Mission Statement
To bring joy, comfort, care and security to as many people as possible by collecting necessities such as food,
clothing and other wearing apparel, as well as toiletries, books, videos, gifts, toys, candy and teddy bears for
indigent, needy and/or sick children, abused women and children, the physically, emotionally and/or mentally
challenged and the elderly in the Palm Beach County community.
Dear Friend of the Community:
Community Friends, Inc. (“CFI”) was conceived with the idea that everyone could be a friend of the community by
helping others. CFI offers the community the opportunity to give donations of gifts or cash which are used to help those in need in Palm Beach County. Each year we place numerous toy collecton boxes around the County which, together with cash donations, and holiday parties to collect toys, affords CFI the chance to help thousands of our indigent neighbors, mostly children, as well as many local charities. Click here to view a list of charities we helped in 2017.
In 1996, I began hosting parties at friends’ homes, and in later years at larger venues, to collect toys, teddy bears, food, clothing, toiletries, diapers, and essentials for children and families in need, the elderly, the abused, the homeless, and the physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged in Palm Beach County. That effort grew and expanded greatly, so that in 2002, the decision was made to create a qualified 501(c)(3)charitable organization, exempt from taxation by the IRS. The creation of CFI as a charity added to my ability to collect gifts and donations for needy recipients, which could now be tax deductible to donors.
The annual holiday party continued until about 2005, when it became evident that the effort and cost of the parties was too great compared to the gifts they generated. Instead, my efforts in collecting gifts and donations for the community was intensified by soliciting businesses and individuals, and placing collection boxes strategically around the community. Those collecting publicly would be mentioned in CFI’s annual request letter. The collection included toys from the Palm Beach Post’s annual holiday party, as well as others hosting parties to collect for CFI. For the past 10 years, SLPowers has held their annual holiday party to collect for CFI, which has afforded us the opportunity to help hundreds more each year. We are grateful for this very generous partner.
Next Steps…
Please use the contact page if you would like to participate in helping the community.
Sincerely,
Deborah Fox Katz