NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, THE FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY BETTERMENT, LAUNCHES PBC CHAPTER; ANNOUNCES FIRST MAJOR EVENT, PADDLE FOR BETTERMENT

Kick-off event to be held Oct. 14 at Dolce de Palma

West Palm Beach, Fla. (September 30, 2009) - The Foundation for Community Betterment, a dynamic non-profit organization founded 10 years ago in Washington, D.C. in order to provide immediate help to individuals in the community with a philanthropic vision that currently lacked the means to succeed, has launched a chapter in Palm Beach County. Its first event, Paddle for Betterment PBC, will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 at Adventure Times Kayaks in North Palm Beach. A launch event is scheduled for Oct. 14 at Dolce de Palma in West Palm Beach.

"Along with my brother, we founded Betterment 10 years ago with seven other young professionals determined to tangibly improve the lives of other giving individuals in the community. Since then, its been incredible to witness the organization's growth to seven chapters around the country that have helped 115 recipients around the globe," said Shannon Curley, who has served on the non profit's national board since its inception in 2000. "With immense interest mounting to form a local chapter of Betterment since I moved here two years ago, now seemed like the right time. People need our help more than ever and our committee is excited at the prospect of connecting with locals who need our assistance most. We look forward to announcing our first recipient soon."

Founded by Curley, the Palm Beach County host committee of Betterment includes Lisa Berman, Maria Castilblanco, Josh Davis, Jenni Garrison, Bhakty Gozaine, Rhys Hollyman, Adam Myron, Erin Ryan, Chloe Savage, Alyson Seligman, Meagen Springer, Neal Victor and Amy Young.

LAUNCH PARTY: OCTOBER 14, 2009

The launch party for the Palm Beach County chapter of The Foundation for Community Betterment, and the registration drive for Paddle for Betterment will be held Wed., October 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dolce de Palma, located at 100 Okeechobee Rd. in Downtown West Palm Beach. Guests will enjoy complimentary passed hors d'œuvres and have an opportunity to learn more about the non profit from the host committee and register for Paddle for Betterment. The event is free and open to the public. For directions, please call Dolce de Palma at 561-833-6460.

PADDLE FOR BETTERMENT: NOV. 7, 2009

A morning kayak followed by a lunch reception and cocktails, Paddle for Betterment PBC will be held at Adventure Times Kayaks, the event's signature sponsor, located at 521 Northlake Blvd. in North Palm Beach. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the paddle starting at 10 a.m. Participants will travel five miles along a river off the Instracoastal, with a water break at The Rum Bar in Palm Beach Gardens. Registration is $40 per person, which includes kayak rental and the lunch reception. All proceeds will benefit a local, to-be-announced recipient.

For those looking to 'sleep in' while still supporting the cause, tickets for the lunch reception, which begins at 12 p.m., can be purchased for $20. Cost includes a catered lunch, cocktails, music and festive games.

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, or to RSVP, please visit www.communitybetterment.org/pbc or email pbc@communitybetterment.org.

About the Foundation for Community Betterment

The Foundation for Community Betterment is a national non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization founded in 2000 by a group of young professionals who wanted to "better" their communities by making an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals, families, or organizations who currently lack the means to succeed. Since its inception, Betterment has raised over $1.1 million and distributed proceeds to 115 individuals and organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad. The Foundation provides assistance to those who need a little help; the hope is that our simple actions can create a ripple effect of goodness when our recipients continue to positively impact those around them. Recipients are considered based on immediate impact, recommended by someone in the Betterment network, and those with a philanthropic spirit. A volunteer-driven organization, it continues to be run at the national level by the majority of its founders and one staff person. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has expanded to include active chapters in several U.S. cities including: Alexandria Bay, NY; Buffalo, NY; Canton, OH; Cleveland, OH; Cincinnati, OH; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC and now Palm Beach County, FL. For more information, visit communitybetterment.org.

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