Every now and then, we meet people in whose very DNA is embedded passion…passion for a cause and a desire to make the community better. Marty Cass is one of those individuals. For over ten years, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County (EFPBC) as well as serving as Chair of the Development Committee to raise funds to support EFPBC initiatives.
But his commitment to education had a much earlier start. In Marty’s own words: “I grew up in a culture that taught the importance of education. Where I am today is very much a result of the education I received and the passion I have for business, charity and life. Our schools need more resources so they can provide the best education and instill passion in their students.” As BDO’s Practice Leader for the Southeast Region for Private Client Services, Marty provides tax, accounting and consulting services to family offices, high net worth families, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers and closely held businesses.
The combination of Marty’s own commitment to the community, along with BDO’s corporate social responsibility is impressive indeed. BDO is committed to serving the community throughout the US and the world. While BDO is active in many charities throughout the year, November is the month of gratitude and service. It is a firm-wide campaign of sharing what their employees are thankful for and participating in local service activities. Some of their current activities include…
- working with Meals on Wheels, which provides food for and tries to eliminate isolation in the elderly population.
- a letter campaign to raise money to support the EFPBC
- a clothing drive for Goodwill’s Put Your Clothes to Work Clothing Collaborative to provide low-income job seekers with professional attire.
- a donation drive for a local transitional living and outreach program dedicated to helping young women break the generational cycles of abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness through empowering self-reliance and independence.
Marty’s passion for education and his commitment to the EFPBC is evident in all his charitable work. “I work with a group of former NBA stars who provides a free basketball camp to disadvantaged kids, many who have never had an opportunity to go to a camp. Their goal is to assist the kids in not falling to the dangers in the neighborhood. I talk to these kids at camp about the importance of education and how they can find a path to achieve one of the many opportunities in the workforce. When I talk to the young kids, they have passion. They want to be doctors, lawyers, fireman, etc. Somewhere between the excitement of a first or 3rd grader and a high school student, kids can get lost. Working with the Education Foundation may help to save a child”.
That final statement tells you all you need to know about Marty and what motivates him. Marty Cass…business leader, tax professional at BDO, and member of the Board of Directors of the EFPBC. Somewhere on his impressive resume, it should read: A Passion for Education…and a Heart for the Community.
