Lumber Liquidators, a nationwide chain of 198 stores, presented a check for $100,000 to ShelterBox USA’s Executive Director Veronica Brandon Miller and Emergency Response team member Steven Tonkinson at their Falls store location on April 2.
Making the presentation was Lumber Liquidators’ Founder and Chairman, Tom Sullivan, who confirmed that five percent of all sales made on April 3, 2010, will be donated to this global program but no less than the $100,000 presented on that day.
As an Emergency Response Team member, Steven Tonkinson will be traveling to Haiti on April 15th to help coordinate yet another delivery of the boxes to that region. Tonkinson, a financial planner by day, helped coordinate shelter box delivery in Miami, escorting them through customs right after the earthquake and setting up a temporary command center at the offices of Rick Tonkinson & Associates in Coral Gables.
Spring break, Passover and Easter festivities combined with the Sony Ericsson Open on Key Biscayne and The Fair brought thousands to South Florida for a glorious week of indoor and outdoor activities.
Those who made the Easter Brunch at the Westin Colonnade on Sunday enjoyed a fabulous buffet with Executive Chef Thomas Russo on hand to make sure all was perfect. Among the many enjoying the brunch were Rotary’s Executive Director Ter ry Long with her mom; Russo’s wife, Caroline; and this writer’s family and friends including Lee Kessler and Christina Burns, who skipped the Ericsson finals to brunch; Vince Flor; Cathie Burns, Allison Bean and John Burns, to mention a few.
Speaking of Rotary, the Coral Gables Rotaract has partnered Rotaract Panama to implement their annual “Gira Médica,” or Medical Journeys, a $6,000 endeavor that brings much needed medical supplies and professional treatment to rural, impoverished Panamanian villages. To raise funds for this effort the Rotaractors are holding a fundraiser, “Get Happy for a Cause,” on Wednesday, April, 21, 7 -9 p.m. at Novecento, 112Alhambra Plaza, in Coral Gables. A $15 donation gets you two drink tickets and complimentary appetizers.
Calling all soccer players of all ages and skill levels. Join the fun at Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest for South Florida’s first charity soccer marathon on Sunday, May 2, noon – 6 p.m. The Pinecrest Soccer Marathon, to benefit the programs and initiatives of the Community Foundation of Pinecrest, promises something for all, even if you just want to come out to sample the food and check out the activities. Norwegian Cruise Lines has generously donated a 3-4 day cruise that will be raffled off as well. All those who register will be entered for a chance to win this fabulous prize and many others. Individual registration is $20 and teams are $200 for up to ten players. For more information go online to www.cfofp.org/soccer or call PierreApollon at 305-609-4872.
Until next week, keep making each day count. Gloria Burns is Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Pinecrest, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization, as well as a columnist for Community Newspapers. Keeping abreast of community activities is a challenge. If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com .
