April 10, 2010

Frances Esposito, CEO, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc.
Jan Moran, President and Chairman of The Jim Moran Foundation (accepting the BPHI Foundation Trusteeship Award) Dan Taylor, Esq., Chairman, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc.

Frances Esposito, CEO, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. Kim Jaeger, Media and Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc. (accepting the BPHI Corporate Trusteeship Award) Dan Taylor, Esq., Chairman, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. FORT LAUDERDALE – The 20,000 square foot SheltAir Aviation Hangar located at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport served as a unique backdrop for over 350 guests who attended the 11th Annual Salute to Leadership benefit on Saturday, April 10th. The event raised more than $257,000 with all proceeds benefitting Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (BPHI).

Guests, many dressed as pilots and flight attendants, came together to honor The Jim Moran Foundation and Publix Super Markets, Inc. A significant contributor to the success of BPHI’s Family Services Program, The Jim Moran Foundation received the Foundation Trusteeship Award for its longstanding commitment to improve the quality of life for youth and families living in South Florida. The Corporate Trusteeship Award was presented to Publix Super Markets, Inc., a philanthropic corporation that has supported BPHI since 1998 with its financial resources, professional expertise and employee based volunteer activities. 

City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom Broward County Commissioner John Rodstrom, Jr. Frances Esposito, CEO, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. Mrs. Jan Moran, President and Chairman of The Jim Moran Foundation said “Because my husband grew up in the Great Depression, he knew what it meant to need and to not always know what tomorrow would bring for him and his family.  Despite his later success, he never forgot where he came from, and he always credited his success to hard work and being in the right place at the right time.  For The Jim Moran Foundation, giving to Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. was the right place and this was the right time to once again extend his hand of compassion.  I know Jim would have expected his foundation to respond to the community crisis of homelessness and to do our part in making a positive difference.”

Dominick and Meike MiniaciMs. Kim Jaeger, Media and Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Miami Division explained to the audience “It is because of our customers that we are able to do all that we do in the community. Thank you for your patronage. When you continue to shop with us we are able to continue to give back. This award is dedicated to our customers. And to Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc., you are a true partner, it is more than writing a check, it is from volunteering our time and in so many others ways that we support each other.”

Elliot Borkson, Event Co-Chair and BPHI founding board member Barbara Hunter Scot Hunter, Emerald Asset/Ultimate Software, Just A Plane Party Silver Sponsor The success of the event is attributed to the volunteer efforts of Co-Chairs Elliot P. Borkson, Esq. and Dodie Keith-Lazowick and the Host Committee which included Ray de la Feuilliez, Arthur Greenfeder, Chuck Mohr, Susanne Hurowitz, Kevin Leonard, Edward McCluskey, Elliot Melamed, Carol Molnar and Carlos Reyes, Esq.

Sponsors who supported the event included Platinum Sponsor the Leo Goodwin Foundation; Gold Sponsor JM Family Enterprises; and Silver Sponsors SheltAir Aviation Hangar, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., AutoNation, Inc., Sun-Sentinel and Emerald Asset/Ultimate Software.

Gordon Latz, event emcee and live auctioneer, created quite a few entertaining bidding spars among the guests. Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti, appeared on stage and auctioned himselfDodie Keith-Lazowick, Event Co-Chair and BPHI board member off twice for the winners to “Spend a Day with the Sheriff.”  Prizes also sold included a seven day cruise in the 1,100 square foot owner’s suite aboard one of Carnival Cruise Line ships, a pair of Jon Paul Jewelers 2.5 ct. diamond earrings, a weekend for six at Ron Bergeron’s private 3,000 acres Green Glades Ranch, a round of golf for three with legendary football star Jason Taylor at the prestigious Adios golf course, and the final prize, appropriately fitting to the theme of the night, a certified autographed photo of aviator Charles Lindbergh and a post marked letter he personally carried aboard the Spirit of St. Louis on his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

SheltAir Aviation Hangar, event setting Since Tent City’s closure in 1999, BPHI has operated the Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center (Center) / Huizenga Family Campus, a 200-bed emergency housing facility for homeless men, women and families with children. In addition to the provision of safe and secure housing, residents receive mental health counseling, primary medical and dental care, substance abuse treatment, case management, education, vocational training, employment services, and supportive services for families including child care. Since the Center’s opening on February 1, 1999, more than 14,700 men, women and children have received quality care and the essential tools needed to rebuild their lives. 

Wayne Huizenga's helicopter For further information, to volunteer or to make a donation to Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. please contact Berne Teeple, Director of Development at 954-832-7037 or bteeple@bphi.org