FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          CONTACT:  John Aquino (954) 298-0747

11TH ANNUAL PROFILES OF EXCELLENCE GALA
PARISIAN ADVENTURE RAISES OVER $150,000
FOR HENDERSON MENTAL HEALTH CENTER

Fort Lauderdale, FL – The theme of the evening was “Paris – The City of Lights,” but the guests who danced by the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower were intent on raising money for South Florida residents who need mental health care. Henderson Mental Health Center’s 11th Annual Profiles of Excellence Gala raised over $150,000 that will be used to provide vital mental health services to children, adults and families.

“The community really came together for us tonight,” said Dr. Steven Ronik, CEO of Henderson Mental Health Center, South Florida’s oldest and largest not-for-profit, behavioral healthcare provider. “Our goal is to help our clients live healthy and productive lives, and the funds raised will help ensure that we can continue to supply essential services. We provide over 600,000 services to over 20,000 clients every year.”

Nearly 300 guests who attended the event had the opportunity to bid on silent auction items that included a VIP tour of the Miami Dolphins Training Camp, a week’s stay in Vail, court-side Heat tickets, a Key West get-away and an autographed Shaquille O'Neal basketball.

Some of Henderson’s more recent challenges and successes arose as a result of Hurricane Wilma, when families were unable to cope with the loss of their homes and their jobs. Henderson staff members provided crisis counseling to individuals at its facilities as well as through its mobile crisis unit. Henderson has also been assisting formerly homeless individuals transition to independent living at its new adult residential facility, the Chalet Apartments in Hollywood.

Henderson Mental Health Center operates in various locations throughout Broward County. Since 1953, the organization has provided a variety of services to the community, including crisis outreach, residential living, employment assistance, outpatient treatment and rehabilitation, youth and family programs. For more information or assistance, call Karen Drumheller, Director of Development, at (954) 777-1624 or log onto www.hendersonmhc.org.

 

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