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Unsung Heroes: Delray Beach woman active with the Loxahatchee Group

By Darcy Clinton, Special Correspondent

December 20, 2009

Name: Ursula Gatti Rafer

Age: 30

Residence: Delray Beach

Birthplace: New Orleans

Career: Owner and baker for Chef Divine Dining, Home of the Cupcake Chef

Family: Husband, Sheridan Rafer

Cause: The Loxahatchee Group, one of southeast Florida’s 17 Sierra Club chapters. The 3,000-member group, comprised of Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Okeechobee residents, meets monthly and provides a variety of ways for members to become active and involved environmentalists.

Q. Describe your volunteer role.

A. I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 2006 and an executive committee board member since 2008. My role on the board is to help generate new membership in Florida.

Q. How did you choose this organization?

A. My father is a plant pathologist. He taught me the importance of protecting nature. My hope is that one day my children will enjoy the parks, beaches and natural areas as I do now.

Q. Why do you volunteer?

A. I have been volunteering since childhood. Both my mother and father taught my siblings and me to give back to our communities through our gifts and passions.

Q. What community involvement opportunities does the Loxahatchee Group offer?

A. Each year, our local chapter campaigns to keep our preserves and wildlife safe, sets up and runs educational booths and tables at local events, runs an Inner City Outings program to teach children about animals and the environment, offers an annual scholarship to one Florida Atlantic University student, as well as many other wonderful outdoor activities designed to help us appreciate our sunny Florida lives.

Q. What projects is this organization working on?

A. During our annual holiday party this year, we raffled donated items from many local green businesses to raise money for the Elaine Usherson Environmental Scholarship Fund, the Inner City Outings program and conservation efforts. Shelia Calderon and Kay Gates, our party committee chairs, worked tirelessly on this event. Whole Foods of Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens donated all the food. Everyone had a great time while raising money for these worthy causes at the same time.

Q. Aside from money, what does your organization need?

A. We are looking for volunteers to help with our Inner City Outings program. After training, volunteers help organize and facilitate the outings with the children. It’s a really fun program and a great way to get involved.

For more information about joining the Sierra Club, visit http://www.florida.sierraclub.org/loxahatchee or call 561-699-3923.

If you know a Palm Beach County resident who deserves recognition for volunteer work, fax the information to 954-429-1207 or e-mail to darcylynnclinton@yahoo.com. Nominations should include volunteer’s name, city of residence, a contact name and phone number, and a brief description of why this person deserves special recognition.

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