Atlantic Ave Magazine November 2023

Virginia and Harvey Kimmel
REGULARS | CITY PEOPLE
If you met Harvey and Virginia Kimmel, you would
think they were like most retirees living in Palm
Beach County. They enjoy traveling, spending
time with friends and attending cultural events.
But, that is where the great divide is dispelled.
When not doing earthly ventures or watching
Virginia make jewelry or cook a gourmet meal,
there is a lot to be said.
Others do most of the talking about the Kimmels. It
is not, however, the standard banter of gossip or scandal,
it is the truest form of humanity – one of philanthropy
and honor.
When you meet the Kimmels you learn that philanthropy
to them is not merely the act of writing a check.
Anyone can do that, if provided the means. On the
contrary, the Kimmels have made helping others their
main crusade.
They started doing this 30 years ago in Philadelphia
and Michigan and have continued their philanthropic
prowess in Palm Beach County. It is in Delray that they
have spread their philanthropic wings to include cultural,
educational and leadership programs for children
and teens.
Like many retirees who put down stakes in Delray
Beach, the Kimmels fell in love with the little town that
could. They adore the cultural aspects of Delray, and
the quaint small- town vibe that includes big town
thinkers and creators.
The reason for their generosity (to give grants and
funds to over 30 different non-profits and colleges) is
compassion and life experiences.
Virginia’s father passed away when she was three
years old and was raised (with four other siblings) by
her mother Anna. She couldn’t do many of the things
her classmates were doing because there weren’t
funds to support it. Instead of piano lessons, Virginia
took voice lessons. “I didn’t need a piano this way,” said
Virginia, who was raised in Chicago and has a creative
side that rivals Martha Stewart.
Harvey, who grew up in Philadelphia, came from
humble beginnings as well. He had to work his way
through college and missed out on cultural events or
classes for financial reasons.
But all that is behind them. What is left is the indelible
mark of two people who have realized that to give
is better than to receive. “Non-profits are our love. It is
what our life is about,” said Harvey, who is the yin to
Virginia’s yang.
Their daughter Sara sums up the patriarch of the
BY DIANE FEEN | PHOTO BY MELISSA KORMAN
Giving As An Art Form
family this way, “My father is such a friendly guy my
friends call him the mayor. When he walks into a room
he knows half the people and within minutes he knows
the other half.”
Sara is now walking in the footsteps of her parents.
The former Harvard psychologist is now doing nonprofit
work in Boston and is taking on some of the Kimmel
Family Fund responsibilities.
Though her parents say she is taking over the Fund,
Sara is a little more circumspect than her parents. “I
have taken over general operation of the Virginia and
Harvey Kimmel Family Fund, but my parents are still
very involved and passionate about giving.”
Sara is correct. The different community opportunities
that open up for those with golden hearts (and the
means to heal and support growth) continue to grow
in Palm Beach County.
And, if you know the Kimmel’s, you know they don’t
talk as much as they do. Their intentions reverberate
around Palm Beach County like hummingbirds on
rechargeable batteries. They have meetings with potential
leaders of causes that range from helping children
of police officers to starting cultural and musical
programs for underserved children. They also support
the police department and gave a grant to hire a social
worker to help those without homes and at-risk.
To create a globe of their giving, one would have to
expand the realm of possibilities to its infinite form.
They support the Delray Citizens for Delray Police
Scholarship program for children of officers in the Delray
Police Department. The co-founder, Perry DonFrancisco
has an aerial view of the Kimmel’s selfless giving.
“The Kimmels are first ballot Hall of Famers in the
Delray Beach Philanthropy Hall of Fame. They make a
tremendous impact on the quality of life for many diverse
groups. Their remarkable proactive generosity is
a gift that benefits all residents of Delray Beach.”
You bet they do. They started the Kimmel Leadership
Academy at Palm Beach State College in Boca. The
program has been an amazing success. It has changed
students’ lives and garnered them a sense of place
within the world, themselves, and their peers.
But the giving doesn’t stop there. At the Milagro
Center they created the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel
Milagro Junior Teen Center. This provides funding for
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