JAFCO’s Children’s Ability Center kicked off the season with its most successful fundraiser, the 5th Annual In My Shoes luncheon at Boca West Country Club on October 2, 2015. With 750 people in attendance, the organization raised close to $200,000. 100% of those proceeds will directly support family enrichment and respite programs offered at JAFCO’s Children’s Ability Center for families and children with developmental disabilities. The HDS Foundation was honored to attend this year’s In Your Shoes recognition lunch, as it is hugely impactful on the lives of many in that it immensely aids in the funding of helpful and necessary programs. Meagan Bouscher-Miranda, Board Member, and Anthony Caruso attended this year’s event as representatives of HDS.
The program this year focused on introducing to families and extended families, who have a developmentally disabled child relative, what exactly it is like walking in said child’s shoes. In other words, the event paid homage to and acknowledged the struggles endured by developmentally disabled children. It was a meaningful and heartfelt, as well as an incredibly educational experience for all. Those in attendance participated in the event’s traditional ribbon ceremony, in which the guests hold onto a yellow ribbon around the tables and stand in support of any guests who have children or other relatives with developmental disabilities. In addition, the guests watched a video about the center that opened just over one year ago. Next year’s In My Shoes luncheon is already scheduled for September 23, 2016. The committee will begin planning in late February, 2016.