Local

Operation Lift HOPE Targets Solutions to Homelessness

Since the City of Fort Lauderdale passed a controversial ordinance restricting feeding the homeless in public places outdoors in October, Mayor Jack Sieler has been criticized by many for the city’s decision to stop 95-year-old Arnold Abbot and others, who defied the ordinance by feeding the homeless in public parks and at the beach. The story went viral on social media and Fort Lauderdale leaders, depicted as heartless bureaucrats, have been the butt of jokes by many, including the Colbert Report. However, hope is rising behind the scenes as a team of community leaders from the government, private and social […]

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Nick Vujicic to Share the “Power of Becoming” at Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

Picture a man who has no arms or legs balancing on a surf board as he cuts through the waves with a grin from ear to ear, and you will catch a glimpse into the zest for life that exudes from Nick Vujicic, an inspirational speaker and international evangelist who is capturing the hearts of youth and adults worldwide. Questions about Nick Vujicic “People say to me, ‘How can you smile?’ Then they realize there’s got to be more to life than meets the eye if a guy without arms and legs is living a fuller life than I am,” […]

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World of Hope Furniture Completes Expansion

After a recent expansion, World of Hope Furniture now has Broward County’s largest selection of fine quality pre-owned furniture and new mattresses. A Christian non-profit designed to help those less fortunate, specifically kids, single moms and the homeless, World of Hope Furniture offers free pickup of household furniture and household items that are in good re-sellable condition and provides tax deductible receipts. With its new 7,000 square foot store located at 1401 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale, World of Hope can display a much larger inventory. They also have a web site that shows over 1,000 new furniture items […]

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Sailing Crew with Multiple Sclerosis Receives Award at Gala

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation awarded the crew of “Oceans of Hope” its prestigious National Beacon Award during the “Hats Off” Gala on December 6. This award acknowledges achievements in generating broad awareness of multiple sclerosis and the challenges faced by those affected. “Oceans of Hope” is an initiative of the Sailing Sclerosis Foundation. The nine-member international crew of the vessel is comprised primarily of persons with MS, whose project is to circumnavigate the globe aboard a 67-foot sailboat. A leg of their extraordinary journey brought them to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., coinciding with the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation’s premier event on Dec. […]

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River Run 5K Raises $12,000 for Place of Hope and 4KIDS

On Saturday, December 13, Spanish River Church hosted the 7th Annual River Run 5K Run/Walk, presented by McKinnon Wealth Management. About 525 runners and walkers came out for the event.  Participants ranged from 4 years old to 84 years old. Another 50 kids ranging from 2 to 12 years old also ran in a free Fun Run.  Awards were given to oldest and youngest participants and top 3 male and female runners over-all and in their age category.  The event raised over $12,000 to benefit The Place or Hope – Haven Campus in Boca Raton and 4Kids of South Florida, […]

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LifeNet4Families Serves Up a 5-Star Meal for Homeless

LifeNet4Families transformed their dining room into a 5-star restaurant on December 18. For that one special night, clients dined in style at what was called “Miracle on 33rd Terrace” thanks to a delicious gourmet meal prepared by guest Chef Sheldon Sanders, of Sanders Affairs Catering. Approximately 30 of their homeless clients were randomly selected and participated in a sit-down dinner complete with a menu, waiters, saxophonist, round tables, fabric table cloths, dinnerware, cutlery, and glassware. This memorable fine dining experience allowed clients to enjoy prime steak, breast of turkey, garlic smashed potatoes, string bean almondine and a citrus salad. “Because […]

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Pembroke Pines Third Grader Wins Cooking Contest

The UNCLE BEN’S® Brand, the number-one selling brand of rice in the United States, named Cai Killings of Pembroke Pines, one of five grand prize winners of the Ben’s Beginners™ Cooking Contest. The nationwide contest encourages children to make healthier meal choices by getting them interested in cooking at an early age. As one of 25 finalists selected from hundreds of entrants in grades Kindergarten through eighth, Cai was awarded with a $30,000 school cafeteria makeover, a $15,000 cash prize and a hometown celebration at Franklin Academy with New York-based celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Entrants submitted videos of themselves and […]

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Memorial Service Honors 58 Homeless People Who Died in Broward Last Year

The bell tolled for each name. With each name I noticed him sobbing. Tears, large wet ones, fell from his face into his lap. His scarred face was bent over and he covered his eyes in shame. More than once he apologized to the other homeless persons sitting next to him. The annual Homeless Person’s Memorial Day Service held at Christ Church on December 11 was an amazing act of love and grace for people whose time on this earth had faded away without even a notice. As each name was read aloud, the bell tolled and someone rose (homeless […]

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Residents Can Now Test and Secure Amplified Phones at No Cost

Broward County, Florida – Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), the non-profit distributor of specialized telecommunications equipment for people with hearing loss and speech disabilities, and Broward County audiologists announced a new partnership aimed at educating Florida residents about hearing loss solutions and resources available throughout the state. As part of FTRI’s #KeepFloridaConected campaign, Broward County residents can test a new home phone that amplifies incoming sounds up to 50 decibels at area audiologist’s office. Designed specifically for people with hearing loss, residents who qualify for the FTRI program can secure the phone at no cost. FTRI is making this testing […]

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Experience Handel’s Messiah

The New Presbyterian Church Concert Choir, professional orchestra and soloists present the most popular and beloved oratorio ever written in the English language, Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m. The concert will be held at Pompano Beach High School, 600 NE 13th Ave. in Pompano Beach. Directed by Steven Hammaker, the performance will include solos by Carrie Quarquesso, Philip and Caitlin Alongi, Emilia Acon, Gibson Dorce, Lloyd Reshard Jr., Michael Irvin, Orlando Valdes and Maryann Webel. Handel’s Messiah spans the whole redemptive message of Scripture: the prophecy of Christ’s coming and His birth, His suffering and death […]

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