Name(s)?
Lucy Foerster
Where do you live?
Coconut Grove
Where are you originally from and what brought you to town?
I grew up in Miami Beach. I went to college in Philadelphia and then worked there for a bit and moved back in 2009.
Please share about what you do for a livelihood or what keeps you busy during the week?
As my Dad says, my ‘big kid job’ is working for a wealth advising company called Provenance Wealth Advisors. I’m a client associate. We’re helping secure people’s future in their portfolio and family planning.
But, my passion job is being the Executive Director of my family’s foundation. It’s called the Woody Foundation. We work hard to help people who are living with paralysis.
What does being the Executive Director entail?
It entails talking with donors and coordinating the events and then in the middle of the night – when we have boxes to move, I move boxes. I coordinate volunteers and secure connections with the gifts that we give. We try to make our gifts as dedicated as possible. We like to buy items that we know will help individuals on the first level instead of giving a general donation.
Recently, I helped pinpoint certain equipment at Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital that could help hundreds of people. Or sometimes we say – Hey, ‘Do you want to go fishing on an adaptive boat, like a family?’ And then we’ve paid for that, which is really cool.
Would you share about how the foundation got started?
Of course. In 2011, my cousin Woody sustained a spinal cord injury playing rugby. To help heal our hearts and answer the question of ‘why did this happen to him?’, some members of our family and people we know in the Miami community got together and created the foundation. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis and their caregivers.
What are the big events the foundation hosts?
We have a lobster dinner in February and then we have a golf tournament in April. We have a lion fish tournament in June and then in November we have a Benefit concert.
Which is your favorite?
Ooh, that one’s tough. I would say the benefit concert because we’ve geared it to happen on Give Miami Day and it’s free. So, it’s like our foundation is giving back to the city of Miami while raising awareness about what we do.
How often do you come to the Pinecrest market?
Twice a month
What’s your ritual like when you come?
Smoothies at LNB for sure. Then either go full meat and get lunch from Howie at Eat-the-Bone or go vegan and get a nice bowl from Lamoy.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at LNB Grovestand and why?
Smoothies! I usually get a different one every time. I can never decide which my favorite is, so I just typically point at one and I’m like, I’ll have that one. I’ve been drinking the Turmeric Tonic for about two years. My cousin, Will was like ‘you gotta have some of this’ and said that’s gross ‘what are you doing?’ And then, I tried it and I really liked it. Sometimes, when I’m feeling sick, I can only continue if I have your tonic. And sometimes, I add the tonic to my rice and it is a tasty surprise.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at other stands at the market?
I like the pickle guy, Howie, that you guys talked about a couple weeks ago, he’s super nice. I like Keez Beez. And then, I’ve actually known Buster for a really long time from Counter Culture. He was actually one of my first bosses when I moved back to Miami. I remember the main boss was like, ‘Busters quitting and making this healthy juice, whatever. He’s never gonna make it.’ And now, he’s like crushing it. It’s so cool!
What do you think the market is missing?
Live music.
Do you have any good market stories?
I love when I don’t plan on meeting my family there and then were all in line to get your smoothies at the same time, on our own. That happens a lot.
Most-frequented local restaurants and what dish to order:
I pretty much try to stay in Coconut Grove. I really like the curry at Atchana, it’s so delicious. And, Atchana herself is just a spitfire. And then, I really like Last Carrot for lunch and then either Lokal or Spillover. Jeffrey Kushner knows what he’s doing – His food is delicious. And their happy hour – $1 oysters. Are you kidding me?
Where do you like to go for a special occasion?
My mom’s a chef, so I like it when she makes me food on a special occasion…. Bolognese or eggs benedict…
Do you like to cook as well?
I do. Cooking is such a great opportunity to gather people and celebrate community. I recently got a gas grill. I’ll grill everything – fish, chicken, vegetables, whatever’s in the cabinet.
What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
I wonder how often people really go to Fairchild. You know, people talk about it, but I’m not sure that many people go as often as we all should. I like to like pack a lunch and just go in there and sit and read and eat. It’s like you’re not in Miami anymore.
What’s a good rainy day activity?
Sitting and reading. I love reading. I am in a book club in Miami. We just finished Pachinko. I would say, the first 75 pages are a little tedious, but then it gets really, really good.
Where’s the most romantic spot in Miami?
Biscayne Bay
What are your hobbies?
I help run Coconut Grove Run Community. It’s a group of people who enjoy walking or running. We meet every single Wednesday night at 7:00 PM and have a three mile route that people can come and join and go as long as they want or as short as they want. We stretch afterwards and then sometimes go to Sushi Maki, in the Grove. We meet at Kennedy Park right by A C’s Icees. All are welcome!
Do you own your own business or offer a service? Would you share a pitch about yourself or company with the community?
I would pitch the Woody Foundation and say – If you want to help put people smiles on people’s faces then check out The Woody Foundation.org.