Sharing the Glow of Gratitude: A Birthday Wish
There was a little extra sunshine radiating from Palm Beach Gardens on March 19th as 18 women gathered to celebrate the birthday of Palm Health Foundation trustee Ilene Solomon Silber.
Rather than a party honoring her milestone birthday, Ilene’s wish was to celebrate the spirit of gratitude among her special group of friends, some whom have known each other for over five decades.
The invitation read, “Ilene’s Birthday Brunch—A Celebration of Friendship and Gratitude,” a theme that carried through the event. All contributed quotes, colorfully displayed as centerpieces, blooming with thoughts on what it means to give thanks. One by Amy Collette, author of The Gratitude Connection, perfectly captured the celebration’s atmosphere: “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness; it's the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”
Barbara Pariente, one of the five birthday brunch hosts, noted that Ilene has always been a catalyst for gratitude, spreading her appreciation in a most meaningful way: by giving back. “I have known Ilene in so many capacities, from when she was head of Communities in Schools of Palm Beach County to launching Take Stock in Children,” Barbara said. “She was always a professional working in jobs that were about giving back. She wants to make our community better by making the most impact.”
A Circle of Friendship
Ilene combines her spirit of gratitude and her desire to make an impact through The Solomon Silber Children and Families Fund at Palm Health Foundation, the place where friends could make a contribution in honor of her birthday. She has made this invitation for many past birthdays, asking others to join her in spreading gratitude through what she calls a “Circle of Friendship.”
This year Ilene’s circle contributed over $5,500 to Palm Heath Foundation to grow her fund which is dedicated to brain health, education, and community engagement, with a preference for making an impact in or around her home city of West Palm Beach. Over the years, Ilene’s commitment to the foundation has gone beyond her role as a trustee. She has committed to bettering community health through personal donations, her time, and her talent.
Ilene’s giving reflects her lifelong career working on behalf of children’s issues. Leadership positions in children’s mental health, early care and education, and as executive director of Communities In Schools of Palm Beach County for 13 years, were experiences that continue to drive her passion to invest in children and families. Through her fund, she has made contributions to Northmore Elementary School, matched by the foundation, to improve the way children respond to trauma through mindfulness and therapeutic interventions, and invested in mental/behavioral health profession scholarships to grow the county’s workforce.
As Ilene’s fund grows through the gift of friendship and gratitude, she is looking forward to reaching the endowment threshold, creating a permanent legacy of giving through the foundation.
“I am hoping to help create a personal legacy that values community, inspires others to get involved on many levels, and makes a viable impact on the lives of children and families in this community, long after I am no longer around,” said Ilene. “Palm Health Foundation demonstrated to me their commitment and ability to implement solutions through community partnerships and collaboration that always value resident input and navigation.”
An Enriching Experience for All
“It’s only natural to make a contribution to a foundation that she has been intricately involved with for so many years and is very meaningful to her,” said Barbara. “We give in her honor to celebrate llene and who she is.”
Friend and fellow celebration host Mona Reis added, “Ilene is someone who is so cherished. She’s the thread of this special group of women who are all very accomplished and care very much about giving back. All of us are aware of how important Palm Health Foundation is to Ilene, how important education has been in her life, and how she leads a life of substance. She carries us along with her in achieving that and enriches our lives in so many ways.”
To her friends, and to all the people she touches through Palm Health Foundation, Ilene is a spark lighting joy throughout the soul of Palm Beach County.
