Nearly three decades later, although budget cuts have made it necessary for the Poverello Center to reduce client services, the organization’s mission and focus haven’t changed. With the assistance of the City of Wilton Manors, Poverello moved its Friends Fitness Center to a new and larger location.

CEO Tom Smith says, “We have made the gym grow from 2,000 square feet to almost 4,000 square feet. The clients are so happy to have more space. We now have a central reception area, and we have added office space that is available for other non-profits and not-for-profit organizations,” which he notes includes phone and internet capability.

Smith says that Poverello has experienced the larger economic crunch, as well as the additional costs of relocation, but he is optimistic. “It’s been a tough year with the expenses of the move, the build out—and we had to let four staff members go due to the economy, but we are on our way back. The Thrift Store income is increasing, and the whole team has pulled together. We will make it,” he adds. “As we grow, our mission will include more individuals with other life threatening illnesses.”

Poverello will host its 22nd Annual Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, August 11, at the Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac.

Complimentary coach services will be provided to and from the event.

For more information, including organizing a team, visit poverello.org.

According to Poverello’s Dale Madison, “We’re falling way, way short this year. Typically, it’s 1,200. However, this year because of the economy, we’ve had to take on more clients and we’re going to need about 2,000. It’s tough out there. Some of the people that left while the economy was growing have had to come back because either they’ve lost their jobs or their job has been downsized. It’s been a tough year.”

For a donation of $14.57, you can provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner for a family which includes the turkey, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, pie and all the rest of the fixings.

You can also just drop off a turkey at Poverello and they can add the rest of the accompaniments.

Poverello needs your donations by November 15 so the dinner boxes can be made ready for their clients.

CONCERT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

The Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School Lightning Singers will combine efforts with the South Florida Lambda Chorale to present “Sing for the Cure: A Proclamation of Hope,” in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Susan B. Komen for the Cure South Florida. The concert will take place on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School Auditorium, 1410 County Line Road, Miami.

Tickets for this one-night concert are $15 and available from the Lambda Chorale members and the students beginning Monday, October 11 or at the door.

For more information contact Gary Keating Lambdagary@aol.com or (954) 650-0143.

COME JOIN A LONG-AGO ERA

Slick back your hair or put on an amazing flapper dress because the Poverello Center is transporting you back to the ‘20s — a time before the Great Depression when modernization, economic growth as well as social progression seemed all encompassing and radio became prolific and with that the sweet jazz music and the Charleston.

Part of that transformation happens as you walk into the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum where 35 beautifully restored Packards, which were considered the Rolls Royce automobiles from America in their day, along with literally a plethora of early automotive memorabilia will be on display to further your “Roaring 20’s” experience. Not only that, our very own jazz songtress, Kimona with be performing jazz standards from Cole Porter, Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Bassey for your dancing and listening pleasure.

But it doesn’t stop there. The Great Gatsby Gala is pulling out all the stops with an open bar (no Prohibition here) and delicious cuisine provided by Fort Lauderdale’s own Chef Ron Kerr. The menu consists of such items as Miso Glazed Scallops, Stuffed Risotto Croquettes, Braised Short Ribs and ending with such things as Double-Dipped Chocolate Truffle Lollipops.

Finally, Poverello presents a live, as well as a silent auction with items as varied as a sightseeing helicopter ride to Miami and back, lunch with the Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick, and an authentic guitar signed by the famed rock band, Styxx. There is much, much more offered and for a complete listing please go to www.poverello.org

FLORIDA AGENDA TOY DRIVE EXPANDING

A few weeks ago I announced that Florida Agenda would be sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive kicking off on November 1st. I am very happy to announce our first drop off site: Island City Health and Fitness in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors! In addition to toys, we are also expanding the toy drive to include items for the Broward County Humane Society. Items can be droppedoff during regular business hours. We will also have brightly decorated drop boxes available and any business who would like to help with the collection, we’ll be happy to bring a box to their location. We will periodically pick up the deposited items and bring them to our central collection area. Please contact me at dalemadison1@aol.com or call my cell at (954) 478-2415.

Have an event you’d like to see in this column?

Please email me at dalemadison1@ aol.com

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By DALE MADISON

Several years ago while writing for another publication, I saw an opportunity with the holidays rapidly approaching and the economy faltering, that there were probably going to be a lot of kids that wouldn’t have the best of times during that holiday season. I went to my boss and asked about doing a “toy drive” to ensure that those children would have a good holiday. To my surprise he grabbed the idea and over the next six weeks, thanks to the generosity of the members of the old Main Street Gym, we gathered so many bicycles, dolls, games and other toys that we were able to generate enough items that we included three local charities in the distribution of items. Those groups were Broward House, GLCC/Pride Center and Poverello.
A couple of weeks ago when I accepted this position as a Features Editor for The Florida Agenda, I mentioned that a friend of mine had approached me about doing another such toy drive. As bad as the economy was back then, it’s certain- ly no better today. The powers that be at The Florida Agenda, Mark magazine and Jump on Mark’s List jumped at the opportunity to participate in such a toy drive for this year.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the first annual Florida Agenda Toy Drive which this year will benefit four local charities: Broward House, GLCC/Pride Center, Kids in Distress and The Poverello Center. Assisting me will be long time friend and local bartender Jason Balsimico.

Together we’ll be contacting local businesses to act as drop-off center for the Drive.
As Jason put it, “the holidays are about kids. To watch their eyes on Christmas morning after Santa has been there is just amazing. To think that there would be any child in Broward County that doesn’t have something to open is heart breaking.”
Donation boxes are now in the process of being wrapped and thanks to the courtesy of CopyThis, posters are being printed to go on the boxes and donations will start soon in various locations throughout the county. A couple of things that we are in need of are: a major staging area to display the toys as they are collected, a storage unit where items can be held until distribution just before Christmas, lots of locations for collection boxes to be placed, and volunteers to help with the distribution. When we put this together four years ago, Poverello, along with other organiza- tions, reached out to their volunteers and we made it a huge success.

This year, Jason, Florida Agenda and I hope that the generosity of the community, along with the fact that we are starting so early, will lead to an outpouring of toys and gifts so that’s why we decided to open the opportunities to more individuals. Anyone wishing to volunteer or wanting to help as a collection point can do so by contacting me through my email at dalemadison1@aol.com or on my direct line at (954) 478- 2415.

With over 200+ participants in this year’s Poverello Bowl-A-Thon, you can only imagine what a party it was.  With sponsors Ultimat Vodka and Paton providing coolers with Cosmos and Margaritas for the 20 minute ride on the beautiful luxury Davis Tours coaches, we had the makings for a great event.

Even with the down economy and less teams than last year, nearly $40,000 was raised for the Poverello Food Bank clients.  Funds are still being collected from participants and from the Poverello website, which you can contribute to by visiting www.poverello.org. The comments about the new venue for the Bowl-A-Thon were amazing.  The staff at Sawgrass Lanes were friendly, professional and a pleasure to work with. Beginning in October, Sawgrass Lanes will host gay lueagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information you can call Lissette at Sawgrass Lanes at 954-722-2700.

Anyone who has ever planned a major event such as this knows the amount of detail and work that goes into it.  Now for the winners:  Top Team: City Furniture.  Most Money Raised : Team Ultimat Vodka and the Mustang Lounge with nearly $5,000.  Most Heart Award: (this award is for the person with then highest number of individual donors) Amy Kowaleski of Ultimat Vodka.  Highest Female Score: Fredda Rubia with 530, and Highest Male Score, Lon Hoehne.  Congratulations to all for their great efforts.

Congratulations also goes out to Norton Lyman, the winner of the Grand Prize drawing for the week between Christmas and New Years at a furnished condo on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Poverello also wants to extend a very special thank you to James Morris.  James participated in the Sidelines Cook Off over the past 3 months and was the winner of a Commercial Grade Char-Broil stainless steel gas grill.  After winning the grill he announced that he was donating it to the Poverello Bowl A Thon.  Thanks for thinking of your fellow men, women and children that Poverello is feeds.

Thanks to all of the amazing sponsors who made it all happen:  Bowling Shirt Sponsor Broward Health and Ultimat Vodka. Coach Sponsors: Florida AIDS Walk, Ultimat Vodka, Matty’s on the Drive, New Moon, and Rosie’s. Thanks also to all of the local business that donated the 100 items that were raffled off during the day.

Believe it or not, plans are already starting for next years Bowl A Thon and the date will be announced very soon.

Of course before that don’t forget the Great Gatsby Gala in October, sponsored in part by Mercedes-Benz of Fort Lauderdale, Geo Vax Labs, and Ultimat Vodka.Once again go to our website for all of the details!

www.poverello.org.