Welcome September 2009 - No. 35 Dear Neighbor: This month's issue of Cause An Effect is packed with good news and inspiring stories. A young man is able to continue on his path to success, and Amanda Blake is responding to treatment. A brand new solar roof is donated to a brother and sister who have dedicated their lives to helping others and a group of foster kids get to crawl around on some monster trucks. There's also valuable information for you on how to survive today's real estate market. So, read on and pay it forward to your friends and family. Lynne Cameron Executive Director Neighbors 4 Neighbors In Your Community: College Bound CBS 4 is in the community, with a story about a teenager setting quite the example for everyone in South Florida. Jean-Luc Kreitner, 18, was raised in a single parent home and at times, they struggled to make it. The 18 year old is now on a path to success thanks to so many people who have given him what they can to help him live out his dream. Kreitner better get used to folding his own laundry because he is off to college. "I was excited my mind was blown," said Kreitner as he folded laundry in his room at his home in Davie where he lives with his mother and younger brother. The young man graduated Thomas Aquinas with a 4.5 Grade point average and a good attitude. The acceptance into Northwestern University means a lot to him. "It means I worked pretty hard to get here. I am excited to start a new life in Illinois," said Kreitner who then had to think about paying for school and all the expenses that went along with living hundreds of miles away from home in a colder climate. Neighbors 4 Neighbors has donated some money to Jean-Luc Kreitner for incidentals once he is at Northwestern University. American Airlines has donated his trip home for the holidays. The Promenade at Coconut Creek has given him a $250 dollar gift certificate to buy some warm clothes for the Chicago winters. To see the story, click here. A Journey Of Hope: An Update About Amanda Blake On August 6th, The Wasie Foundation and the Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation held a fundraiser for Amanda Blake, a 15-year-old South Florida girl who suffers from osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. The goal of the event was to help the family pay for their household bills, since single dad David Blake was forced to leave his job to care for his daughter. The community, including Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, rallied behind the Blake's to raise funds in excess of $13,500. Thus far, a portion of the funds have been used to cover the Blake's rent and all their utilities for the month of August ($2,300). Without the fundraiser, the Blake's would have faced eviction and having their electricity and phone shut off. Additionally, and most importantly, the funds took Amanda and her Dad to M.D. Anderson Children's Hospital, Houston on a journey of hope. Originally, the doctor at Miami Children's Hospital had told David Blake that Amanda was terminal. TWF and JJCCF found the most recognized doctor in Osteosarcoma (rare bone cancer) research, Dr. Pete Anderson, and Amanda was on her way Sunday, August 16th to see him. Jen Klaassens, from The Wasie Foundation, traveled to Houston with Amanda and her father, and assisted them during the entire trip. The journey of hope to Houston proved to give Amanda a glimmer of encouraging news. Amanda has eight tumors on her right lung and four tumors on her left. That news did not stop Amanda from hearing the news she really wanted to hear, which was that she could go back to school on August 24th. She will receive outpatient chemotherapy every Friday for two hours, which began last week with three cycles of Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. In approximately nine weeks, her lungs will be scanned to determine a date for the much needed lung surgery. After surgery, Amanda will continue to take chemo orally for one year and every two to three months chest scans will be needed for two years. Dr. Anderson said with persistence and patience and following the aggressive game plan there is hope, but it will be a three to five year battle. Amanda has a long battle ahead, but her future looks promising with lots of hope! Everything Dr. Anderson had to say was encouraging. This little girl is remarkable. When told by her father that the reason they were in Houston was because she was labeled terminal Amanda said, "Dad I am not going anywhere and we need to go back to school shopping!" Volunteers Receive Help After Years Of Volunteering Esther and Lamar Beard are a brother and sister team that has been giving back to South Florida for years. It's something they learned from their parents. "Our parents made it affirmative to be nice to people you're not gonna be given a lot of stuff because you're a friend but just be a friend to everyone," explained Esther. It's their volunteer work with the Miami-Dade Police Department that's truly inspiring. Together they've donated more than four thousand hours of service in the past 15 years. And after so many years of giving back, some folks in the community started to realize that it was the Beards who were in need of some helping hands. "When I found out they needed help that's when I made phone calls to all of the retired officers, and people showed up to help," said Miami-Dade police Sgt. Jennifer Resko. Another thing the officers and community volunteers did was bring in new beds which is something Esther hadn't had for years. "She hasn't slept in her bed in years. She's been sleeping in a chair because her old bed had metal sticking out of it and cut her ankle, so she wouldn't sleep in it," said Sgt. Resko. Between new beds and bathrooms, what the Beards really needed was a new roof. So the officers, that they work so hard to help, made a call to Neighbors 4 Neighbors, and Neighbors contacted Advanced Roofing. "It needed a new roof, and for them to have a house and not have the money to fix it is hard," said Rob Kornahrens, President of Advanced Roofing. The new roof is not just any roof, it's solar powered, and will take the Beard's electric bill down to nothing. It's the Beard's are very excited about, "It's awesome, just awesome," said Esther. The Beard's are still in need of two A/C wall units and a water heater, if you'd like to help out this family that's dedicated their lives to helping our community, give Neighbors 4 Neighbors a call at (305) 597-4404 or visit: neighbors4neighbors.org. To see the story, click here. Deserving Kids Have A Monster Of A Time A group of deserving kids got a chance to see a monster truck show this weekend at the Bank Atlantic Center. It was a night they will remember forever. Francisco Nelson was among the 50 children at the show, who was getting a behind the scenes look at Monster Jam. Attending the program is a unique opportunity for Nelson, 20, who is transitioning out of foster care. "How do you explain that to people. You try not to, especially when you are around the school friends who may react a certain way. Sometimes you keep it to yourself. It's your private life," said Francisco Nelson. Raised by his god parents, Nelson met his mother when he was 11 years old. He went to live with her, but things didn't work out. "A year later, we transitioned to something different. We went different ways. I divorced my mother," Nelson told CBS4's Jorge Estevez. Francisco owes the tour to Neighbors 4 Neighbors who connected Monster Jam with Child Net, the lead foster care agency in Broward County. "This was a great opportunity for them to be kids and for a minute or two, and forget the circumstances of life that they find themselves in," said Emilio Benitez, President and C.E.O. of Childnet. And it was a night full of death defying stunts. "Cars, trucks, and stunts, everything is going to be exciting. I am lucky to be here," said Nelson. To see the story, click here. The United We Serve Volunteer Fair The Adrienne Arsht Center along with V will be hosting the UNITED WE SERVE VOLUNTEER Fair. Fair attendees will be invited to explore different volunteer options and interests at the recruitment tables, will enjoy performances of festive drums and horns of Bahamian junkanoo music, will attend tours of the Center and will also be offered a variety of seminars, each specific to the President's initiative as well as V. Friday, September 11, 12 PM TO 6 PM ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132 KEYNOTE SPEAKER The Honorable Carlos Alvarez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County SPECIAL GUESTS Florida Marlins Street Team and an appearance by Billy the Marlin PERFORMANCES Bahamas Junkanoo Revue of Miami and Spam Allstars FREE TOURS 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM in English and Spanish FOR MORE INFORMATION: [email protected] 4 Your Money The Neighbors 4 Neighbors phone banks have long been a lifeline for those in need during hurricane season, but over the past year, we expanded our phone bank topics to reflect the economic challenges facing South Florida. Foreclosure prevention, taxes, financial advice, credit counseling and employment are just a few of the issues that our phone banks addressed. In 2009 we've already provided free, one on one counseling for 6,500 callers. Neighbors 4 Neighbors and the CBS 4 Your Money team continue to bring you phone banks, a valuable - free - resource to help answer all of your financial questions every Monday night from 5pm-6:30pm. For the latest Neighbors 4 Neighbors phone bank topics and information, tune into CBS4 every Monday, or give us a call at 305-597-4404. 10 Tips To Survive Today's Florida Real Estate Market Buying and selling Florida short sales, foreclosures, and REOs (Real Estate Owned) are not for the faint of heart says foreclosure defense lawyer Roy Oppenheim. He regularly shares his insight with the media and now offers a Florida real estate workshop targeted at homeowners and real estate professionals looking for trusted legal direction in today's murky waters of real estate buying, selling and investing. What: Free Real Estate Buying and Selling Workshop Who: When: Where: Cost: RSVP: Homeowners and Realtors Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:00 to 7:00 PM 2500 Weston Rd Ste 404, Weston, FL 33331 Free with advanced registration To register email: [email protected] or call 954.384.6114. The workshop will be split into three strategy segments: buying Florida real estate, defending Florida foreclosures, and investors looking for opportunities. Attendees will leave with Oppenheim's Top 10 Tips to Survive in Today's Florida Real Estate Market. For example: In a recent article in the Daily Business Review about the Florida Supreme Court's foreclosure task force Oppenheim commended the task force for recommending mandatory mediation. "One of the big problems that borrowers have had is getting in touch with an intelligent human being who has authority at the bank," Oppenheim commented in the article. "Most of the time you're dealing with people just pushing paper." The 53-page report starts off by describing the Florida foreclosure crisis and recession as a massive traffic jam during rush hour, in a thunderstorm during hurricane evacuation with a lane closed due to construction. "Today you need a tough set of armor to fight the battles whether you are buying or selling Florida real estate," said Oppenheim, who has represented buyers and sellers through bust and boom markets for the past 20 years. "The red tape and unchartered territory makes this a brutal market for everyone from the court systems to the lenders to the homeowners." The Oppenheim Law workshop provides insight for homeowners on their options during real estate troubles including: foreclosure defense, Florida mortgage modification, deed-in-lieu, short sale advice, bankruptcy, deficiency judgments, and counterclaims against the banks. Hurricane Preparedness Information Hurricane season is here and we want to make sure you have your plan in place. Neighbors 4 Neighbors has outlined a few hurricane preparation tips to help you get ready. First, we urge you to gather the family and neighborhood together to have an informal discussion of your resources and vulnerabilities. Find out who has special equipment like chain saws, gas grills and generators. Who might need some assistance with shutters, food or debris removal. After a storm, neighborhoods become our central gathering places for meals and information. Having a Neighborhood Plan can make life a whole lot easier. Next, go over your Family Plan. Know who is going to do what and make sure you put all-important papers in a grab and go box. Take photos of rooms and special items you may need to show the insurance company, and back up all documents on your computer. Anyone with special needs should click here, to register right now with the Miami Dade, Broward, or Monroe County Office of Emergency Management. Now for the critters in your life. There are shelters that accept dogs and cats, but you need to register in advance. Click here, to register. Finally, for those of you who can help or need some help with all of this, both Volunteer Broward and Hands On Miami have programs that match volunteers with vulnerable citizens for hurricane preparedness and recovery. Miami Seaquarium Gives Back In these times of budget cutbacks, reduced corporate funding and dwindling donations for our community's charitable organization's, Miami Seaquarium has a way to help. 'Miami Seaquarium Gives Back' offers local charities the opportunity to generate additional funds at the same time give your supporters a discount to one of South Florida's favorite attractions. Click here, to get your 20% off coupon. 'Miami Seaquarium Gives Back' is looking for local not-for-profit organization partners to participate in this special program. Organizations will have the opportunity to offer their donors, members and friends a specially marked coupon for 20% off regular admission to the Miami Seaquarium. For each admission, Miami Seaquarium will donate $5 to the participating organization. If your organization would like to participate, click here, to get the form or call 305-365-2525. South Florida Family Day Welcome to South Florida's 2009 Family Day! Join us on Monday, September 28, 2009 to celebrate the importance of family meal times and keeping children drug-free. Research clearly demonstrates that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use other drugs. Whether you're cooking a gourmet meal, ordering take-out or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! The South Florida Coalition Alliance is facilitating over 20 events slated to take place the week of September 21st thru September 28th where families can get involved, enjoy a free family meal and learn more about maximizing the chances that your children will remain drug-free. For information on the days of the events, location and other details, please log onto: Neighbors 4 Neighbors. To read more about Family Day, please visit: www.casafamilyday.org. For information about keeping your kids drug-free, please visit: www.stopalcoholabuse.gov. Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk And Expo Saturday, October 10, 2009 At the Senator Gwen Margolis Amphitheatre 16501 NE 16th Ave., North Miami Beach, Florida 33162 Registration: 7:15 AM - 2 Mile Walk Start: 9:00 AM Pre-registration: $20 donation by September 25th Onsite Registration: $25.00 donation All Star registration: $35.00 donation - Kids Walk Free! (Donations are not required for participation at the event, as all are welcomed to participate at the event) REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A WALK-A-THON KIT/GIFT BAG. ALL STAR REGISTRATION WILL INCLUDE A WALK-A-THON KIT/GIFT BAG, ONE TICKET TO THE MIAMI HEAT VS. NEW YORK KNICKS OPENING NIGHT GAME OCTOBER 28TH, EARLY ENTRY PROGRAM TO WATCH THE PLAYERS WARM-UP AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT ONE FOUL SHOT "LIVE" ON THE MIAMI HEAT COURT FOLLOWING THE GAME. FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, BURNIE THE MIAMI HEAT MASCOT, FOOD, REFRESHMENTS AND SPECIAL GUESTS AT EVENT Your support will help us to provide education, counseling, social services, and resources to empower the victims and their children. MAKE ALL DONATIONS PAYABLE TO SAFESPACE FOUNDATION DV AWARENESS FUND, 16901 NE 19TH AVE, NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL 33162. REGISTRATION FORMS CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE N MIAMI BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT LOBBY (16901 NE 19 AVE) & AT THE 1ST FLOOR OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL (17011 NE 19 AVE). FOR MORE INFO OR TO REQUEST A REGISTRATION FORM AND/OR TEAM PACKET BY MAIL/EMAIL, PLEASE CONTACT RENEE DARDEN AT (305) 9482940. FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION, GO TO WWW.SAFESPACEFOUNDATION.COM. THANK YOU. DV Awareness Walk-a-thon Benefiting MORE: Register online at: www.safespacefoundation.org or pick up registration forms from the North Miami Beach Police Department. A Ray Of Light For The Unemployed In light of the current economic crisis and the ever-increasing number of layoffs every month, Modest Needs.org has launched an exciting new "Bridge Grant." opportunity. Newly unemployed people are invited to apply for short-term financial assistance as a way to ensure that they survive those very precarious first 90 days of joblessness. Click here, to find out more information. News 4 You If you would like to see the stories we've been working on with CBS4 and MY33, click here. Want to keep friends and family members out of town informed with the latest South Florida happenings? Guess what, now you can, just go to: CBS4 for all the latest. CBS4 is always on. Helping Hands Legal Helpline Need some free legal advice, but don't know where to turn? The Dade County Bar Association is offering a monthly toll-free legal helpline. Read details here. Miami-ReUseIt Network Your trash could be someone else's treasure! Find out how. Help is only a phone call away for a Neighbor in a crisis! Miami-Dade 3-1-1 Switchboard of Miami 305-358-1640 Broward County Commission 954-831-4000 2-1-1 First Call for Help of Broward Community Partnership For Homeless Needs Your Help Community Partnership for Homeless (CPHI) is a not-for-profit corporation that aids men, women and children in transitioning off the streets by providing not only food and shelter, but comprehensive case management, healthcare, daycare, job training and other assistance from a variety of social service agencies. The shelter houses an average of 200 children at any given time. Most arrive with nothing but a few clothes and personal items. Community Partnership for Homeless needs school uniforms, supplies, socks and underwear. To make a donation go to: cbs4.com/hope Please visit the Community Partnership for Homeless website for more information The Wish List The following organizations are looking for the item below: Wishes Contacts Guardian Aid Litem Volunteers to advocate for our children in need Iris Ardon Angel's Pediatric Heart House Infant clothing size newborn to 24 months (new unused), layettes, nursing bottles, pacifiers, bibs Sonia Perez Possible Dream Foundation Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel, Vanities, Furniture, Kitchen Tables, Appliances, Mattresses,Bunk Beds, Beds Renae Geraldi Organizations Have you made a connection through our eNewsletter? We would love your feedback. Please e-mail Lynne Cameron and let her know your results. We would like to post some of the Cause An Effect connections on future eNewsletters. SUPPORT N4N The Neighbors 4 Neighbors Family Fund helps families with anything from emergency food to making a dream come true. Your support can change a family's life Volunteer Organizations There's nothing more rewarding than volunteering! Miami-Dade Hands on Miami American Red Cross Broward Volunteer Broward Lynne Cameron Executive Director [email protected] Lakeshia Crist Editor-in-Chief CAE [email protected] Neighbors 4 Neighbors c/o WFOR-TV CBS4 8900 NW 18th Terrace Miami, FL 33172 Tel: (305) 597-4404 (305) 593-0244 TTY Neighbors 4 Neighbors is a non-profit organization 501 (c) 3 originally created by CBS4 in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. As South Florida recovered, CBS4 made a commitment to make Neighbors an integral part of its community service program. Using the power of television to reach people who want to help and by forging relationships with important community and business leaders, Neighbors has evolved into a valuable resource for individuals and families in our community facing critical needs. Our Supporters Board of Directors Muriel Sommers, President Julie Carbon, Vice President Bill Forshee, Treasurer Donald Butler, Secretary Florida Breast Cancer Foundation Heineken USA Incorporated Forshee & Lockwood, CPA Rachlin LLP Directors Susan Bleemer Ronald L. Book William Fauerbach Melissa Gracey Jen Klaassens Chuck Malkus Roymi Membiela Dennis Weddington Dr. Mary Louise Cole-Wood Catering the Event Ronald L. Book, P.A. Publix Supermarkets BankUnited The Wasie Foundation Malkus Communications Group Roymi Membiela & Associates Dodd Printers, Inc. Bay Point Schools Forward email Email Marketing by This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected]. 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