BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Helping Hands is rolling out a new signature fundraiser this spring — and tying it directly to the local nonprofit’s growth over the last two decades.
The organization announced its inaugural Hands & Hearts Gala: A Legacy in Action will be held April 25 at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, 2425 W. Maya Palm Drive in Boca Raton. The evening will honor Gary Peters, the group’s retiring board president and past board chair, credited with helping guide Boca Helping Hands through years of expansion.
Boca Helping Hands said the gala is designed as a major fundraising event to support the nonprofit’s core work across Boca Raton and the rest of South Palm Beach County, including hunger relief and a wider set of services aimed at stabilizing families and individuals facing crisis.
During Peters’ 20-year tenure in leadership, Boca Helping Hands said it grew from a modest soup kitchen into an organization that now serves more than 35,000 individuals annually at five locations throughout South Palm Beach County. The gala is being positioned as both a celebration of that legacy and a push to fund the next phase of the group’s work.
Gala co-chairs are Trisha Ramudo, Hayley Peters Smith, and Tandy Robinson, the current board president.
Boca Helping Hands said the April 25 event will feature dinner, auctions, casino gaming and program-focused moments highlighting the organization’s work in the community. The nonprofit identified JM Family Enterprise as the overall sponsor.
A second fundraising event is also on the calendar: a Monopoly® Game Night & VIP Cocktail Party scheduled for March 25 at The Addison, 2 E. Camino Real in Boca Raton. Boca Helping Hands said the competition begins at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. cocktail reception for VIP guests.
“These two events are our major fundraisers for the year, and we are deeply grateful to our chairs for their leadership and vision in creating such exciting and impactful evenings,” Boca Helping Hands Executive Director Dr. Andrew Hagen said.
Boca Helping Hands said proceeds from the events will support services that include hunger relief, job training, healthcare, emergency financial assistance, childcare, and weekend meal programs for Palm Beach County schoolchildren.
The nonprofit is based in Boca Raton at 1500 NW 1st Court and describes its mission as providing food, medical, and financial assistance to help individuals and families improve quality of life and build financial stability. Boca Helping Hands also noted it is a partner agency of the Town of Palm Beach United Way and holds several third-party recognitions, including accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and Charity Navigator four-star status for 18 consecutive years.
Ticket information for the gala is available online, and Boca Helping Hands also listed a phone line for inquiries.
For more details, see the announcement on the Boca Helping Hands website.
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