SURFSIDE STARS
Surfside Cancer Survivor Gives Back to Children Struggling with Treatment
You may have never heard of Buddy Brave, Bestie Brave or Catie Cuddles. But there are hundreds of children and young adults struggling through cancer chemotherapy who have had their lives brightened by these colorful superhero dolls created by long-time Surfside resident Rosanna Hope Bernstein. Herself a leukemia survivor since 1998, Rosanna has recently focused her creative talents in the design and distribution of her Bee Brave Buddies and gifting them to children undergoing chemotherapy in pediatric oncology hospitals nation-wide. This past year, Bee Brave Buddies received nonprofit status and now Rosanna hopes to reach out to even more children. “Any family or friend of a child battling cancer can nominate a child on our website to receive a doll as a gift,” she said. Many of the dolls have gone to children at South Florida hospitals, such as Baptist, Holtz Children’s Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Broward Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s in West Palm Beach. “My goal is to provide emotional support to the children. The bald dolls help the children identify with the loss of hair. I have even sent dolls to children of adults
who are fighting cancer.” Rosanna is hoping to expand Bee Brave Buddies to other items, such as blankets and pillows and perhaps a children’s book about cancer treatment. “I know how hard the treatment can be on the body and spirit,” she said. Rosanna and her family have deep roots in Surfside. In 1954, her grandparents built the Biscaya Drive home where she lives. “I had such fond memories of visiting them when I was young. When they passed away, my husband and I bought the house, keeping it in the family.” Rosanna’s husband is an orthopedic doctor on staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital. They have three grown daughters all with ties to South Florida. Anyone interested in supporting Bee Brave Buddies should visit the website, www.beebravebuddies.com. Bee Brave Buddies of the Month can help pay for the shipping of dolls to hospitals caring for sick children. “I’m grateful to give back to others who are experiencing the struggles of cancer,” she said.
PUBLIC WORKS
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off at Town Hall on May 20 Residents are encouraged to bring hazardous waste products to the Public Works Department on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hazardous materials will be collected on this day ONLY and residents must follow these guidelines: • All materials must be sealed tightly and properly to avoid any spills. • All material that is loose (i.e. batteries) must be bagged. • All bio-hazardous waste/medical waste (sharps) must be secured and shall be placed into the sharps container by the resident disposing it.
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Public Works staff reserves the right to refuse items if the guidelines are not followed. Public works staff will assist but will not handle any incoming materials. These will be accepted: anti-freeze, household chemicals or fertilizers, propane tanks, paint and paint thinner, household pesticides, batteries, pool chemicals and used motor oil. These items will not be accepted: mercury thermostats/ thermometers or devices/items containing mercury, medicine/pharmaceutical waste. For ammunition of any type, contact Surfside Police at 305-861-4862. For more information, contact Public Works at 305-861-4863. SURFSIDE GAZETTE MAY 2017