JKV Sharing and Caring Program Gives Back to the Community

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Christopher Miller, Public Relations Manager

John Knox Village

Phone: (954) 784-4726

Email: cmiller@jkvfl.com

Sharing and Caring Program Gives Back to the Community

POMPANO BEACH – 12/22/11 – Regarding the holidays, American author Peg Bracken once said, “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” John Knox Village’s Sharing and Caring Program truly embraced these words of wisdom during the months of November and December.

Throughout the holiday season, our Sharing and Caring Program assisted a number of organizations and individuals in need outside The Village. Some of these included America’s Moms for Soldiers, Boys & Girls Club, Broward Sheriff’s Department, POST (Pediatric Oncology Supoprt Team) Program, Ronald McDonald House, Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, St. Laurence Chapel, the local Toys for Tots initiative and more.

Before Thanksgiving, 79 bikes, of various sizes, were purchased from the nearby Wal-Mart Store in Pompano Beach. On December 12, during the Resident Senate Meeting, the bikes, as well as several other new toys, were then presented to U.S. Marine representatives from the 4th ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) of West Palm Beach.

For America’s Moms for Soldiers, Sharing and Caring contributed items for “thank you” packages that were sent to our military personnel serving overseas, especially to areas where supplies are scarce. In addition, over 400 holiday cards were signed by our employees and the Girl Scouts. More than 100 blankets were provided to St. Laurence Chapel for the local homeless population.

According to Kathryn Viau, Director of Resident Services, we supported the Broward Sheriff’s annual Holiday Extravaganza, a party for local families in need. Identified through various social agencies, participating children each received a gift at the commemorative event.

Also, JKV hosted the Boys & Girls Club annual holiday party, where the attending children were able to meet and receive a gift from Santa. A donation was presented to the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group to help meet the social, educational and medical needs of those who have suffered a life altering spinal injury.

The Village sponsored the annual holiday party for the POST Program, which provides support services to families and children battling cancer so they can live normal lives. Kathryn said Sharing and Caring also provided a large number of in-kind donations, including cookies for our first responders and other charitable groups.

As a nonprofit organization, John Knox Village established our social accountability program to maintain vital connections with social organizations in the community. As 2011 ended with plenty of successful giving opportunities, 2012 promises to be a highly active year for our Sharing and Caring Program, which continues to cater to the hearts of Broward’s needy residents.

John Knox Village is a not-for-profit continuing care community that provides a full range of life-care services for those aged 62 and greater. The Village is located at 651 S.W. Sixth Street in Pompano Beach, just east of I-95 and south of Atlantic Boulevard. For more information, contact our Marketing Department, at (954) 783-4040, or visit us at (www.johnknoxvillage.com).

John Knox Village’s Sharing and Caring Program donated 79 bikes for the Toys for Tots Drive. On December 12, JKV President and CEO Robert Scharmann (left) welcomed Staff Sergeant Andrew Kalinyak (center) and Staff Sergeant Adam Britzman, Toys for Tots Coordinator, who accepted the generous gifts.

Alex Viscardo (left), Environmental Services Manager, and Erik Nenortas, Recreation Therapy Manager, help load bikes on a truck for the Toys for Tots Drive.

On December 15, Santa visited The Village and provided presents to 60 children from the local Pompano Beach Boys and Girls Club as part of their annual Star Party. JKV has supported this wonderful outreach opportunity since 2003.