Council Update: CSC Hosts First-Ever Holiday Toy Pop-Up Event

On Dec. 14, CSC hosted its first-ever Holiday Toy Pop-Up event for children, and their families, from the Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope, Inc. and The Children’s Healing Institute’s TEACUP Preemie Program. Toys and baby items were donated by staff and clients of Ameriprise Financial Services in Lake Worth and the Sounders Care Foundation of the Valencia Sound development in Boynton Beach. CSC volunteers transformed the first floor of the building into a festive toy store. During the event, more than 100 families browsed the donated toys and items, and “shopped” for ones their children would love. They then had the opportunity to bring the toys and baby items to another room, where CSC volunteers gift-wrapped the presents. Parents were extremely grateful for the variety of age-appropriate toys.

In Other Business

Vince Goodman: The CSC community paused at its January Board Meeting to remember Vince Goodman, a beloved member of the council. Mr. Goodman passed away in early January at the age of 79. He was a dedicated member of CSC’s council for 20 years and we were blessed to have him. Mr. Goodman was a retired educator who had served in the U.S. military during Vietnam. He held degrees from FAMU and Howard University, and a Master’s degree from Nova University. All that sounds very formal. But as a member of the council, and with CSC staff, Mr. Goodman was anything but formal. Month after month, after each presentation to the council, he invariably asked that staff share a “feel good” story. He wanted to hear the voices and see the faces of the children and families we serve every day. Because above all, Mr. Goodman cared deeply about people and was a true community servant. Today, we send our condolences to his family and friends. His intelligence, charm, wit and warmth will be greatly missed. His was, and is, a beautiful soul who lived up to his name. He was indeed a Good Man. 

Early Literacy: The Council approved increasing funding to the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County in an amount not exceed $234,266 for early literacy book distribution. Funding includes culturally and age-appropriate books distributed through CSC’s Healthy Beginnings System of Care, as well as 46,000 books distributed to 63 pediatric medical providers.  

Glades Book Distribution: For the eighth consecutive year, CSC provided 3,000 books to children in Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay at the annual League of Cities holiday event. This year’s celebration was held Dec. 13 at the Pahokee Marina. Per tradition, CSC Communications Staff took photos of all three cities’ mayors holding books, as well as with CSC council member and county commissioner Sara Baxter and Richard Radcliffe of the League of Cities.

Lifeguard Initiative: In 2023, Palm Beach County – and the rest of the country – faced a shortage of lifeguards and water safety instructors. CSC and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department realized that one of the barriers locally to becoming a lifeguard or water safety instructor was certification costs, which are sometimes as high as $400. Together, CSC and PBC Parks & Recreation came up with a plan to cover those costs so teens and young adults could become lifeguards and water safety instructors for free. To date, 78 lifeguards and 31 water safety instructors have been certified through the initiative. On Jan. 14, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement that will continue the partnership with CSC through September 2026.