June 22nd
BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, announced today it has teamed up with Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano, Jeanette Sparano and Tony Segreto, and will sponsor “Meatballs & Martinis Night” benefiting Forever Family® and foster care children.
“BankAtlantic is very proud to sponsor ‘Meatballs & Martinis Night’ benefiting Forever Family® and foster care children and we hope you’ll join us on June 22nd.”
Forever Family is a local non-profit organization with a focused mission. The organization works to get children in foster care adopted by recruiting loving foster families, mentors and volunteers. Forever Family also raises funds and critical assistance for families adopting medically needy children and teens ‘aging out’ of foster care at age 18. Forever Family’s Bella’s Group program assists grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship families. Forever Family was the only media program to receive the United States Department of Health and Human Services 2010 ‘Adoption Excellence Award’ from the Obama Administration.
Through partnerships with mass media, child welfare organizations, government entities and the private sector, Forever Family has created a unique public/private network to raise awareness and change perceptions about children and teens in the foster care system. Each week Forever Family news stories and promotions on NBC Miami reach, on-average, more than two hundred thousand local viewers with a positive message about who children in foster care are and why they so desperately need our help. Forever Family also airs around the state of Florida on ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates with approximately 40 million viewer impressions annually. The Children’s Services Council of Broward County underwrites local production costs and all statewide media time is donated. Forever Family has also received a grant from the United States Department of Justice for its statewide programming.
“Children and teens in foster care have done nothing wrong. With no family to care for them, they are virtually alone in this world,” commented Founder of Forever Family, Gia Tutalo-Mote. “This year we’ve helped hundreds of children in their search for loving families but thousands more are still waiting. Together we can change that and bring hope to these children. We sincerely appreciate BankAtlantic’s love and support of these most vulnerable children- children without moms, dads or families of their own.”
“Family is the single most important thing in our lives. Any chance we have to give that gift to children who so richly deserve it is an honor and we feel blessed to be part of Forever Family, an organization whose sole purpose is to help children find a family of their own to love and grow with…..forever,” said Forever Family Board Member, Jeanette Sparano.
Tony Segreto, an Advisory Board member of BankAtlantic and also a Forever Family Board Member, commented, “Helping our children who want nothing more than to embrace a family is a wonderfully gratifying experience. Forever Family has over the years been able to find loving homes for so many children, to keep their dream alive. I am proud to be a part of this extraordinary organization. Please help to raise much needed awareness and funds and join Coach Tony Sparano, Jeanette Sparano, me and many, many more at Meatballs & Martinis Night.”
You’re Invited to Meatballs & Martinis Night!
Join Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano, Jeanette Sparano, Tony Segreto, and more at Anthony’s Runway 84, located at 330 State Road 84, in Fort Lauderdale, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join us for a tasting of Anthony’s famous meatballs, turkey meatballs and rice balls. Your first martini is free and just $6 after that. Great food, drinks, and a fun atmosphere – all for just a $30 donation to Forever Family®. To purchase tickets online, please visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/179151.
“Calling all Dol-Fans!! Football! Meatballs (the best in town)! Martinis! What more could you want? This is going to be a great night with a tremendous amount of fun for everyone. Most importantly, the proceeds go to help the children who want a Forever Family®. We hope to see you there,” concluded Tony Segreto.
“There are thousands of children across the state of Florida and the nation who can only dream of what it feels like to be part of a family. Your donation and support are a practical way to make a significant impact not only on the lives of children in your community, but also on the community as a whole,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “BankAtlantic is very proud to sponsor ‘Meatballs & Martinis Night’ benefiting Forever Family® and foster care children and we hope you’ll join us on June 22nd.”