Charlie and Jean Fischer, with Dave Chirico

By Amy Woods:

More than 100 guests crammed around the bar at Russell’s Blue Water Grill in Palm Beach Gardens to support a local Realtor and his mission to help local nonprofits.

This month, David Chirico, of Illustrated Properties, selected Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope as his charity of the month.

“I choose local charities that need help and don’t get much exposure,” Chirico said. “Also, I will only give to them if I know a least 80 percent stays within the charity.”

All funds raised for Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope go directly to help Palm Beach County patients in treatment with family expenses, including mortgages, electric bills and health-insurance payments.

"I love to help people," Chirico said. "My passion is children."

Since its founding seven years ago by President Charles Fischer and his wife, Executive Director Jean Fischer, the organization has paid out more than $1 million, aiding nearly 800 patients.

“No other organization helps the community in this manner,” Jean Fischer said. “Research is great, but it’s not going to help someone pay their electric bill.”

The fundraiser generated more than $1,300.