Jan 3: AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Kudos to Susan Stern, our Chapter’s Director of Community Service, for spearheading the wonderful Christmas Party event held at the Broward Outreach Center on December 19th. The HSMAI “elves” visited the homeless center in Pompano Beach to brighten up the children’s holidays with food, beverages, and gifts.

One of the nicest things to happen was that we learned that some of the families had found homes so there weren’t as many children on site as expected. What a great Christmas gift for them! We had about 30 to 40 mothers and their children enjoying the festivities – punch and snacks and opening gifts and chatting with Santa. I should say that Dan Cohen did a fantastic job of playing Santa – so real was his outfit that I didn’t recognize him at first under that long white beard!

By the decorated tree, some of the elves sorted the gifts by gender and age to make it easier to distribute them to the children. We got to enjoy seeing the children hug their stuffed animals and play with their toys. Just to see the smiles on everyone’s faces was a heart-warming reward.

Thank you to everyone who donated gifts. I’m sorry we don’t have everyone’s name to recognize. We collected almost 200 presents. Broward Outreach will be distributing the rest of the gifts to new arrivals. Thank you to the coordinators at the drop off points: Bill Baker (Days Inn Hollywood), Michelle Deloya and Tricia Cecere (Hyatt Place Plantation), and Sandy Edwards (Jungle Island), as well as our Executive Director Phyllis Festinger who answered questions and rsvp’s. And to those who took the time out of their day to attend and assist at the event: Jennifer Weaver (Smart Source); Donna McCarthy (Jungle Queen); Janice Bauer (Mark Scott); Ellen Serra (Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port); Amber Harper (Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port); Christina Greenley, (Collegiate Chapter- FIU); Richard, (Christina's boyfriend, FIU); Tessa (Hyatt Place); Tricia Cecere (Hyatt Place); Peter Magnusson (Sharp Marketing); Julie Wernick (JWFranklin & Associates); Deema Aqra (Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach);Robin Orrell (Crown Plaza Hollywood Beach); Sandy Edwards (Jungle Island); and of course, “Santa” Dan Cohen (Mega Parties/Media 17). My apologies to anyone I missed. Again, special thanks to Susan Stern (Hampton Inn Plantation).

Oh, I almost forgot to mention. The Broward Outreach Center is constantly looking for other donations. They have an on-site store that supplies business suits for women looking to re-enter the job market. They can use amenities (shampoo, soap, etc.) for their day visitors who use their shower facilities. Nina Corbe, Community Development Associate is your point of contact. She asked that you call FIRST to see what’s needed and so that she can arrange to meet you and collect your donated items. Call Nina at 954-935-3048 and let her know you heard about her organization through our chapter of HSMAI and you’d like to help. All items will most appreciated.