June 2011 Family Advocate

A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries 1 7 0 0 S o u t h F l a m i n g o R o a d • D a v i e , F L 3 3 3 2 5 • ( 9 5 4 ) 5 8 3 - 1 5 5 2 • w w w. s h f m . o r g

June 2011

Filling in The Gap

Honoring Christ by serving the needs of children and families

A Note From Bob Filling in The Gap For many children, Father’s Day is a day of fun and celebration. It is a day designed for kids to acknowledge their dad and the impact he has made in their lives.

Teacher Appreciation

However, there are many kids that aren’t fortunate enough to have a dad to celebrate. Many of the children we serve don’t have a dad that is actively involved in their lives. So, Father’s Day is a tough day for them.

It is a source of pain rather than pride. That’s where Sheridan House steps in to fill in some of the gap.

We know we can’t physically fill their void, but we reach out and do some of the things dads typically do. For instance, it was my dad who taught me how to play sports and how to make things with my hands. He’s the one who taught me the pride of fixing things with tools.

My dad also taught me how to treat my mom and others around me with respect.

That’s what Sheridan House does for kids. Our goal is to fill in then gap as much as we can and then introduce the kids we serve to the Father that will always be there for them.

This month, we have attached a separate envelope for you to join us in a Father’s Day Offering.

It is an opportunity for us to offer hope to these boys and girls by showing them that we care; but more importantly, that our Heavenly Father cares and promises to meet their needs.

Together we can make a difference in their lives as we not only provide for them, but also pray for them to become the young men and ladies God has designed them to be.

Serving Him,

Our girls huddle together proudly to welcome the Walter C. Young teachers and faculty with a smile.

With excitement and joy, the Sheridan House residential program girls decorated the teacher’s lounge at Walter C. Young Middle School to show their tremendous appreciation for a great school year. The theme for the event was a Mexican Fiesta and the food was generously provided by Lime Fresh Mexican Grill of Pembroke Gardens.

Every school employee was invited to this special luncheon and was served by the girls in an effort to thank them for all of the work that they do day-in and day-out. “All of our girls couldn’t stop smiling. They loved the fact that the teachers, cafeteria workers, administrators and office staff were having such a good time.” said House Mom, Brenda Schneider. “Even though they see the Walter C. Young staff every Monday through Friday, they actually saw how many people have dedicated their lives to help them. They were truly moved.”

Continued...

The Family Values License Plate...

Join Us in Driving Family Values Home!

The teachers and faculty enjoyed and appreciated the luncheon as well. Juliana Guevara, the behavioral specialist for the girls’ program that coordinated the event, received a message the following day. “That lunch was so good! I just wanted you all to know that we appreciate you all right back. Later that day, I prayed for all of the girls to one day know the Lord and His purpose for them. I also prayed for you and the house parents…for your continued wisdom, strength, excitement and creativity for all you do. You all are making a difference in the lives of the kids and their families.”

Thank you to all of the middle-school teachers we work with and to teachers all across America. We are grateful for you and for your passion to educate the next generation of leaders.

The $25 specialty plate fee is tax-deductible and directly helps the children and families served daily by Sheridan House Family Ministries.

familyvaluestag.com

Spring Auction Wrap-Up On Friday, May 13th, we hosted the 31st Annual Sheridan House Spring Auction in the Global Events Center thanks to the graciousness of First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. As it has been the case for so many years, the evening was full of laughter, celebration, and fundraising. With 220 people in attendance and over $52,000 raised, the evening was a blessing for the children and families that we minister to each and every day.

During this year’s live auction, we witnessed something new and exciting.

Each summer, we have a special program for our residential boys and girls.

It is full of academic, athletic, cultural, trade training, and service project activities, as well as, family-fun recreation like fishing and picnicking together. When summer ends, we take a special trip like some families do. The boys go camping and the girls tour Florida.

As with many things, when the funding is not available, something like this can get cut from the budget as it did last year. For the first time, we offered everyone in attendance the opportunity to help support a child for the summer program by donating $250. As soon as the auctioneer started to ask for bidders, paddles all across the room started flying up…it was amazing!

Within a matter of minutes, $16,750 was donated. It was one of the most encouraging acts of giving the Sheridan House staff has ever experienced.

Most auction events are designed for people to come, bid, and buy things; but at this auction, the hottest item up for bid was an opportunity to sacrificially give so the residential children could enjoy our Summer Enrichment Program.

Paddles go up all across the rom as people “bid” to sponsor children in the Sheridan House Summer Enrichment Program.

We are so grateful to everyone in attendance, as well as, our very generous auction item donors. We want to thank our sponsors: ValleyCrest Landscaping Companies for donating our beautiful bonsai tree centerpieces, The Iten Agency and Roseann Kozma for underwriting auction needs, and Ulises and Carol Garcia of Milano Jewelers for creatively helping our attendees turn their unused gold and jewelry into cash for them to use during the evening as they bid on their favorite items. Of course, we also want thank our hard-working Spring Auction Committee and volunteers. This event would not have been possible without all of you.

It was a great night for Sheridan House. More significantly, it was a great night for our children. It was a phenomenal display of investing in a child.

We are blessed to report that people are still contacting us to help support a child for this summer program.

She

use

an H ridSince 1968 o

Family

Sheridan House Family Ministries 1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • shfm.org

Ministries

Basic Items Needed: 2 solid color Spiral Notebooks 2 Composition books Loose leaf paper (college ruled) 3-ring binder (1 inch) Packet of 3-ring index Dividers 4 solid color Duo-tang folders 2 blue ball-point pens 2 red ball-point pens 2 black ball-point pens

Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Sheridan House Family Ministries registration number is CH24786.

Packet #2 pencils Pencil sharpener Pencil eraser 2 Highlighters Packet of colored pencils

You can help an underprivileged child get ready for school!

Packet of colored markers

With your donation of $30, each child will receive the supplies necessary to start the school year off right.

If you are interested in “Filling a Pack,” please see the list to the right or contact Miriam Duame at mduame@sheridanhouse.org for more information.

All supplies are needed by Friday, July 29, 2011.

Thanks for making a difference in the life of a child in need!

Join us in supporting children & families!

The 2011 Hooked on Kids Charity Fishing Tournament Wednesday, October 19 - Captain’s Party 6:00pm Thursday, October 20 - Tournament 7:00am - 7:00pm

Westshore Yacht Club 6001 South Westshore Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33616

Contact Lori Edens at: ledens@bbiteam.com 954-983-4360