FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE CONTACT: Karen Drumheller (954) 777-1624
MEDIA
ALERT
12TH ANNUAL PROFILES OF EXCELLENCE
GALA
RAISES OVER $150,000 FOR
HENDERSON MENTAL
HEALTH CENTER
Click
here for photos!
Fort
Lauderdale, FL - The year's
gala event for Henderson
Mental
Health
Center
took its guests to the Grecian Isles, complete
with belly dances, traditional Greek folk dancing,
and a splendid Mediterranean menu - all for
the purpose of raising funds for individuals
suffering from mental illnesses.
Henderson
Mental Health
Center's
12th 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
Richard & Susan B. Weil Foundation and the
Sun-Sentinel Children's Fund were the recipients
of this year's Profiles of Excellence Awards. The Weil Charitable Foundation has provided
an annual gift to Henderson
since its creation in 1997.
Through their trust agreement, Mr. and
Mrs. Weil provided a means to support this organization's
programs and will continue to do so for years
to come through their estate gift.
Mr. Harry Schwenke, trustee for the Foundation,
was in attendance on behalf of the Weil Charitable
Foundation.
Ms. Danay Torano accepted the Profiles
of Excellence Award on behalf of the Sun-Sentinel
Children's Fund.
This fund has been an important financial
source for Henderson's
Youth and Family Services since 1998.
Over these years, it has provided support
groups for neglected foster children, purchased
holiday gifts and food baskets for hundreds
of young clients and their families, funded
their annual multi-cultural holiday celebration
for their diverse population of clients, and
enhanced their case management program.
The
Gala Chairs for the evening were Benjamin and
Carol Harrison and Liz Wood are dedicated supporters
of Henderson
Mental
Health
Center
and avidly promoted the event to their friends
throughout the community. Major sponsors included Lorraine Thomas, Mary
Porter, Ben and Carol Harrison, the Leo Goodwin
Foundation, SunTrust Bank, and South Florida
Business Journal.
The 300 guests who attended the event
had the opportunity to bid on many silent auction
packages and take part in an exciting raffle
for a 7-night cruise donated by Royal Caribbean
International.
"This
event is a great way to reach out to the community
and make them more aware of the challenges we
face in the mental healthcare are while having
a fun evening with so many wonderful people
who support our mission," said Dr. Steven Ronik,
CEO of Henderson Mental Health Center, South
Florida's oldest and largest not-for-profit,
behavioral healthcare provider.
"Each year, we provide over 600,000 services
to over 20,000 clients.
Our responsibility to those who seek
our help becomes more important than ever considering
Florida is one of the lowest states in the nation
in regards to per capita spending in the area
of mental health."
Henderson
staff members provided crisis counseling to
individuals at its many convenient facilities
as well as through its mobile crisis units. Henderson Mental Health Center operates in various
locations throughout Broward County and recently
has expanded into Palm Beach 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 on how you can support Henderson
Mental Health Center, call Karen Drumheller,
Director of Development, at (954) 777-1624. If you have a family member or friend that needs
Henderson Mental Health Center's help, call
(954) 463-0911 or log onto www.hendersonmhc.org
for information about our services and facilities.
# # #
Click
here for photos!


updated
04/16/07