SOS Celebrates Foster Care with An Evening in Venice

Boca Raton, FL- SOS Children’s Villages – Florida kicked off National Foster Care month in May by sharing a Masquerade, an evening in Venice, with friends.

The celebration raised over $325,000 to help support the 75 foster children who call the Village home. The annual event provides funding for services and activities such as tutoring, therapy, case management, after school activities, and the little everyday experiences that make childhood wondrous and memorable. The final call of the evening raised money to help provide clothing allowances for the children for the coming year.

The evening also celebrated the service and dedication of former CEO Margie Bruszer, who was honored with the SOS “Spirit of Home” award. Before arriving at SOS nearly ten years ago, Margie had already spent three decades crusading for the Florida’s children, working to ensure their safety and well-being.

“I knew in high school that I wanted to become a social worker,” said Bruszer while accepting the award. “I wanted to save the world. And, while I discovered that I couldn’t save everyone… I could save some.”

Throughout her years of service, her gift for warmth, compassion, and genuine concern touched every child, volunteer, donor, and friend. With her spirit and guidance, the SOS mission and services grew and today the Village continues to fulfill a promise of healing, hope, and home to all children.

“The support of SOS, who stepped up, believed in me and supported my dream, put me on the road to success,” said SOS alumnus and gala guest speaker Tavares Gipson, 27, who shared the story of his family of seven brothers who grew up together in the Village. “Today, I am an entrepreneur with my own mobile detailing business and the gems of wisdom I learned at SOS, I have carried through my life as an adult.”

The evening’s festivities, emceed by Channel 25’s Felicia Rodriguez, included a silent auction, dinner, dancing, live entertainment by Final Countdown and a very special live auction led by Gordon Latz. The celebration was made possible by sponsorships from Title Sponsor The Country Club Managers Association, Florida Chapter Seminole Region; Jarden Consumer Solutions; Toshiba Business Solutions – Florida; Wheelabrator; Caring Friends of the Children, the Page Family Foundation; Seawood Builders; Seminole Casino - Coconut Creek; The Belford Family; Lisa and David Goodman; the Leo Goodwin Foundation; NCCI Holdings; Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Attorneys at Law; The Pechter Family Foundation; Bateman, Gordon & Sands; Christina Cleveland; Robert Critton, Esq.; Art & Marcy Falcone; The Glick Family; Regions Bank; the Sandra C Slomin Family Center for Autism and Related Disabilities; Stanberry Development; and Study Zone of South Florida; Helene and Stephen Weicholz and Family; Life Publications, Lifestyle Magazines; Berg Demolition; and US Bancorp. Party favors were donated by Swarovski.

SOS Children’s Villages - Florida is home to up to seventy foster children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Village setting allows brothers and sisters, often separated in foster care, to be reunited. The nurturing and support that SOS provides prepares them for a future as productive members of society. In 2007, SOS was re-accredited by the Council of Accreditation for continuing high standards and providing quality services for foster children. The Florida Village is part of a worldwide network of over 450 villages caring for disadvantaged children.