"Live talk show luncheon" raises $65,000!

Release date: 5/12/2010

Fort Lauderdale, FL (May 12, 2010) Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), Intercoastal Division, held its 9th Annual Helping Turn Lives Around Luncheon “Every hand in the life of a child makes a world of difference.” on Friday, April 30. With more than 250 guests, the annual luncheon raised close to $65,000 and featured Majic 102.7 Radio Host Donna Davis. Davis took the stage and presented the audience with compelling "behind-the-scenes" interviews with CHS foster families, adoptive parents and their children, and successful adopted daughter of Late Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, Rhea Chiles.

The annual luncheon helps promote awareness of CHS’ mission and while raising the much-needed funds to assist the I. Lorraine Thomas Children’s Home.

CHS Executive Board Members Bonnie Levengood, Director of Marketing of 1-800-PetMeds, and Patricia Norman-Figueiredo of EngCo, Inc., co-chaired the philanthropic event. "Our goal of the HTLA luncheon was to raise awareness of the needs of Broward county's foster children and families in crisis. We were very pleased with how many of our communities' leaders attended and donated to our cause," says Levengood.

"Some even shed tears upon hearing the stories of abused children whose lives were turned around with the help of the Children's Home Society of Florida's counselors and their loving foster parents," says Norman-Figueiredo.

Maroone, An AutoNation Company was the main sponsor of the luncheon; supporting sponsors included Norman Zapcynski, Daoud's Fine Jewelry, Greenberg Traurig, Bistro D Catering at DCOTA, The Elite Group and Brenda Zook of Jolo, Inc.

CHS also recognized community advocates who truly have "Helped Turn Lives Around" through their continued support and dedication to its mission "Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives." Honorees North Broward Preparatory School, Temple Beth Emet, Best You Can Be Foundation Inc., Cardinal Gibbons Catholic High School and The Perlyn Family were presented with a token of appreciation and had the chance to share with the audience why they give back to the community and its importance.

Created in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is the oldest and largest statewide private not-for-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida. The Intercoastal Division, established in 1967, serves 2,500 children and families in the Broward County area each year through a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs. Services include foster care, adoption assistance, a children's emergency home, parent education, child abuse prevention programs, and more. CHS, which served more than 97,000 children and families throughout the state in 2008-2009, is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla., and offers services in more than 100 locations by more than 1,500 staff members dedicated to providing child-focused, family-centered care.

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.