FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Sita G. Harrison
Public Relations Director
The Alexis Agency
Office (772) 231-5999
Cell (772) 532-5329
Parag Patel's Memory Will Live On Through Family Foundation Aimed at Building a Safer Community
A Treasure Coast family struck by tragedy has made an unexpected gesture of generosity. The late Mr. Parag Patel, owner of A&M Discount Beverage in Fort Pierce, was gunned down last month when four youth entered his convenience store during a robbery. The family has since received an outpouring of support and donations from the community. Instead of keeping the funds, they held a grand 'reopening' of the store and announced they will be giving the donations to local charities. They established the Parag Patel Foundation to honor Parag's memory and wish for a safer community.
Its goal is to give underprivileged children a better chance at life, which the family hopes, in turn, may prevent similar future violent actions involving these youth from occurring.
The late Parag Patel's l6-year-old daughter, Nidhi, chose the Children's Home Society of Florida Youth Transition Center as one of the beneficiaries.
"My Dad has always given a lot to the community," said Nidhi Patel. "For kids who have not had the opportunity to excel in life do this to him was heartbreaking. If we can give them a chance to succeed - through education, employment - maybe they won't feel obligated to commit this kind of action again."
While all underprivileged youth are challenged to become independent adults, former foster youth are at significant risk. According to the State of Florida Department of Children and Families and the Independent Living Services Council, 24 percent of l8-year-olds exiting the foster care system were arrested within the past year. The Child Welfare League estimates that 37 percent do not have a high school degree, 56 percent are unemployed, and 25 percent become homeless within one year.
"The Patels' generosity after such a tragedy is just incredible to me," said Lawrence Brooks, Executive Director, CHS Treasure Coast Division. "They have not only turned this into something positive, they are actually helping solve the problem."
The Youth Transition Center will help youth, l8-23, who 'age out' of foster care make a positive transition into adulthood. It will provide stable housing, educational and employment opportunities, life skills training, mentoring and other life necessities to youth from St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.
To donate to the Parag Patel Foundation or the charities it will serve please call Mrs. Neha or Nidhi Patel at 772-489-7766. Donations should be made payable to the Parag Patel Foundation. Any amount will be appreciated. Donations can also be sent to A&M Discount Beverage, 2114 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. To learn more about the Youth Transition Center visit
www.youthtransitioncentertc.com or call Jamie Adcock, Associate Director of Development at CHS, at 772-489-5601.
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