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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2002

Message from the Chair

Florence Bonsuk, Chair

I am truly honored to serve as The Able Trust's Chair. The Board of Directors are an incredible group of volunteers, and I'm proud to continue working with each of them over the next two years.

I have been involved with the Foundation since the inaugural Gala at Mar-a-Lago, where I initially began as a steering committee member and an event sponsor with Cartier. It seems most fitting that my term as Chair begins when we celebrate the event's fifth anniversary. And what a celebration it was! This year's Gala at Mar-a-Lago was another success, and everyone who attended felt the excitement and energy as we brought the Moulin Rouge to life.

An amazing silent and live auction helped us exceed our fundraising goal, which I'm proud to announce reached over $300,000 this year.

Thanks to a strong Ambassador program, The Able Trust secured a new supporter for our mission. Mrs. George E. Batchelor and the Batchelor Foundation have joined us in our cause to help employ Florida citizens with disabilities, and we look forward to working with them in the years to come.

We are also grateful to all of our sponsors, including Walt Disney World Co. and Bob Billingslea who has been with us since the beginning, as well as JFK Medical Center and the other sponsors whose continuous support helps to make the gala what it is - a true celebration of the abilities of Floridians who have disabilities.

In the months ahead we will keep you informed of the plans we have for the 6th annual gala, scheduled for November 1, 2003. For now, think Polynesian!

We will also continue to update you on our grant activity and special projects. The new year is an excellent time to get involved with The Able Trust.

If you're a nonprofit agency, be sure to visit our new Knowledge Center at www.abletrust.org and learn how to benefit from our grants program. If you are an employer, take advantage of the free membership in the Business Leadership Network and stay informed about the latest disability hiring issues. Or, if you have an interest in youth, contact our staff about volunteering at the YLF next summer.

In the meantime, have a safe and healthy holiday season. I look forward to getting to know each of you better over the next two years and working with you to help Floridians with disabilities gain independence through meaningful employment.