Before a shovel ever hit the ground to construct Children’s Harbor in Pembroke Pines, “Alligator” Ron Bergeron was there, paving the way to ensure the ambitious plan to create a home for this safe shelter to support teens in foster care.
Originally, the area upon which Children’s Harbor now sits was meant to house a City of Pembroke Pines fire department, but Bergeron, who owned the land, stepped forward and offered to swap it for an adjacent parcel, so that both could be built.
To commemorate that pivotal moment, Children’s Harbor presented Bergeron with the Beacon Award at the non-profit’s 11th Annual Harbor Lights Gala. Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar presented Bergeron with the award.
“I thank Children’s Harbor for this recognition,” Bergeron said. “Children’s Harbor is a stellar organization that strengthens families and youth in our community. I am thrilled to have assisted them all those years ago in getting the land to create homes for foster youth so that they may grow into healthy, educated and productive adults.”
Themed “Nash Bash,” the gala event was held at Bergeron’s Green Glades Ranch, where guests donned their most glamorous country and western apparel, hats, boots and baubles to enjoy dinner, cocktails, a ride on a mechanical bull and heel-kickin’ country and western hits from the Shane Duncan Band.
“Children’s Harbor is honored to present our Beacon Award to Mr. Bergeron to recognize his many outstanding contributions as a dedicated philanthropist, visionary entrepreneur and unwavering advocate for the youth in our community,” Children’s Harbor President and CEO Tiffani Dhooge said. “We appreciate all of our sponsors and all of our guests that helped us raise $254,000 during the Nash Bash.”
Nash Bash Gold Sponsors included: Cinch Home Services and Mahoney & Associates. Silver Sponsors were: M.A. Construction Group, MG & A Wealth, Palermo, Landsman & Ross, P.A., Rick Case Automotive Group, UKG and Christy & Jeff Brigman. Bronze Sponsors were Aetna, BankUnited, Beckett Realty, Centennial Bank, Holland & Knight, It’s a 10 Haircare, Marsh McLennan, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Mercer Health & Benefits, Miller Construction Company, Sandra & Peter Nori, AmericasFrontLine.com and the Ladies Executive Golf Society.
About Children’s Harbor
Established in 1996, Children’s Harbor is a nationally accredited non-profit agency with a mission to help strengthen families who are struggling in our community, while providing safe shelter and support to teens in foster care so that they may grow into healthy, educated and productive adults.
With the belief that children should feel safe, that family is worth fighting for and that cycles can be broken, Children’s Harbor provides a harbor of hope and healing for children who have been impacted by the trauma of child abuse. The main campus in Pembroke Pines provides a supportive family environment for teenagers in foster care and their younger siblings. The family strengthening program prevents kids from coming into foster care by providing in-home counseling and support to families who are struggling in the community. Young adults aged 18-23 who have aged out of foster care are provided with housing and the wrap-around support and independent living programs necessary to help them overcome their trauma and navigate through the early stages of adulthood.
Brown’s Harbor is a supportive housing community that offers on-site staff, training, and wrap-around support services for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system, ages 18-23, helping to bridge the gap from dependence to independence.
