THE BRUNCH COMMITTEE
Event raised funds for Lifesaver Scholarships
December 19, 2023 – Hanley Foundation hosted the third annual Brice Makris Brunch on Sunday, December 10 at Boca West Country Club. Hanley Foundation Board Member John Makris and his wife Michelle chaired the event that honored their son, Brice, who tragically passed away at age 23 from Fentanyl poisoning. With more than 350 attendees, the event raised nearly $250,000, which will benefit Hanley Foundation’s Brice Makris Endowment Fund for lifesaving treatment scholarships and addiction prevention programs.
John & Erica Garwood, Rachel Docekal, Michelle & John Makris
“We observed a change in Brice’s behavior toward the end of his senior year at Florida State University,” said Michelle Makris. “Within weeks of this discovery, he began treatment. We learned that addiction is a brain disorder; it’s a disease. Tragically, the disease overcame our son, and we’re sharing his story to help other parents who are fighting in their kids’ corner to battle this disease.”
During the event, the Hanley Foundation Community Spirit Award in honor of Brice Makris
was given to Erica and John Garwood, founders of the Mark Garwood Foundation, launched in memory of their son who passed away from complications from substance use disorder and diabetes. Their foundation has helped raise over 435,000 for educational scholarships for individuals in recovery.
“There are thousands of smart and talented individuals right here in our community, just like Brice and Mark, who are suffering from substance use disorders,” said Rachel Docekal, CEO of Hanley Foundation. “Events like this are critical to destigmatize this disease, help spread the message of hope, and raise important funds that allow us to continue to expand our substance use prevention and recovery programs.”
Dave Aronberg, U.S. State Attorney for Palm Beach County served as the honorary chair of the event. Honorary guests also included Marty Haberer, Tina Polsky, Jan Savarick, and Troy McLellan who were this year’s celebrity chefs and judge for Hanley Foundation’s 2nd Annual Boca Celebrity Cookoff—the kickoff event to the Brice Makris Brunch.
“We’re thankful to everyone who made this event a success. Ultimately, it’s about saving lives and restoring hope, and events like the Brunch make that possible.” Amy Gottlieb, Director of Development said.
Sponsors included: MDVIP, Hanley Family Foundation, April Lewis, All Star Healthcare Solutions, Sharon DiPietro, The Law Offices of Pamela Higer-Polani, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, Lori McDonald, Teal Scott, Lesser, Lesser, Landy, & Smith, PLLC, Stuart Friedman & Family, Alec, Jennasey, & Isaac Makris, Marcia & Doug Mithun, Kaufman Lyn Construction/Doug Simms, Altman Tuan Friedberg, FHE Health, Adolph & Rose Levis JCC, Allegiance Home Health, Andrea & Brian Wasserman, Astor Simovitch Law, Michelle Boyce, Marguerite Connelly, Lisa & Brett McMillan, Lorie & Ed Rowan, Debra Weinstein & Andrew Schlein, Samantha & Alan Goodman, Arnold & Linda Wasserman, Karly Parsons, Rewards Magazine Direct Mail Advertising, CTMD Research, Erica & John Garwood, Gary Hildebrand, Jeanette & Greg Bloshinsky, Karyn Gershon, Mandy and Christopher Oldham, Dr. Lisa Corsa/Premier Therapy Solutions, Raineau Group, Sharon & Leonard Sokolow, Wyndham Boca Raton, USA Home Health, Quirantes Family, You Are Accountable, Suncap Technology Executive & Financial Staffing, First Family Insurance, Advanced Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Mark Garwood Foundation, Leonaggeo Benefits Inc/Aflac, Anmarie & Jim Galowski, Integrity Billing, Francine & Dr. Richard Papantonio, Lisa Bierman Franklin, Lynda & Richard Zimmer, Monica & Eric Buck, Meg & Scott Lesnick, and Boca Magazine.
About Hanley Foundation
Hanley Foundation envisions a world free of addiction, leading the way as the largest provider of grant-funded prevention education programs in the State of Florida. Hanley Foundation’s mission is to eliminate addiction through prevention, advocacy, treatment, and recovery support. In addition to offering recovery scholarships to those in need and facilitating trainings to identify the signs of substance misuse, the Foundation works to reduce stigma and inform policy through its advocacy efforts. Hanley Foundation educates, changes minds, and saves lives with its evidence-based programs proven through research to prevent and delay the use of alcohol and other drugs. For more information about Hanley Foundation, please visit hanleyfoundation.org or call 561-268-2355. Follow on Instagram and Facebook @HanleyFoundation, and on LinkedIn and Twitter @HanleyFNDN.
