Two Palm Beach billionaire couples have offered grants for the city of Palm Beach United Way’s relief fund, which has so far raised more than $600,000 to help survivors of savage Hurricane Ian in the South -West Florida.
The latest matching grants were awarded by investment manager Nelson Peltz of Trian Fund Management, joined by his wife, Claudia; and Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac Perlman and his wife, Laura. Each couple donated $50,000.
New donations to the fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, United Way said when announcing the grants.
The Peltzes released a statement through the charity that urged potential donors not to lose sight of the lives upended by the hurricane, which hit near Fort Meyers on September 28 as a category storm. 4 before cutting a path of deadly destruction across the state.
“It’s been a few weeks and it’s easy for some people to forget the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, but relief efforts are still ongoing and there are still thousands of families in difficult situations,” said the press release from the Peltzes. “We are proud to help United Way send much-needed funds to organizations that provide direct assistance to those who need it most.
The Peltz and Perlmutter donations bring to 10 the number of matching grants given since the fund was established the day after the hurricane. These grants totaled $350,000.
Previous donations to Centraide:Palm Beach United Way’s Hurricane Ian Relief Fund Surpasses $500,000, with Two New Matching Grants Announced
Launch of the fund:New Palm Beach United Way’s Hurricane Ian Relief Fund Receives $50,000 Matching Grant
In the middle of last week, the City of Palm Beach United Way distributed $250,000 to organizations providing emergency relief supplies and services in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties, all areas hard hit by the hurricane,” said board chairman Bill Tiefel. He and his wife, Norma, gave one of the first matching grants to the Storm Relief Fund.
In their statement, the Perlmutters said they were inspired by “the superb fundraising efforts” for hurricane relief by the City of Palm Beach United Way. The organization is separate from United Way of Palm Beach County.
“We are honored to help continue these efforts with an additional matching gift,” the Perlmutters’ statement said. “Florida’s Gulf Coast communities haven’t seen a storm like this in decades. They need our support.
Global Empowerment Mission is among the organizations that have benefited from the relief fund. So far, the group has served more than 77,000 people and provided aid valued at more than $2 million, according to founder and chairman Michael Capponi.
With three distribution centers in the affected areas, Global Empowerment Mission has assembled volunteers to help distribute non-perishable food, water, tarpaulins, hygiene items and other emergency supplies. They also helped place 255 families in temporary housing provided by Airbnb, according to Capponi.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the Palm Beach community,” Capponi said in the statement released by United Way. “With the level of destruction on Florida’s West Coast and the continued partnership with United Way, we will have a huge impact on the recovery in the short and long term.”
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At least three other groups on the ground working in southwest Florida have received funding from United Way – Americares, Project HOPE and World Central Kitchen.
The remaining matching grants, all of which met their fundraising goals, were provided by donors with strong ties to Palm Beach. They included the Cathleen McFarlane Foundation ($100,000); Barbara and Richard Rothschild ($25,000); Susan and Dom Telesco ($50,000); the Tiefels ($25,000); Irwin and Ginny Edlavitch ($25,000); Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore through the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation ($25,000), Sandy and George Garfunkel ($25,000) and Elizabeth and Jerome Levy ($25,000).
More than 100 people died in Florida during the hurricane, which made landfall as a brutal Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 150 mph, torrential rains and massive storm surge. The storm also hit Cuba before hitting Florida. After leaving the state in the Atlantic Ocean, it headed north and hit the coast of South Carolina.
A story of survival: A Florida grandmother helps her husband escape during Hurricane Ian. “The water is up to daddy’s chin.”
From the archive: City of Palm Beach United Way panel begins allocating Dorian recovery funds
People can donate to the Town of Palm Beach United Way Hurricane Ian Recovery Fund by visiting PalmBeachUnitedWay.orgby calling 561-655-1919 or mailing a check – payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with “Hurricane Ian” written in the memo portion – to 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
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Darrell Hofheinz is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network of Florida who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly “Beyond the Hedges” column. It welcomes advice on real estate news on the island. Email [email protected], call (561) 820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
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