On April 18, realtor Burt Minkoff organized and hosted a clothing drive to benefit Compass Community Center’s Youth Group. The drive was held in partnership with three art galleries in West Palm Beach and brought the community in Palm Beach County together for a common goal.

Compass is Palm Beach County’s LGBTQ+ community center, boasting programs for LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV. Minkoff, an avid supporter of the organization, organized the drive because he wanted the compass youth to have access to quality clothing for special events like dances, proms, graduations, and other notable occasions.

With a large truck parked outside the galleries and a sign that read “Compass Clothing Drive Drop Off,” Minkoff and the Compass team were inundated with clothing donations from the community. Among the donors was PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss, who represents Compass’s district on the Board of County Commissioners.

The three Galleries partnering with Minkoff, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, TW Fine Art, and New Wave, provided food and beverages in their galleries while a food truck was available outside. Casa Branca, an interior design firm, also participated in the drive. After attendees dropped off their clothes, they were given tours of the galleries and their paintings and the opportunity to add new art to their collections.

Compass raised over $500 during the event and filled a box truck with donated clothing.