WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (January 6, 2026) – The West Palm Beach Library Foundation raises a half-million dollars at annual Food for Thought Dinner!

 

 More than 210 donors and supporters of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation enjoyed an elegant, entertaining evening at the annual Food for Thought Dinner, held November 8 at The Beach Club, Palm Beach. “For the past five years, Food for Thought has continued generating increased revenue - a significant accomplishment that represents our commitment to the Mandel Public Library to provide the resources that keep the life-changing programs and services free and accessible to everyone,” stated Dean Dimke, Chief Executive Officer.

 

Board Chair Margaret Moraskie stated that “It was my privilege to present the West Palm Beach Library Foundation’s most prestigious recognition, the Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence, for only the second time in the Foundation’s history, to Melissa Sullivan. Melissa is living proof that the very best things often come in small packages. She is a force: quiet when she chooses to be, unstoppable when she needs to be. Her strength, her energy, her smile and her heart fill every room she enters. Her exceptional leadership, personal generosity, enduring impact, and personal character are just a few of the traits foremost in her selection.”

 

“I absolutely love the Mandel Public Library and believe it is vital for everyone in the community to have access to the programs provided for all ages,” stated Melissa Sullivan, in her third year of serving as the event chair, “but especially for the children, since reading is essential.”

 

The evening’s guests were enchanted with the banter between the Foundation’s special guest speaker, Daniel Silva, in conversation with his wife Jamie Gangel, a CNN special correspondent, as they chatted about Daniel’s approach to writing a remarkable 28 New York Times best-selling books in his illustrious career. He is best known for his Gabriel Allon series. Silva’s books are critically acclaimed and have been translated into more than thirty languages. His most recent work, An Inside Job, was released this summer and, once again, was an instant #1 bestseller.

 

Sponsors of the evening included: Melissa Sullivan, Platinum Benefactor; Grand Benefactors included The Honorable Ann W. Brown, Levenger, and Yvel; Benefactors were Jody Gill and Beverly Myers; Honorary Co-Chairs were Abe & Dianne Bernstein, Carrie & David Edwards, and Roger & Myrna Landay. Daniel Silva was underwritten by Leo and Kathryn Vecellio and Howard and Julie Rudolph.

Publisher-Level Sponsors included Josephine Bayard, The Eric Friedheim Foundation, Frances & Jeffrey Fisher, and Trey & Lindsay Mahoney. Author-Level Sponsors were Ricky & Lisette Wade, Brain & Spine Center of South Florida, and Related Ross. Palm Beach Illustrated was our Media Sponsor.

 

The event also featured a spirited Silent Auction during the reception, and a Live Auction led by renowned auctioneer Jay Zeager, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Mandel Public Library programs – from afterschool homework help and summer learning for youth, to job readiness and adult education.