FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – In true academy awards style, nearly 800 corporate executives, community leaders and members of the non-profit sector attended the sold-out 5th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Academy Awards last Friday, which was hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and presented by 2-1-1 Broward. The prestigious awards honor the work of Broward County’s non-profit organizations and leaders and the impact they have on the community.

Several of the 2015 Non Profit Academy Award Winners. Photos courtesy of Downtown Photo

The festivities began with a special warm welcome to all of the finalists at the red carpet reception, which featured live golden statues, a photo booth, a red carpet with paparazzi, makeup artists and champagne. Upon taking their seats in the ballroom, the audience was welcomed by Bob Birdsong, 2-1-1 Broward Board Chair & CEO of OK Generators; Sheila Smith, President & CEO of 2-1-1 Broward; and John Benz, President & CEO of South Florida Community Care Network and 2-1-1 Broward Board Member. After the welcome, guests were surprised with a special performance by America’s Got Talent’s Emil and Dariel, rock cellist duo, sponsored by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived as the distinguished winners of each of the 11 award categories were announced and honored for their dedication to Broward County and the impact they have on the community each and every day. The winners in each category received an Academy Award statue and $1,000 for their non-profit organizations. The finalists in each category were awarded $500 each. The event raised over $172,000 and $23,000 will be awarded to the finalists at the SFCCN Winners Circle luncheon at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on March 20th.

“The Non-Profit Academy Awards offered a unique way to honor those that aid our community and help to make it a better place. The enthusiasm and energy of the events mimicked the passion that fuels those who were honored," said John Benz, President & CEO of South Florida Community Care Network. “The opportunity to be the title sponsor of this event allowed South Florida Community Care Network to demonstrate our commitment and passion for the community and the many nominees and winners”.

“2-1-1 Broward is delighted to bring awareness to the great work of the non-profits in Broward County,” said Sheila Smith, President and CEO of 2-1-1 Broward. “Every day these agencies, their staff and their leaders quietly and profoundly impact the lives of individuals in our community. We are very proud to partner with South Florida Community Care Network, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the rest of our sponsors, to celebrate the non-profits at our annual 2-1-1 Broward Non-Profit Academy Awards Event.”

"Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are proud to support the 5th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Academy Awards presented by 2-1-1 Broward - an event that brings together Broward’s philanthropic leaders who are being recognized for making a difference every day," said Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs and Special Events with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "All of the nominated and winning organizations deserve the upmost praise for their diligent and extraordinary work in the community."

The three event chairs included Susan Mansolillo, Senior Director, Human Resources at South Florida Community Care Network; Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs and Special Events with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; and Jen Klaassens, Vice President of Programs for The Wasie Foundation.

The sealed envelopes with the winning organizations and leaders were secured and delivered by Berkowitz Pollack & Brant Advisors and Accountants, the official accounting firm of the Non-Profit Academy Awards.

Event sponsors include South Florida Community Care Network; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Broward Health, AT&T, The Wasie Foundation; OK Generators; Publix; Calvin Giordano & Associates; Children’s Services Council of Broward County; Brown & Brown Insurance; Heidi Schaeffer, M.D. Charitable Trust; Sun Sentinel; City & Shore Magazine; SunTrust Bank; Russo Battista Law Group; JM Family Enterprises; Eye on South Florida; Memorial Healthcare System; Wizard Creations; United Way of Broward County; Broward Health; Kip Hunter Marketing; Gray Robinson, P.A.; Envision Web Development; Rock With U Entertainment; Leo Goodwin Foundation; LaCroix Water; Barefoot Wine and Bubbly; SIDES, The Atlantic Hotel & Spa; Beauty & the Feast Bar|Kitchen; American Harvest; 360 Vodka and Canon Solutions America, Inc.

The 5th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Academy Awards hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and presented by 2-1-1 Broward categories and winners were:

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - Feeding South Florida

PNC BANK NON-PROFIT STAFF LEADER OF THE YEAR - Evan Goldman, HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth)

RUSSO BATTISTA LAW GROUP NON-PROFIT BOARD LEADER OF THE YEAR - Maya Ezrati, Young at Art Museum

SUNTRUST BANK NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - THE ARTS - Art & Culture Center of Hollywood

THE WASIE FOUNDATION NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR – COLLABORATION – 4KIDS of South Florida with ChildNet

BROWN & BROWN INSURANCE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR – INNOVATION - Take Stock in Children

CALVIN, GIORDANO & ASSOCIATES NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - RISING STAR - Girl Choir of South Florida

CHILDREN’S SERVICES COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMPACT FOR YOUTH AWARD - Firewall Centers

OK GENERATORS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Melissa Aiello, Junior Achievement of South Florida

HEIDI SCHAEFFER, M.D. CHARITABLE TRUST CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & AWARENESS AWARD - Child Rescue Coalition

THE PUBLIX COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARD - Parkland Buddy Sports

About 2-1-1 Broward
The mission of 2-1-1 Broward is to provide 24 hour comprehensive helpline and support services to individuals and families in our community seeking crisis intervention assistance and/or information and connections to health and human services in Broward County. Every call to 2-1-1 is answered by a trained, degreed counselor who listens to the caller’s concerns, identifies their needs and connects them with agencies and programs that can help them. 2-1-1 Broward relies on the generous support of government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals to provide this vital community service. For more information regarding 2-1-1 and how you can help, please call 954-390-0493 or visit www.211-broward.org. Get social! Follow 2-1-1 Broward: facebook.com/211Broward, twitter.com/211Broward and instagram.com/211Broward.

About South Florida Community Care Network
South Florida Community Care Network, LLC (SFCCN) is a Broward County health plan serving members enrolled in Medicaid, Children’s Medicaid Services Network and employees of Memorial Healthcare System. SFCCN is a partnership fully owned and operated by Broward Health (North Broward Hospital District) and Memorial Healthcare System (South Broward Hospital District), Florida's most experienced names in healthcare.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida’s premier destination for fun and entertainment, Where Rock Royalty Lives. Over 90 tables offer Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker, Casino War and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Additionally, over 2,200 slots include the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room, are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player’s Club members also have access to the exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef’s Table show kitchen. The Poker Room at Seminole Hard Rock hosts various games and tournaments of Limit and No Limit Texas Hold ‘em, 7-Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 144 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, Rock Spa, award-winning restaurants, high-energy nightclubs, lounges and bars, boutique retail shops, the 350-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood, twitter.com/SHRHollywood, instagram.com/semhardrockhollywood and youtube.com/semhardrockhollywood.