News

HOPE South Florida Celebrates 20 Years of Help for the Homeless

HOPE South Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and shared meals for the homeless families, veterans and individuals, hosted its 20th Anniversary Gala and Silent Auction at The Venue in Wilton Manors on November 6th. This year’s event brought together supporters, clients, volunteers and staff for an exciting evening that included testimonies from the founder, Fred Scarbrough, and Josh, a former child in one of the housing programs, as well as a silent auction and live music. The event focused on telling the story of the history and founding of HOPE South Florida. From its humble beginnings as The […]

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Virtual Reality Drunk Driving and Texting Simulator Hosted at TKA

The King’s Academy offered a drunk and distracted driving education program and simulator for its students last month. UNITE’s Arrive Alive Tour® program uses a high-tech simulator, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving. The simulator allows participants to experience the potential consequences of drunk and distracted driving in a controlled environment. One of the most commonly recognized driving distractions is cell phone use. About 89 percent of all Americans have a cell phone, according to CTIA – The Wireless Association. Drivers under 20 years […]

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Fans Scored Big During the Gridiron Grill-Off

Despite rainy conditions, nearly 3,000 people attended “John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival,”on November 14 where they tackled samples of grilled entrees, paired with premium Gallo wines, while raising funds for Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, which supports local organizations that Feed the Needs of Kids in Crisis. This year’s 2015 Judge’s Choice Champions were former Miami Dolphins running back Troy Stradford and Chef Greg McGowan of Pelican Landing at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six for their Grilled Spanish Octopus recipe. Throughout the event, attendees voted for their top recipes via the Gridiron Grill-Off app and selected former Miami […]

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Firewall Centers Grant

Firewall Centers was one of 13 nonprofits in the United States to receive the ABC Be Inspired Community Grant to further creativity. This $5,000 grant funded by Disney will allow the 400+ Firewall students the opportunity to take an active role in creating a yearbook. The students got to participate in a photo booth, a drawing station and a station to illustrate their favorite Firewall values. The pictures and drawings from the yearbook day will be featured in the Firewall yearbook so the students can remember the wonderful memories they make at Firewall each day! On a recent yearbook day […]

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‘Tis the Season for…Christmas Lights

The history of electric Christmas lights is fascinating in itself. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the original light bulb, used the Christmas season to promote electric lights for the trees. In earlier days, people would use candles to light the trees and would stand by with a bucket of water and a bucket of sand to put any fire out. The candles would only be lit for a few minutes at a time, and adults watched carefully for any sparks coming from the branches. Around the turn of the century, the candles were placed in glass balls or small lanterns. […]

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As Refugee Crisis Intensifies, Compassion, & Security Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

  In the wake of the gruesome terror attacks that killed 129 people last month in Paris, more than half of U.S. governors say they oppose hosting Syrian refugees in their states. New Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., joined other GOP lawmakers calling for a pause in U.S. plans to allow more Syrian refugees into the country over the next year. Nearly every Republican presidential candidate called for a halt to all or most Syrian refugees entering the country. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said it’s difficult to learn if a few Syrian refugees among hundreds could be ISIS […]

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Challenging California’s New Abortion Law

I remember many years ago there was a bumper sticker that asked, “What do you choose when you’re pro-choice?” In reality, most “pro-choice” advocates often push one choice to be available and exercised — the choice to terminate a baby’s life via abortion. And now if the liberal legislature and governor in California have their way, the promotion of the choose-abortion message will be spread even further. Last month, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a requirement that pro-life crisis pregnancy centers must advertise in writing — in large print — where women can get an abortion for free or […]

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Christmas Around the World

Did you ever wonder whether Christmas is mainly a Western tradition, or if it is celebrated in other countries that are not Christian as we think of it? Christmas is actually celebrated in many unique ways in every country around the world, some predominantly Christian in culture, and other nations where Christians are a tiny minority in a culture dominated by secularism or other religions. Here are a few examples.   France In France, a Nativity crib is often used to help decorate the house. During December some towns and cities, such as Marseilles, have fairs that sell Nativity figures. […]

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Wreaths Across America Adorns the Graves of Fallen Heroes

All across the nation, American citizens expressed thanks to those who served in the military on Veterans Day. Veterans, both young and old, were given their day of love and reflection. Some, however, never live to experience that honor. That’s where Wreaths Across America comes in. When one sees the spectacular vision of graves with wreathes decorated in a festive and honoring fashion, it expresses a true sense of honor and gratitude. What is Wreaths Across America? Morris Worcester was the owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Maine. They specialized in delivering wreaths to people across the state. In 1992, however, a […]

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A Hometown Christmas Near the Beach

South Florida will celebrate a hometown Christmas with music, dancing and fun for all ages at the 9th Annual Christmas Near the Beach on December 12th from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Arts Park at Young Circle in Hollywood. The event will include bands, ballet, drama, a kids zone, a sports zone, Christmas food drive, vendors, classic car show and a free photo with St. Nick at his “Beach House.” It will kick-off with some worship and soon St. Nick will arrive in a convertible and give a gift to baby Jesus. The inspiration behind this was to appeal […]

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