PALM BEACH, FL. – As Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches enters its fifth decade of service, the agency’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Celebration is being led by a pair of women who have worked tirelessly in support of the mission to end and prevent episodes of family homelessness.
Longtime Adopt-A-Family supporter and board officer Heather B. Ferguson has been named chair of the event, a beloved holiday tradition that will be held Dec. 2 at a private Palm Beach club. Lisa Swift, another dedicated agency friend, is serving as honorary chair. Both women have been active with Adopt-A-Family’s work since the 1980s.
New to this year’s event, a Young Friends Committee of agency ambassadors is working in harmony with the Tree Lighting Committee and in support of other agency initiatives throughout the year. The Young Friends Committee is chaired by Jessica Swift, daughter-in-law of Lisa Swift, and co-chaired by Victoria Racanati Feinberg.
Chairing her second Tree Lighting Celebration, Ms. Ferguson became involved with Adopt-A-Family when she served on the Adoption Selection Committee, which was tasked with choosing families to receive assistance. She chaired her first Tree Lighting Celebration in 1990 and has remained a passionate advocate for the organization.
“One of the first families I met was a single mom working two jobs while her children slept in the backseat of her car,” Ms. Ferguson recalls. “That experience drove me to involve others. The need is still so great, and I am honored to be even a small part in the work the organization does to change lives.”
Lisa Swift remembers her first Tree Lighting Celebration at the Worth Avenue National Bank, where her husband’s Kiwanis Club sponsored a family. She knew immediately that this was a cause that would remain close to her heart. With a background in social services, she was invited to join the Adoption Selection Committee and quickly became an integral part of Adopt-A-Family’s holiday programs. A former Tree Lighting chair and dedicated volunteer, Ms. Swift says she is thrilled to serve as honorary chair and added, “I’m especially excited to see our new Young Friends Committee bringing fresh energy and festive plans to the celebration.”
The 41st Annual Tree Lighting Celebration will usher in the holiday season where guests will enjoy an extensive silent auction, lush orchid display, and “everyone wins” Wine Pull before sitting down to a three-course gourmet meal and live auction led by Neil Saffer. A client testimonial and the lighting of the Angel Tree add meaningful touches to the event, Adopt-A-Family’s largest annual fundraiser. Last year’s Tree Lighting Celebration raised $1.2 million, directly funding programs that support families in crisis and create long-term pathways to stability.
Tickets for the event are $500 per person. Tables and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.aafpbc.org to learn more about Adopt-A-Family’s mission, programs, and impact. For event-related information, please contact Sydney Parmet at sparmet@aafpbc.org or (561) 444-0399.
