As an elected official, I believe my responsibilities are much greater than just responding to constituents or voting on legislation. Public service includes bringing diverse interests together to advance the common good. People helping each other can often solve problems that individuals cannot overcome. Hopefully, the G.I.F.T. Program, which I plan to continue throughout my legislative career, will bolster the effort to introduce both young and old to volunteerism. It is my hope that the G.I.F.T. Program will educate and inspire people to realize they can change the world, and provide them with opportunities to accomplish this goal.
Each G.I.F.T program is designed to motivate the community to help solve problems by helping each other. The idea behind the project is that when a problem is identified, the program can help “Get it Fixed Today” by bridging those who need help with those who can provide it. The kickoff event for the G.I.F.T program took place in October 2005 when Central Park Elementary School’s book drive netted more than 1,000 books to local retirees of the Senior Center, Classic Residence by Hyatt in Plantation. Since then, we have brought Elementary Schools and the Jubilee Center, a soup kitchen that provides meals to the needy, together to generate more than six tons of food in three successful canned food drives! I am also happy to share the news of this year’s G.I.F.T program, a “Cut-A-Thon” with the Girl Scouts of Broward County and Sheridan Technical Center to benefit Locks of Love, an organization that creates wigs to needy children who suffer from hair loss. Over 100 Girl Scouts generously donated ten inches or more of their own hair for this wonderful organization!
It is amazing to witness the profound lessons that children can teach us. The young students from each of these schools made a decision to do something to make a difference in the lives of others and they succeeded in accomplishing their goal. With each child that has an opportunity to learn about charity to others, we are creating a new generation of kindness and selflessness. Although we must live for today, we must build for tomorrow.
As always, your input is important to me so if you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Pembroke Pines office (954) 437—3936, Aventura (305) 936-5724, or Washington, DC (202) 225-7931.
# # #
