Carmine’s dinner raises $51,500 for Pace Palm Beach

By AI, Created 10:52 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – A four-course Italian fundraiser at Carmine’s La Trattoria in Palm Beach Gardens drew 160 attendees and raised $51,500 for Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach. The money will support free academics, counseling and life-skills services for girls and young women in Palm Beach County.

Why it matters: - The $51,500 raised will support free girl-centered education, counseling and resources for Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach. - Pace says those services help girls build academic, emotional and life skills at no cost. - The fundraiser adds local support for a program that has already reached more than 3,000 girls in Palm Beach County since 1985.

What happened: - 160 attendees gathered for a four-course Italian dinner at Carmine’s La Trattoria in Palm Beach Gardens on Wednesday, April 22. - The event raised $51,500 for Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach. - The evening included live music, a silent auction, wine pairings and dessert. - The event took place at Carmine’s La Trattoria, 2401 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.

The details: - Pace girls and young women receive academic instruction, counseling and therapy from staff trained in girl-centered and trauma-based care. - Pace also provides life coaching on practical skills such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping and how to land a first job. - These services are available at no cost. - Mindy Hanken, executive director of Pace Palm Beach, thanked guests, event co-chairs Pamela Pangas Cope and Sean Casey, and sponsors for helping expand programming. - Pace Palm Beach was founded in 1985. - The organization says it has produced transformational personal and professional improvements for girls. - Carmine’s La Trattoria has received recognition including Palm Beach Post “Best of the Best” Community Choice Awards, Reader’s Choice Awards, Boca Life Magazine honors, OpenTable Diner’s Choice and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2022. - Sponsors included Everyday Solutions, Nextera Energy Resources, Treecyle Land Clearing, Regions, Centerline, Khanna Connections, Chase, FPL, LaBovick Law Group, PB Post, El Bodegon, Corporate Air, LocaliQ, HCA Florida Healthcare, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley Attorneys at Law, Johnson-Davis Inc. and Third Federal Savings & Loan. - More information is available at Pace Center for Girls. - Pace Palm Beach’s Instagram page is here.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser shows how local restaurants, sponsors and community donors can directly underwrite youth services that are offered free to participants. - The event also signals continued community backing for Pace’s trauma-informed model, which combines academics with counseling and life skills.

What’s next: - Pace Palm Beach will continue using event funding and donor support to expand social and academic services for more girls. - The organization will keep promoting its broader mission to support middle and high school girls across its network.

The bottom line: - Taste of Italy turned a dinner event into direct support for girls in Palm Beach County, with proceeds aimed at education, counseling and practical life preparation.