What a wonderful party. It brightened the lives of the many children being raised by their grandparents and other relatives… and was fun for the adults as well. Jill Arbogast, Program Director at the Nan Knox Boy's and Girls Club, referring to the free holiday party that Forever Family Bella's Group held recently. The event was underwritten in part by philanthropist Linda von Allmen, the Glazer family and Andrew and Luann Alorro, owners of Tease Salon on Las Olas, whose customers donated more than 200 toys for the children.
Special guest Steven Grotowski, a beach volleyball champion who competed in the 2012 Olympics has on hand to teach the children some volleyball skills, and of course Santa Clause was there!
Broward Health, Vista, Kids in Distress, Broward Health/Kinship Cares Initiative, Holy Cross Hospital/Community Outreach, Legal Aid Services of Broward/Kinship Project, the Pantry of Broward and Children Services of Broward County offered resources for the adults.
| Linda von Allmen, Gia Tutalo-Mote with her daughter Gigi and Christopher and Lillian Vitigliano |
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| Coach Cornelius Hibersham, with brothers Markell and Michael Mccray and Steven Grotowski | Gabriella, Drs. Ira and Marietta and Isabella Glazer with Santa | Jenna Stephany, Susan Greaton, look on as Torien Woodard and William Johnson play pool along with Jill Arbogast |
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| (Seated) Kathleen Sobczak, RN, and Jahmeeldah Rahming, with (Standing) Cynthia Durizil, Janet Jones, Andrew Leone and Kathleen K. Pena, Esq. |
“Bella’s Group” is a non-profit organization and part of Forever Family. It was created to support children who are being raised by grandparents and other relatives-The group sponsors 4 parties a year-free for the children and adults and provides emotional support with the focus on having fun. The parties bring children and their relatives raising them together, to socialize and share positive experiences.
While the children play-the caregivers can chat-share experiences and received support and information regarding the resources available to them.
The concept was the brain child of Isabella Glazer who along with her sister Gabriella have been adopted by their grandparents.
In photo: Gia Tutalo-Mote with Giacinta Mote and Rebecca and Babette Kosar and Kevin Lane
“Dear Bella’s Group:
Thank you so much for the 50 Bella bags you made up – today we had 2 children come to our facility who were very hungry. When the children saw your bags, their faces lit up. After they ate, they were ready to play. When a child is hungry, they are sad, and do not want to do much. You made 2 children very happy today. Thank you for sharing your snacks with our children. You are not only sharing food – you are sharing warm and caring feelings which they will carry with them for a long time.”Letter from a Department Manager at Women in Distress
1000 plus Women of the Year Luncheon
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| 1000 plus Women of the Year Luncheon-Susan Greaton Honored for her work with Forever Family Bella's Group | |
Family Fun Day
The Nan Knox Boys and Girls Club along with Bella’s Group are hosting a Family Fun Day. Nan Knox Boys and Girls Club
members and Bella’s Group along with grandparents will have an opportunity to spend a day filled with exciting activities, festivities and food here at the Nan Knox Unit. Our staff along with Bella’s group thought this would be a great opportunity for kids and grandparents to bond and gets an on hand experience in reference to our activities here at the club. The Family Fun Day will be held at the Nan Knox Boys and Girls Club at 832 NW 2nd Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33111. On Saturday, June 4, 2011 starting at 12noon to 3:00pm.
This is our next event: RSVP with Mrs. Marietta (954) 893-8240
Miluilu@bellsouth.net OR Ms. Esther (954) 463-8933 at
eswinton@bgcbc.org
Bella's Group Backpack project was a success!
The group is different because it involves play-and fun so the kids can interact, socialize and share positive experiences.
Parties have include trips to the bowling alley-skating rinks –swimming parties and the next one will be held on April 18th from 11-1 at the Humane Society of Broward-the children will say “Happy Birthday to the Animals with puppy play time-arts and crafts-pizzas and birthday cake.
Service has been made possible by donations made to Forever Family and earmarked for Bella’s Group.
For more info call 954-893-8240
Or email: miluilu@bellsouth.net
‘Bella’s Group’ Reflects On First Year’s Success…
And Plans Birthday Party At Humane Society of Broward
Two determined young girls, Isabella and Gabriella Glazer, are planning their first party of 2010, while reflecting on a very successful first year of creating, nurturing and growing their support group and being formally adopted by Dr.’s Marietta and Ira Glazer! What stated as an idea to help other children being raised by relatives that are not their parents, has blossomed as a dynamic organization that is helping some of the 35,000 children in Broward County in similar circumstances to network and enjoy free parties. These events have brought grandparents together as well to share, receive support along with resources while the children are playing.
In the past few months, two memorable events took place. One was a wonderful party at the Young at Art Children’s Museum in Davie, Florida, which was underwritten in part by B.J. Buntrock, Susan Greaton, Dagmar Lindner and Anna Rua. Celebrating 20 years of creative excellence, the Mission of Young At Art Children's Museum is to provide hands-on cultural, educational and arts experiences for youth that awaken their creativity in a fun and exciting environment, according to Founder/Director Mindy Shrago. The Museum lived up to that Mission!
“The kids did arts and crafts, took tours the museum, enjoyed pizza and each got a stuffed animal,” Dr. Marietta Glazer explained. At every party, children are asked to bring canned goods for The Pantry of Broward, helping the organization feed the less fortunate and instilling in each child a strong desire to have a spirit of giving.
Later that month, Valerie and Paul De Bianchi opened their waterfront home for a Winterfest Boat Parade Party Fundraiser. In addition to benefiting Bella’s Group, Forever Family and The Pantry of Broward shared in the close to $2,000.00 raised.
“It was really fun,” enthused Isabella. “We were so close to the yachts and boats, we could almost touch them.” The spectacle of the elaborately decorated boats, many with music blaring combined with a dinner buffet, offered the children and adults a memorable evening.
Not content to rest on their laurels… and to get the New Year started with a bang,there was a birthday celebration for Bella’s Group at the Humane Society of Broward County. The theme is a party for the animals! The party room will be decorated with balloons and banners and colorful table covers along with a cute cake with paw prints on it that says “Bella’s Group Says Happy Birthday to the Animals!” The kids will decorate dog bowls and do Puppy/Doggie Playtime and take a tour of the shelter. They will eat pizza and have soft drinks. “Our mascot Digger will pay a special visit,” said Carrie Neff, Humane Education Coordinator.
It was through the help of friends of the Glazer’s and the Children’s Services Council Broward County, Handy, Kids In Distress, NBC 6 Forever Family and other community partners, Bella’s Group was formed and many kinship providers are now receiving the support they need and deserve. Through the generous donations of families and foundations, all the events are free for the children and their families. Bella’s Group is an outreach of Forever Family.
To sponsor an event or join the group, call 1-888-365-FAMILY. To make donations, send to: Forever Family – Bella’s Group, 24 S.E. 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301 or visit www.foreverfamily.net/bellasgroup.html.
