by a gourmet dinner and Israel’s performance. His paintings will be sold to the top bidders.
The gala concludes with dancing to the music of “Memory Lane.”
Barbara Vilaseca, executive director of Caridad, said 87 cents of each dollar raised goes directly to patients.
More than 5,000 individuals have come to Caridad for more than 22,000 patient visits in the past fiscal year.
Tickets are $250 a person.
For tickets, call Esther Paine at 561-737-6336.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.
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