Rainbow Sports League of Fort Lauderdale, the largest LGBTQ+ sports league in South Florida, has a proud history of giving back to the community. This winter they organized their 250+ kickball players to purchase and collect nearly 30,000 new items to help support Broward House’s mission of improving the lives of individuals impacted by chronic health challenges, including HIV and drug and alcohol dependency.
Ranging from toiletries to bed linens and clothing, Rainbow Sports League has donated over $55,000 worth of these items that Broward House assembles into Dignity Baskets. These baskets are given to anyone coming to them in need of transitional housing so they will feel safe, loved, and given a 2nd chance of life, with dignity.
“What really touched me,” said Rainbow Sports League Commissioner Alex Plaza, “was that every one of our teams participated. Our players really came through for such a worthy cause. This incredible effort was spearheaded by our Philanthropic Director, Timm Keating, whose dedication made it all possible.”
Victoria Walter, Community Relations Manager at Broward House, expressed her gratitude: “We went from bare shelves to filling two storage rooms with valuable goods, all thanks to the hard work and generosity of Rainbow’s kickball players. We can’t thank them enough.”
Rainbow League’s sponsors were also an integral part in the success of this program, including Pause Studio Ftl, Mr. M’s Sandwich Shop, No Manors Bar & Lounge, Cajun Bear AC Repair & Gym Sportsbar.
ABOUT RAINBOW SPORTS LEAGUE
Rainbow Sports League was founded in 2017 with the philosophy that all people are welcome to participate in sports and activities in a safe, social, and inclusive environment. Currently the largest LGBTQ+ sports organization in South Florida, they offer programming 6 days a week with Kickball, Pickleball, Volleyball, and Soccer this spring, and expanding to Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, and more this summer. All skill levels are welcome.
www.RainbowSportsLeague.com
ABOUT BROWARD HOUSE
Broward House is the oldest and largest provider of housing and only substance use treatment center in Broward County specifically for people living with HIV. Broward House was founded in 1988, during the peak of the AIDS epidemic, as a hospice for terminally ill, uninsured AIDS patients who were often suffering from extreme poverty. Today, we operate a 74-bed transitional housing facility with 24-hour medical support and an onsite substance use treatment program for uninsured persons living with HIV. In addition, Broward House owns and operates 10 apartment buildings comprising of 72 units of affordable rental housing and manages rental subsidy vouchers for over 80 participants. Our goal is to support the health and stability of each individual who walks through our door with a unique plan to their goals, including mental health counseling, free HIV/STI testing, medical respite care, and wrap-around case management services.
www.BrowardHouse.org
