Everybody deserves a hero. Broward House and its clients have 9 this April and May. In its inaugural year, 9 community members have agreed to serve Broward House as Hope’s Heroes. While heroes do many things, these 9 individuals have agreed to raise funds in a variety of ways to support the much needed services at Broward House. The represent a variety of industries and experiences, and many have a strong connection to HIV/AIDS. We are extremely grateful to these men and women, who have chosen to carry the message of Broward House into the community.

In exchange for their fundraising efforts, stay tuned for the many publicity opportunities where they will be featured. Thanks to our media partners (The Sun Sentinel, Go River Walk, Florida Bites, COAST FM), the story of Broward House and its heroes will be displayed throughout South Florida.

We would like for you to get to know our heroes. Here’s a short description of the 9 men and women who are here to make a difference.

Christine Hansen Century 21 Hansen Realty Christine Hansen is the Broker/Owner of Century 21 Hansen Realty which has 5 offices in Broward County. The company has served the South Florida community continuously since 1977. Christine is Past President of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale. She has served as a Director of the Florida Association of Realtors since 2002 and the National Association of Realtors as a Director since 2005. A Broward resident since the age of 2, Christine lives in Lighthouse Point and enjoys riding her motorcycle and scuba diving, both of which she and her partner Hendi Kaf have done here and in many locations across the world.

Rachel Haratz Brilliant Innovations Rachel was born, raised, and educated in Brazil.  In April 2000 she moved to South Florida to start her life over. Over the past 8 years, Rachel has learned how to survive in a different culture, language and many other aspects of life.  Three years ago Rachel established Brilliant Innovations, a web applications company, as a Senior Systems Analyst. During this time she got involved with several GLBT organizations because she wanted to join in their efforts to improve the lives of others.  My interest and involvement in these various causes grew so much, that a year ago, I launched TheGLBT.com, which is a website established to provide information and support as a search engine inside the GLBT community. “People that are in need, struggling to survive, they are the real heroes. There are so many things that we can do to help! Join us to support Broward House an amazing organization doing a spectacular job helping HIV/AIDS brothers and sisters. The more you give, the more space you open to receive” – Together we can make a difference!”

Chad Thilborger Florida Red & Blue With more than 10 years of experience helping nonprofits and institutions meet their fundraising goals, Chad currently serves as Regional Finance Director for Florida Red and Blue/Say No 2, the statewide bipartisan campaign fighting the Marriage Protection Amendment. A Florida resident for the past four years, Chad's personal philosophy is to give back to the community. "It's in all of our interests to promote and support the organizations that serve our community. You never know when you're going to need their help."

Douglas Tinklepaugh Pinnacle Constructors, LLC Doug moved to Fort Lauderdale from Buffalo, New Your 2.5 years ago. He is the President of Pinnacle Constructors, LLC. This is a full service building contractor focused on commercial interior build-out projects, specializing in dental and medical facilities. Although Doug has only been here for a little over two years, he has a variety of friends in the area who have already started supporting his role as a Hope’s Hero.

Carol Moran New Moon “You have no way of knowing how or when all the things you do will come back to you. What you can know is that they will. You never know exactly how life will reflect back the face you present to it. Yet eventually, and quite faithfully, it does come back to you. The value that you put into life becomes the value that you experience from life. The more love you give, the more love you are able to know. Your words do not end when you speak them, and your actions do not stop when you've completed them. They go out into life and begin connecting you with the people, circumstances and things that resonate with those words and actions of yours. Live as though the things you do, in one way or another, will come back to you.

Morgan Carnicorm Diplomat Speciality Pharmacy Morgan Carnicom is an Account Executive for Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy. Diplomat specializes in providing free delivery of medication, adherence packaging, automatic refills, etc. for people living with HIV/AIDS. Morgan is also pursuing her MBA in the Executive MBA program at Florida Atlantic University during the weekends. In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading, working out, traveling, playing with her two dogs Pixie and Capone, spending time with friends and her boyfriend, Mike, and enjoying events and weather of South Florida.

Tracy Black The Chef's Table Tracy Black has been in the hospitality industry over 25 year, moving to south Florida from Chicago 13 years ago. She joined The Chef’s Table five years ago and is now co- owner of a highly successful off premise catering company and new restaurant, Table Ten Fort Lauderdale, serving Gourmet Comfort Food. Tracy feels strongly about local charity work, personally and professionally. “Charity work is an important component in life, if each person gave back imagine how much good we could all do to help others less fortunate”. She is pleased to be included in the fantastic group of local honorees for Spirit of Hope and Broward House.

	Robyn Silver Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox, Warranch and Westcott, P.A. Caught up by the excitement at the Heroe’s kickoff, Robyn decided that night that she wanted to join in the fun! Robyn works for Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox, Warranch and Westcott, P.A.

Ron Duron UPS Ron Duron has lived in Ft Lauderdale since 1984 and is originally from Irving, Texas.  He graduated from University of Texas at Arlington and received a bachelor's degree in Marketing.  While he was in high school and college he wanted to make a difference by doing volunteer work, which he did a lot of. Ron played tennis in high school and received a tennis scholarship at Kilgore Junior College.  He has been playing with the gay tennis club in Ft Lauderdale, the South Florida Tennis Club for the last 15 years.  Ron has worked at UPS as a package driver for 21 years and is the safety co-chairman at the Ft Lauderdale Center.  He has been a volunteer with Broward House for 13 years.  Ron lives by the following two sayings. “Let's get involved in our community and make a difference and learn to appreciate the things we take for granted and help others that are less fortunate.”

	Thank you to these amazing members of the community, who have pledged to make a difference. Special thanks also to www.bocaraton.com, the Sun Sentinel, Go River Walk and Coast FM.

 

 

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