A Message from Your President

Dear Members: We are ending another successful season for our Section. On behalf of the Board, I am filled with gratitude to you, our members and friends, for your positive impact on our community. Whether you joined us as a first-time member, participated in our community service projects, attended our events, and/or spoke out on our issues, you have made a difference. I look back on all that we have accomplished and I am reminded of a story. Although you might have heard it, it is worth repeating. “One day, two friends were walking along a beach that was littered with starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As they walked, they saw a person who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one. Puzzled, they looked at the person and asked what was happening. Without looking up from the task, the person replied, ‘I am saving these starfish.’ The friends laughed, ‘There are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?’ The person picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the ocean and said, ‘I made a difference to that one!’” (adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley) NCJW Palm Beach members work extremely hard to serve some of the most marginalized citizens in our county and beyond. Although we do our best to meet as many needs as possible, we might question if we are really making a difference when the hardship is so great. As the starfish story demonstrates, when we make a difference to one person it can have lasting impact. Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” We hope that you will continue to join us and make a difference in the lives of women, children and families. Have a wonderful summer. We will see you soon. Best regards, Dianne