Entrepreneur Carl DeSantis Donates $1 Million to the Dare 2 Be Great Foundation

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Philanthropist and lifelong entrepreneur, Carl DeSantis, has announced a $1 million donation to the Dare 2 Be Great Foundation (www.dare2begreat.org), a Delray Beach non-profit that provides college scholarships and mentoring programs to outstanding, financially needy Delray Beach students.  DeSantis, a long-time Delray Beach business leader, was the founder, CEO and Chairman of Rexall Sundown, a vitamin manufacturer and distributor that grew from a small mail order business in his garage to a worldwide leader in nutritional supplements. DeSantis sold the company in 2000 for in excess of a billion dollars.

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"This donation is a game changer," said Dare 2 Be Great co-founder Morgan Russell. "It will enable Dare 2 Be Great to reach new heights and allow us to mentor and support the next generation of Delray Beach leaders and entrepreneurs."

"I am impressed by the mission and accomplishments of Dare 2 Be Great," DeSantis said. "And I am honored to be able to help our local young people achieve their potential by giving them an opportunity to be educated and to learn from mentors what it takes to succeed and win in life. The goal we all share is to invest in the future of Delray Beach by investing in its youth."

DeSantis, who has contributed countless millions to a variety of charities, has also personally financially backed many entrepreneurs in the pursuit of their business dreams.  

"I never wanted lack of finances to hinder greatness," said DeSantis.  "That's why this program appeals to me. But what makes me so passionate about Dare 2 Be Great is the program's goal to have the most promising youth of Delray Beach return to the area and become its next generation of leaders."

A positive economic future for Delray Beach has always been a part of DeSantis' business philosophy. His company, CDS International Holdings, is involved with many local businesses and owns Atlantic Plaza and Linton Towers in Delray Beach. CDS is currently partnering with The Edwards Companies of Ohio to redevelop Atlantic Plaza into "Atlantic Crossing," an important mixed-use project featuring state-of- the-art office, retail and residences in downtown Delray Beach.

DeSantis considers "Atlantic Crossing" a legacy project creating much needed office space and entrepreneurial job opportunities. "The development will represent a quarter of a billion dollar plus investment in Delray Beach resulting in an estimated over $2 million annually of much needed tax revenue; over $6 million of projected spending by the new residences in shops, restaurants, and entertainment. In addition, substantial construction jobs and over 600 permanent jobs will be created," he stated. 

Russell and former Delray Beach Mayor Jeff Perlman founded Dare 2 Be Great three years ago over breakfast in Pineapple Grove. They envisioned an organization that would identify future leaders, help them obtain a college education while providing mentoring along the way. 

SOURCE Carl DeSantis