HOPE South Florida hosted its Annual HOPE for the Holidays Gala on November 30 at the newly renovated Bahia Mar on A1A in Fort Lauderdale raising $170,000. Proceeds will benefit homeless families and veterans providing meals, housing, mobile showers, employment assistance and other critical services.

Among the evening festivities, there were live and silent auctions, raffles, DJ, dancing and a champagne toast. The evening of beautiful décor, elegance and purpose to help end homelessness in Broward County was emceed by local favorite Calvin Hughes, WPLG Channel 10 Anchor with nearly 400 guests in attendance including Kathleen Canon, CEO, United Way of Broward County, Commissioner Heather Moraitis, City of Fort Lauderdale, George Moraitis, Former Florida House of Representatives, Commissioner Julie Fishman, City of Tamarac, Brigadier General Edward Merrigan, II of the United Sates Army, and Major General G.W Stephen Read (Retired).

“With this amazing support tonight from our donors, sponsors, partners and volunteers, we are increasingly poised and prepared to lead with local government, United Way, the private sector and faith partners to make a significant dent in ending homelessness in Broward County” said Dr. Ted Greer, Jr., CEO of HOPE South Florida.  “I am tremendously humbled by this amazing turnout, the generosity of our friends, donors and sponsors. We want to help bring awareness, give HOPE South Florida our time, talents and the resources to advance their mission” said Jennifer Stepelton, Gala Committee Chair.

HOPE South Florida’s 2017 accomplishments included securing close to 80 local churches to join forces with their mission, provided emergency housing (150 households), Shared Meals (80,000 hot meals), Mobile Showers (700), Rapid Re-Housing for families & veterans transitioning from the street into their own apartments (209 households) and support teams for families (mentoring) for 24 families.

Much of HOPE South Florida’s growing success is largely due to committed hands-on volunteerism and financial support from core faith partners including Christ Church United Methodist, First Presbyterian of Fort Lauderdale, Rio Vista Community Church, Cross Community Church, Coral Ridge Presbyterian, First United Methodist Church, Christian Life Center and Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Special thanks to dedicated lead sponsors Stacy Foundation, Holy Cross Hospital and Holman Automotive.

For more details, visit hopesouthflorida.org.