Heart Gallery of Broward County Honored Christine Frederick As Child Advocate of the Year

More than 250 foodies dined, danced and donated to support Heart Gallery of Broward County during this year’s “Eat Your Heart Out” fundraiser presented by BBI on September 25 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. The signature event raised more than $40,000 for the Heart Gallery of Broward County’s promotion of adoption and enrichment programs for Broward’s foster youth.

Guests enjoyed gourmet bites, decadent desserts and tasteful pours from top restaurants including Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale, The Capital Grille, Dom Caruso’s Cucina, Gulf Stream Distillery, Il Mulino, Kaluz, Nothing Bundt Cakes, P.F. Chang’s, Sicilian Oven, Southport Raw Bar, Red Chair Catering, Seasons 52, South Bar and Kitchen, Spice n’ Vybe, Sunness Supper Club, Sweeter Days Bake Shop, Tasteful Thoughts and Todd’s Catering. Attendees also previewed fashion trends from Dillard’s pop-up shop and participated in raffle drawings and a silent auction with unique experiences and luxury prizes including jewelry from Daoud’s Fine Jewelry and a Golden Hour Glam package from V/O MedSpa.

Christine Frederick, present CEO of The Lord’s Place and past CEO of FLITE Center, was honored as the 2025 Child Advocate of the Year for her 20+ years of progressive leadership in nonprofit and social impact organizations and her passion for helping individuals most in need. Local 10’s Eric Yutzy, Heart Gallery of Broward County’s Executive Director Dr. Mary Kinirons, BBI CEO Robert Taylor and Heart Gallery of Broward County’s Board Chair Eleni Varvoutis presented Frederick with a custom art glass heart award.

The Heart Gallery of Broward County launched in 2007 as a traveling photography exhibit of foster youth awaiting adoption and has since evolved to provide innovative programs that recruit adoptive families, enrich foster youth lives, and support adoptive families through community partnerships. This event is the organization’s largest and most successful fundraiser.

This year’s celebration of community, compassion and connection was supported by presenting sponsor BBI, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Capital Advisors, Advanced Roofing, Banesco, Locality Bank, OutClique, Brizaga, Danto Builders, Walter Duke + Partners, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, Robbins & Moroney, P.A., City & Shore magazine, GPR | Goodman Public Relations and Local 10 News.

To learn more about Heart Gallery of Broward County or to donate, call (954) 918-3008 or emailmary@heartgalleryofbroward.org.

The Heart Gallery of Broward County, one of over 100 independent Heart Galleries nationwide, is a respected nonprofit with a mission to provide innovative programs that help to promote the adoption and enrichment of Broward’s foster youth. Established in October 2006, the Heart Gallery of Broward began as a traveling photography exhibit showcasing foster children awaiting adoption, featuring professional photographs and personal biography cards to highlight their personalities. Today, the gallery has transitioned to an online format to further the protection of our youth. The organization’s outreach efforts focus on adoption education and recruitment with three main program pillars: Finding Forever Families, recruiting adoptive families through community events and educational outreach; Youth Enrichment, enhancing the lives of foster youth with programs like Birthday Buddy, Back-to-School Shopping Spree, holiday parties and community outings lovingly called Heart Days and the WE CARE program, providing resources and support through community partnerships to address the needs of adoptive families and prevent adoption breakdowns. Since its inception, Heart Gallery has helped place over 500 children in loving, permanent homes. For more information or to adopt, volunteer, or donate, please visitheartgalleryofbroward.org.