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Created: June 21 2013

The Keith Family which was honored with the prestigious James J. Blosser Community Trusteeship Award in recognition of the family’s overwhelming generosity and commitment to BPHI’s mission.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – Saturday Night Fever gripped Broward's top community and business leaders who dressed in leisure suits, platform shoes and other retro attire to "do the hustle" and raise more than $280,000 to help Broward's homeless rebuild their lives at the "Disco Ball," presented by the Broward Partnership for the Homeless as its 14th Annual Salute to Leadership.

More than 300 supporters and guests danced the night away at GPG Studios, which was transformed into a Studio 54-style nightclub. The disco inferno was fueled by a cocktail reception, dinner and awards presentation before Grammy Award-winning disco/Motown legend Thelma Houston ignited the crowd with a live musical performance, which featured "Last Dance" and "Don't Leave Me This Way".

In addition to raising funds to support BPHI's mission, the Disco Ball also shined the spotlight on several outstanding community partners:

The Keith Family was honored with the prestigious James J. Blosser Community Trusteeship Award in recognition of the family's overwhelming generosity and commitment to BPHI's mission, which spans three generations beginning with family patriarch and one of BPHI's founders, the late Bill Keith. American Express received the Corporate Trusteeship Award in recognition of the company's significant financial support of BPHI's Workforce Development and Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers programs as well as the active volunteer efforts of American Express employees since 1999. The Health Foundation of South Florida was honored with the Foundation Trusteeship Award for its ongoing support of "Smiles Work!" Dental Program, which provides critically-needed, comprehensive oral health care for BPHI's homeless residents.

The Disco Ball was made possible by presenting sponsor The Leo Goodwin Foundation. Additional sponsors included GL Homes, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Holy Cross Hospital, Sun Sentinel, Carnival Cruise Lines, Emerald Asset Advisors, Ultimate Software, Automated HealthCare Solutions, Inc., AutoNation, Comerica Bank, First Southern Bank, Sally Goldman Foundation, Premier Beverage Company, Starmark, Pierson Grant Public Relations, Black Coach Limousine, Riverside Hotel and Over the Top Linens. Co-chaired by Elliot Borkson and Kevin Leonard, the event's host committee included Kim Bentley, Bill Burley, Diane D'Angelo, Shannon Gilbert, Kenneth Gordon, Jane Grant, Michael Keeby, Carol Molnar, Peggy Nordeen, John Primeau, Joni Rein, Cathy Stutin, Charles Tatelbaum, Daniel Taylor, Linda Wood and honorary chair Dr. Patrick Taylor.

Proceeds from the Disco Ball will assist Broward Partnership for the Homeless in operating the 200-bed Central Homeless Assistance Center on the Huizenga Family Campus, which serves more than 1,200 homeless men, women and children each year. In addition to emergency shelter and nutritious meals, BPHI offers wrap-around case management and comprehensive on-site services, such as medical and dental care, behavioral health, workforce development, family therapy and others that assist the homeless in reacquiring health, housing and employment as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.bphi.org.

About Broward Partnership for the Homeless
Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (BPHI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to reducing homelessness by promoting independence and self worth through advocacy, housing, and comprehensive services. Since 1999, BPHI has provided more than 19,000 homeless individuals and families in Broward County with the opportunity to achieve dignified independence and begin to rebuild their lives. For more information, visit www.bphi.org.