Keith A. Myers, President/CEO of MorseLife Health System, today announced a gift of $1 million from Palm Beach and Boston-based residents and philanthropists Jean and Frederic Sharf.  Mr. Sharf is retired from the sports marketing business and he and Mrs. Sharf are major benefactors of arts and health care organizations.   Additionally, they are avid collectors and donors of art collections in Boston, New York and South Florida.

This gift will be designated to the non-profit’s transportation program, which includes a fleet of buses and vans that serve seniors on its campus and community.  Specifically, the fleet of vans transports seniors in long-term care, independent and assisted living, memory care, adult day care and Palm Beach PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly).

Mr. Sharf noted that he and Jean were first introduced to MorseLife a few years ago and upon visiting, were “blown away by the level of service provided to seniors of Palm Beach County and we wanted to help.”  The couple’s first capital gift in 2014 named the Welcome Center in the nonprofit’s long-term care residence.  Today, the Center is the site of the elegant exhibit “100 Years of Fashion” which the Sharfs loaned for two years until it will be transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  After that, other collections of the Sharfs will be exhibited in the Welcome Center for the enjoyment of staff, residents, families and visitors.

Mr. Sharf noted that soon after making their gift to MorseLife, an unexpected event occurred – he required the services of the Mack Pavilion for Short- Term Rehabilitation.  “As a patient, I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the excellence of staff and programs and was further impressed by the care and outcomes,” he noted.  “The team worked with me to get me back on my feet and my rehabilitation still continues as an outpatient.”

Because of that experience, the Sharfs decided that they wanted to designate another gift, but they wanted to do something different.  “Naming a fleet of vehicles ultimately appealed to us because it was not merely unique, but it enabled MorseLife to get out into the community further,” he said.  “The program also brings more people to the organization for care, and for seniors living on campus, it affords them greater access to appointments, outings and cultural events.”

Keith Myers notes that transportation is often the one vital service for seniors that means the difference between loneliness and independence.  “Our transportation program opens up the community to seniors who might otherwise find themselves isolated and unable to access both essential health care services, and events and programs designed to enrich their lives,” he said.  “We are so grateful to Jean and Fred for putting their names on our fleet of vehicles and their generosity speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to MorseLife and our seniors.”

The concept of the Sharfs’ initiative fits well within their other philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Sharf noted.  “Jean and I are very interested in impacting the lives of people of all ages, whether it be in making the world more accessible through transportation, or bringing the world of art to more people through exhibits at major institutions such as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston; Mount Sinai Hospital, New York; Brigham and Women’s, Boston; and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.”

Mr. Sharf adds that he would like to call the MorseLife transportation program the “Sharf Fleet,” although “Sharfmobiles” has also been suggested!

For more information about MorseLife, its services and fund raising initiatives, call (561) 209-6103 or foundation@morselife.org.