1/09 Breakfast Raises $57,000 A fundraising breakfast, themed “New Beginnings at the Starting Place,” raised more than $57,000 to assist in rebuilding of The Starting Place, Inc., an organization which helps thousands of adolescents every year who are affected by substance abuse and behavioral health issues. The amount raised was well beyond the projected fundraising goal, according to Nancy Merolla, Chief Executive Officer of The Starting Place. “The community came out to support us in a big way,” said Merolla. “Our breakfast was sold out, and the community leaders in attendance really understood and responded to the important work we do in this community – work that started nearly 40 years ago and will continue into the future.” At the event, Bridgette and Jeffrey Sternshein offered a tear-jerking description of the help their son received from The Starting Place. Starting Place professionals diagnosed the suicidal teen with bipolar disorder, which prompted substance abuse issues. Today, their son is on the road to recovery. Another speaker, Peter Henn, Vice President of Development for LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels which operates Bahia Mar and served as the presenting sponsor of the breakfast, emotionally shared his story as well. “Twenty-five years ago, I was in a halfway house in Fort Lauderdale dealing with drug and alcohol issues,” said Henn. “I’m grateful for the help I received, and I must say that I’m where I am today because of the agencies and services that pulled me through. This is why I am so committed to assisting others toward recovery.” “(The Starting Place) is about taking people as they are and giving them the supports they need to help them be more than they can be,” added George Sheldon, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary. Secretary Sheldon was joined at the podium by General Bob Butterworth and Senator Nan Rich, who also offered words of support for The Starting Place. Broward County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin also was scheduled to speak, but had to cancel due to a family illness. The breakfast was hosted thanks to the generous presenting sponsorship of LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels at the Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale. LXR’s support of The Starting Place’s nearly 40-year legacy parallels its development efforts at the 40-year old Bahia Mar, slated to include a new Waldorf=Astoria™ hotel, restaurants, shops, residences and a large waterfront park called “Bahia Mar Park,” which will serve as the permanent home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. “While it’s most important to take the mission of the agency to heart, we also are pleased to be a good corporate partner,” added Henn. “Because the rebuilding of The Starting Place coincides with the redevelopment of Bahia Mar Park, it really is a great partnership and we’re proud to be able to support this important organization.” In addition to LXR, other sponsors of the “New Beginnings At The Starting Place” event were BankAtlantic, Broward Health, Cindy Schutt, PR, Community Bank of Broward, Downtown Photo, Eli Lilly & Company, Florida Certification Board, Health Business Solutions, Jato Design, Lawyer’s 1st Title, Leslie J. Backus Public Relations, Maroone, an AutoNation Company, Memorial Healthcare System, Mental Health Association of Broward County, Miller Wiggin Financial Planning, Prudential 1st FL Realty and Republic Services, Inc. “We are continuing to provide our clients and their families with therapeutic outpatient services to include prevention, intervention programs, rehabilitative and educational counseling,” said Merolla. “At the same time, we are actively engaged in rebuilding our organization and making it stronger than ever, so that it can continue to do the most good.”
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