WEST PALM BEACH — Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office made an $80,000 donation to aid in the work of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. The sum was raised through personal donations made by members of the Palm Beach County Deputy Sheriffs, PBSO officers and employees.

Accepting the gift from the deputy sheriffs was Sophia Eccleston, the Homeless Coalition’s past president, presented by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Deputy Sheriff Jim Mackey, who spearheaded the fundraising effort for his team. Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner also attended the presentation.

Mackey said, “Every day I go out to see who needs help, and help them. That’s why I became an officer. Policing is all about helping people.” Deputy Adrian Maldonado notes that on his beat, “I talk to the homeless, see where they can go, how to help them.” He notes that sometimes this involves using his personal resources to get people back on their feet, or into housing. “This is what it means to serve,” he says.

Eccleston said that, “coming as it does just before our 2020 Mayor’s Ball, one of our major fundraising events for the year, this timely, generous donation is a welcome one to kick-start the ball’s fundraising effort. We could not be more thankful to the Palm Beach Count Sheriff’s Office and their deputies for this act of service.”

The Mayor’s Ball will be held virtually this year, on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. The exclusive online travel auction began Oct. 1. Visit https://homelesscoalitionpbc.org to register.

The Homeless Coalition was formed in 1986 and incorporated in 1989 as The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. It is a 501c3 not for profit corporation that serves as a catalyst for community collaboration to prevent and end homelessness in our community.