Broward Agencies Volunteer on National Make A Difference (Residents benefit from a host of goods and services)

CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
PHONE: 954-232-4510

Fort Lauderdale--- Spearheaded by Commission Chair Lori Parrish and Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, Broward County agencies will volunteer their time, efforts and services to truly "make a difference" on Make A Difference Day.
                
Make A Difference Day is an annual event created by USA WEEKEND Magazine to celebrate helping others. The event takes place on the fourth Saturday of October, and everyone across the nation can participate. This year, Make A Difference Day will be held on Saturday, October 26.
                
The Broward County Commission is pleased to join thousands of volunteers across the nation who are donating their time on this day to help others. Broward County agencies have worked for several months to identify specific community needs and then focused on ways to meet those needs. Heres whats in store on October 26, 2002.

Advanced media coverage is welcomed! For more information or to set up interviews please call Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager, Broward County Commissioners at 954-916-3717 or Todd LeDuc at 954-410-3862.
            
• Free Pet Licensing - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division
Pet owners who come to the Broward County Animal Care shelters on October 26 will receive free licenses for their cat or dog. The shelters are located at:

Fort Lauderdale Animal Shelter
1870 Southwest 39 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315    Phone: 954-359-1313
(southwest corner of Perimeter Road of the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport).

Pompano Animal Shelter
3100 N.W. 19 Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL 33064    Phone: 954-970-0130
(just east of Powerline Road between Sample and Copans Roads)

The license tags are valued at $12 for sterilized pets and $24 for non-sterilized pets. Pet owners must bring proof of current rabies vaccination, issued within the last 12 months from their veterinarian, in order to receive a free license tag. Residents should also bring proof of current address, such as a driver's license or utility bill. Residents should not bring their pets to the shelter.

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• Walk for the African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
T.Y. Park hosted a community walk on October 5 to raise money and awareness for the Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center. On October 26, the money raised from the Walk will be donated during the grand opening ceremonies, which will be held at the library (corner of N.W. 27 Avenue and Sistrunk Boulevard).

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• Recycled Paint Give-away
Liberty Tree Park, 7421 N.W. Fifth Street, Plantation, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Broward County Public Works Department, Office of Integrated Waste Management
Volunteers will give away recycled paint and provide literature on the benefits of recycling. The give- away event will feature environmental quizzes, prizes and activities for children. Supplies are limited.

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• Child Safety Seat Inspections (Locations to be announced)
Broward County Fire Rescue Division
Dozens of firefighters will check, repair and replace child car seats at locations throughout the County.

• Smoke Alarm Inspections -- Broward County Fire Rescue Division
Firefighters will go door-to-door to dozens of homes inspecting, replacing, repairing smoke alarms.
Contact: Asst. Chief Todd LeDuc at 954-410-3862 for locations.

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• Food For Fines Week -- All Broward County Library branches
Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County libraries will have a seven-day amnesty period from Oct 20 to 26 in which library fines on overdue items will be forgiven in exchange for a donation of a non-perishable food item. All food donation will be given to the Daily Bread Food Bank.

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• Women Build A Legacy/Habitat for Humanity
Homes are located on the 3900 block of Southwest12th Place, Fort Lauderdale, 7:15 a.m.
Broward County Human Resources Division
On Make A Difference Day, one dozen volunteers forming the team "HomeMakers" will help build six homes for needy families.

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• Painting the Northwest Federated Women's Club & Adult Day Care Center
2161 N.W. 19th Street, Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m.
Broward County Human Services Department
Volunteers from Broward County's Human Services Department will paint the Northwest Federated Women's Club, which provides services to minority elders in central and northwest Broward. Supplies will be donated by Broward County and local businesses.

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• Fall Fun Day
Hispanic Unity, 5840 Johnson St., Hollywood, 2 p.m.
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
Volunteers will host a Fall Fun Day for the 80 Degrees Club, which provides after-school activities and teaches leadership skills to Hispanic children. Activities will include arts and crafts, food and refreshments. The 80 Degrees Club is a partnership of Hispanic Unity and Aspira of Broward.

• Food Bank Donation
Poverello Center Food Bank, 2292 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, 4 p.m.
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
Volunteers will present food items collected for the Poverello Center, which provides weekly food supplies for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

• Halloween Fun Party
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, 1000 Joe DiMaggio Drive, Hollywood, 10 a.m.
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division
Volunteers will deliver donated bags of goodies during an early Halloween party for children who are patients at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.

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• Nursing Home Visits
----Pompano Retirement Home, 501 S.W. Second Place, Pompano Beach
Sheridan Manor Assisted Living Facilities, 2415 N. 20th Avenue, Hollywood
Visits to both homes will begin at 11 a.m.
----Broward County Human Services Department, Elderly and Veterans Services Division
Volunteers will purchase and deliver items for nursing home residents' "wish lists." Volunteers will also take some Pompano Retirement Home residents out to lunch and will host a luncheon at the Sheridan Manor Assisted Living Facility.

• Book Collection for Young Children
Human Services Department, Children Services Division
In an effort to encourage reading and improve literacy in low income areas, volunteers will collect books for young children in Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes. The book collection began October 1. The books will be delivered to children at an open house on October 26.

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• Seafarers House/Port Everglades
A collection of donated books and videotapes will be delivered to the Seafarers House where they will be part of an exchange library for the seafarers who visit Port Everglades.