Pedaling With A Purpose

When Baron Hilliard rolled into my driveway in North Palm Beach, it had been 190 days since he hopped on his bicycle in Plainfield, New Jersey and headed south. The good-natured entrepreneur chuckled when he informed me, "Only 175 more days to go."

Baron is on a year long bicycle journey across America to learn more about African American businesses, history and culture. After reaching Miami, he'll turn back north to Atlanta, then on towards Chicago. He is also promoting a scholarship he initiated named the "Together AsOne Foundation." The premise is simple: If 2000 people pledged $20 per year for 5 years, an African American student's tuition and living expenses could be paid to attend a 4 year college. Baron would like to raise $1,000,000.

The 39 year-old was hardly deterred by his lack of bicycle touring experience. He is using CouchSurfing.org (which is how he connected with me) to arrange nightly accommodations along his route and has experienced the "Kindness of Strangers" on many occasions. Baron told me an ample diet of soul food has kept him energized, so I couldn't resist taking him to McCray's Backyard B-B-Q for a sampling of South Florida's best ribs & chicken.

The next morning Baron was riding along AIA in Palm Beach. He was on his way to Boca Raton to meet his next host.  I hoped his water bottle will always be full and the wind at his back.

For more information about Baron Hilliard, his journey and various missions visit:
journeythrublackamerica.com

Teri Moran: A Journey of Pain, Persistence and Perseverance

Connor Moran founder Teri Moran

Teri Moran and I crossed paths 20 years ago. I was photographing children with cancer, she was helping children and their families cope with cancer. It was a match made in a pediatric oncology ward.

Teri founded the Connor Moran Children's Cancer Foundation, named after her 2 year-old son who had succumbed to brain cancer in 1992. Initially a support organization for children (and their families) facing life threatening illnesses, Teri has continued to expand the mission and scope of Connor Moran. Today she presides over a state-of-the-art wellness center in Tequesta. It includes cardio/weight training, yoga, and pilates classes that help both children and adults focus on health and healing. She has also implemented a new program that provides grief and loss counseling.

"We're always evolving, and this has been a 20 year journey," she recently told me. Working 12 hours a day, seven days a week, the single mother of 3 children (ages 22, 18 and 16) has dedicated her life to helping others. "I have a window on other people's pain, because I've been there, I know how they feel." Looking towards the future, Teri considers herself  a beacon for survival. "Some things change, and some things never change. I want to be there for people who need us."

For additional information about Connor Moran visit: www.ConnorMoran.org
or call: 561-741-1144

A Breed Apart

Sonia Stratemann with Louie at her Loxahatchee Farm

Traveling the country on the "Polo Circuit," Sonia Stratemann never expected that a chance encounter 15 years ago in the California desert would forever change her life, and for thousands of Greyhounds as well.

"I found this Australian/Greyhound mix puppy near Palm Springs... I named him Jackson and he went everywhere with me. In 11 years, there were only 7 days that he wasn't by my side."

After finally settling down in Loxahatchee with husband, Chris, and three children, Sonia wanted to adopt another Greyhound through her connections at The Palm Beach Kennel Club. That soon led to her involvement with the Greyhound Adoption League, Greyhound Pets of America and the Animal Rescue League. She soon realized, however, Greyhounds needed their own group.

Five years later, Elite Greyhound Adoption has become a full-time charitable endeavor for Sonia and her scores of volunteers. She expects to place 200 Greyhounds this year in deserving homes throughout Florida. "There is something very special about a Greyhound." They make perfect family pets as they are sensitive and great companions, are content without a big yard and are mellow and affectionate. "For me, there is something very soulful about them that makes them special."

For additional information about Elite Greyhound adoptions:
http://elitegreyhounds.org/index.html

Shelter From The Storm

Quantum House Executive Director Robi Jurney stands in the foyer of the West Palm Beach facility.

Tucked discreetly in a far off corner on the St. Mary's Medical Center campus is a pleasant looking, low slung building surrounded by tropical, lush landscaping that belies its true purpose. "We provide temporary housing and coordinate support services for families whose children are undergoing treatment for any array of illnesses at St. Mary's Children's Hospital. Most people don't know about us until they need us." Speaking those words is Robi Jurney, who has been at the helm of Quantum House for the past 3 years. The articulate, petite director, who bears a resemblance to actress Heather Locklear, explains the mission of the now 10 year-old facility.

Spearheaded by The Junior League of The Palm Beaches and constructed with a grant from the Quantum Foundation, Quantum House has 10 bedrooms with an additional 2 bedrooms in the hospital for families who wish to be only steps away from their child. A $35 per night donation is suggested, but nobody is turned away because of financial restraints. "People who walk in the door are truly amazed how beautiful it is. For many, it is the nicest place they have ever stayed," Robi extols. One reason the ambiance is so "Palm Beach" is that The Breaker's Hotel helped furnish the rooms. "We're getting another makeover this year courtesy of The Breaker's, " she added.

With the average length of stay 2 weeks, demand for lodging is high and limited, so Quantum House has partnered with hotels in the area for "special rates" for those awaiting space to become available. Robi explained that Quantum House is moving slowly with plans for expansion. "Bigger doesn't always mean better." In addition to the 10 bedrooms there is a large commercial kitchen, laundry room, computer work area, dining and living room areas, and children's playroom.

More than 500 volunteers also play a large roll at Quantum House, as there are only 4 full time staff members. Students from area high schools fulfill their community service hours, as well as garden clubs, football teams, Brownie troops and a host of other organizations wishing to help with a variety of chores. Robi is quick to note one volunteer who deserves special recognition: Ken Wade, the chef/owner of Paddy Mac's in Palm Beach Gardens. "Ken has been our guardian angel from the beginning. He recently stopped by and asked why the back porch/sitting area wasn't screened it. I said to him, Ken, we have a few other priorities. The following day a work crew arrived to screen in the porch, all thanks to Ken. And that's only one example of many contributions he has made."

As the only facility of its kind between Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, Quantum House is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As for Robi Jurney and her staff, part of the magic is seeing families sharing a common experience and forming lifetime friendships. "Every single family is precious to us. The experience of working here puts everything in perspective. If you do what you love, it's not a job."

For additional information about Quantum House: http://www.quantumhouse.org

Helping To Make The World A Better Place

Frank Coniglio admits his worst fault is never being able to say no. "When I was a young boy there were always people in the community helping us... something as simple as a Christmas toy meant so much. Today I'm grateful I can give back to those less fortunate. I can't seem to refuse someone's request for help or assistance."

The successful restaurateur is sitting in E.R. Bradley's Saloon in downtown West Palm Beach, recalling his childhood in an Italian neighborhood in the nation's capital. "My first job at 8 years-old was sweeping floors in a saloon across the street from our house. I guess it was evident back then that owning a bar was in my blood."

During his adolescence Frank's family relied on his earnings as a shoe-shine boy, delivering groceries and newspapers as well as mowing lawns for support. "I learned a work ethic at a very young age. Even today I rarely take the time for a vacation."

After graduating from high school, Frank enlisted in the Marines and served 4 years in active duty in anticipation of using his GI Bill to pay for a college education. Upon his discharge, he enrolled in the American Institute of Banking hoping to pursue a career in banking. "I found myself dabbling in real estate around Silver Spring, Maryland and hanging out in bars to meet girls, so my focus changed." A series of events led to Frank owning/managing a half-dozen nightclubs and bars in Ocean City, Maryland and Washington, DC over the course of a decade.

It was a traumatic event at his Baltimore home that prompted Frank to pack up his wife, Gail, and three small children and move to Florida. "I was a targeted home invasion robbery. My entire family was bound hands and feet... I was blindfolded and had a gun pointed against my head. I was thinking, if I get out of this alive, we're out of here." Fortunately, a phone call from one of Frank's club's managers foiled the completion of the robbery or worse, and eventually the perpetrators were caught. Keeping his promise to himself, Frank sold off his interests in the bars and clubs, packed the family in the car and drove south to Florida. "We started in Ft. Lauderdale and worked our way up the coast. When we got to Palm Beach, I said, this is it. We're not going back." Frank and Gail have raised 6 children (their son Nick currently helps manage 5 of their restaurants) in a modest home in the north end of town.

In 1984 Frank opened E.R. Bradley's Saloon in Palm Beach, and in honor of the saloon's namesake, wanted to do something charitable for a children's organization. "I heard of the Hope Rural School in Indiantown whose enrollment was primarily migrant children, many who lived in shacks with dirt floors and no plumbing. We arranged for the children to come to Bradley's on Christmas and Easter for a catered lunch and gift baskets. Soon the Palm Beach Day School, Publix and friends all wanted to become involved too." Frank is proud relate that 28 years later the tradition continues and today Hope Rural School receives a steady stream of contributions.

Palm Beach Art Dealer John Surovek has known Coniglio for 30 years and often participates in his friend's philanthropic projects. "I doubt there is an individual in Palm Beach County as generous with their time, talent and money as Frank Conigilio," Surovek recently related.

One of Frank's most recent fundraising efforts was for Homes For Our Troops, an organization that builds specially adapted homes for disabled vets, mortgage free. E.R. Bradley's hosted a celebrity bartender night that raised approximately $20,000 in donations and materials to help finance a home for Sgt. Steve Holloway in Wellington. As a former Marine, Frank takes a keen interest in veteran's issues and proudly flies the "Semper Fi" next to the Stars & Stripes at his restaurant locations. Frank also takes an interest in his employees, knowing most of the 250 by their names.

He finds time to relax by playing golf once a week with his son or by walking across the street to the beach to spend an hour unwinding. Pondering his success, he concludes this interview by saying, "It is a blessing what has happened to me, I only wish my dad, mom and sister could be here to enjoy it with me."

What A Difference 17 Years Makes

Brooke Widder at age 4 (left) and Brooke today (right)- A junior at Auburn University

So you think you had a tough childhood.
Last week I received an e-mail from Janet Drennan, with an attached photo of her daughter taken by me 17 years ago. It stated: "Hello Mike, I was wondering if you would be available to take an updated photo of Brooke, who is now 21 years old and a Junior at Auburn University. She'll be home for the last two weeks in June if you are available..."
When I first met Brooke Widder in 1994, she was a 4 year-old who was miraculously a survivor of Ganglioneuroblastoma. At age 2, a malignant tumor shaped like an octopus was found growing on her spinal column. Her parents were told she had a 0% chance of surviving such an aggressive cancer and were sent home from the hospital with the instructions to make their daughter comfortable for the short time she had left. Brooke's mother wouldn't accept the prognosis and found a surgeon at NYU Medical Center in New York City who was willing to try to remove the tumor. "He told us there was nothing to loose as Brooke had no chance of surviving without the surgery," Janet recently recounted for me at her home in Juno Beach. "Brooke endured 2 surgeries and 5 months of massive chemotherapy, but the good news she is now happy and healthy typical 21 year-old."
Although Brooke is reluctant is discuss her childhood illness and few of her friends are aware of her history, she prefers to look to the future. "I hope to attend graduate school and continue my studies in pediatric psychology," she informed me. I then asked her what happened to all the stuffed animals that we used in her portrait all those years ago. "Actually I still have Oatmeal, who I'm holding in the photo. I'm taking her to Spain with me next month."