Boys Town South Florida Celebrates 20 Years with Annual Gala

Boys Town South Florida's greatest supporters gathered at the “Crystals of Hope” Gala October 15 to celebrate 20 years of bringing healing and hope to the community. The event raised much needed support to continue extending the mission to provide and promote an Integrated Continuum of Care to even more troubled children and hurting families in need.   

The event kicked off with dinner, a silent auction and live entertainment, which continued throughout the evening. Master Chef Brian Sode, one of 65 Master Chefs in the United States, provided the evening’s dinner options at The Bears Club, Jack Nicklaus’ private signature golf club in Jupiter, Fla. 

The event theme, “20 Stories for 20 Years,” looked back on the stories and individuals that have made Boys Town South Florida a haven for children and families in crisis.  

Amy Simpson, Executive Director of Boys Town South Florida, said the success of the event will help Boys Town continue to provide In-Home Family Services in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. 

“This support came at the perfect time and will be put to very good use,” Simpson said.   

Guests heard from the Family of the Year, the Martinez family, and the Youth of the Year, Frankie, who  shared their inspiring stories with the audience. Read their inspiring stories.

“Guests were in tears as they heard [the speakers] share their stories and success of their journeys as they were helped by South Florida,” said Michael R. Slade, Boys Town South Florida Board Chairman.      

Blanche Roddick from the Andy Roddick Foundation received Boys Town South Florida's first Spirit of Youth Award in honor of her years of support for the Family of the Year and Youth of the Year recipients. Andy Roddick sent a special video message from China to congratulate his mother on the award.

The Andy Roddick Foundation for Children, established by international tennis star Andy Roddick with his parents, has been donating to Boys Town South Florida for the past five years. This year, they've donated $4,000 to directly support the recipients of the award in a family activity. Roddick was born in Omaha, Neb., where Father Edward Flanagan began his mission in 1917.