Community Stories

September 24, 2022

The 2022 RED Gala, Heart2Heart’s premier fundraising event set for Thursday, Nov. 10, is fast approaching. 

The window to buy early bird tickets at a special price closes on Sept. 30!

The gala promises an evening of delicious food, high-value auction items and inspiring stories from South Florida’s only faith-based senior outreach organization. Heart2Heart is selling only 175 tickets to this exclusive event at The Venue, 2345 Wilton Drive in Fort Lauderdale.

Last year’s RED Gala raised more than $137,000 — far exceeding Heart2Heart’s initial goal of $97,000.

“The generosity of last year’s RED Gala guests blew us away,” said Heart2HEart CEO Juan Gallo. “We are honored that the South Florida community entrusts us to advocate and care for the senior population.

“We cannot wait to see how the community continues to bless our deserving seniors.” 

Last year’s RED Gala paved the way for exciting programs Heart2Heart began or expanded in 2022. 

In the last ten months, Heart2Heart has:  

  • Launched iPads for Seniors, giving residents in care centers throughout Broward County a way to stay connected to family, friends and caring Heart2Heart volunteers, in spite of persistent facility lockdowns that prevent in-person visits
  • Launched Food for Hope, delivering nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to isolated seniors in partnership with Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation
  • Become a licensed Respite Agency with the state of Florida, allowing our volunteers to assist family members take care of senior relatives at home.

These new programs complement our ongoing outreach opportunities. They are innovative ways to implement Heart2Heart’s core mission: connecting lonely and isolated seniors to volunteers who care.

“The intense growth we’ve experienced in 2022 would not be possible without the generosity of our Gala participants last year,” Community Relations Director Riana Samaroo explained.

How will Heart2Heart expand its reach and help more seniors feel seen and heard in 2023? 

You can be a part of that answer! You can become part of the Heart2Heart story, bringing hope, love and restored purpose for our seniors. 

There are three opportunities to participate in the RED Gala:

  • Buy early bird tickets 
  • Sponsor the gala
  • Donate to the RED Gala, if you can’t attend in person

Join the RED Gala today!

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

September 24, 2022

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

Read more …

A Day of Joy and Connection at Villa Rio Vista Care Center

A Day of Joy and Connection at Villa Rio Vista Care Center

In the month of June, laughter echoed through the halls of Villa Rio Vista Care Center as volunteers from Church by the Glades and VOUS Church brought joy, faith, and connection to residents through Bingo, painting, and heartfelt moments. Their visit was a beautiful reminder of the power of showing up—and how small acts of love can leave a lasting impact.

Read the full story here:

https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/a-day-of-joy-and-connection-at-villa-rio-vista-care-center/?_thumbnail_id=32239

1Name Church Brings Light and Love to Seniors at Life Care Center at Inverrary

1Name Church Brings Light and Love to Seniors at Life Care Center at Inverrary

This month’s Community Story highlights the heartfelt outreach of 1Name Church at the Life Care Center at Inverrary. What began as a simple visit turned into a powerful moment of connection—filled with music, prayer, and joy. Residents who were once hesitant soon joined in song and accepted Bibles with open hearts. Through their love in action, 1Name Church reminded everyone that hope, faith, and fellowship are gifts that change lives.

Read the full story to see how committed volunteers and church partners are bringing light into the lives of our seniors.

https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/1name-church-brings-light-and-love-to-seniors-at-life-care-center-at-inverrary/

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

On March 15th, members of Lauderhill Seventh-Day Adventist Church and their families brought joy, creativity, and compassion to seniors at Active Senior Living and Fort Lauderdale Health and Rehab.

Through wreath-making, songs, and a Bible-based skit, they reminded residents that they are seen, loved, and never alone.

This powerful day of connection beautifully reflects Heart2Heart’s mission to restore dignity and hope to isolated seniors—one loving act at a time.

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors-2/

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

On February 22nd, Heart2Heart partnered with Parkridge Church and Community Christian Church to bring warmth and companionship to seniors across eight care facilities in Broward County.

Volunteers filled the day with heartfelt conversations, games, and meaningful connections, replacing loneliness with joy and belonging.

One resident, Mary, shared through happy tears, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. It feels good to know someone cares.”

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors/