Community Stories

November 23, 2022

RED Gala raised $140,298 for South Florida seniors

The 2022 RED Gala raised $140,298 to support Heart2Heart’s ongoing outreach to South Florida seniors. 

“We had a great night,” Heart2Heart CEO Juan Gallo said. “As always, we were encouraged by the outpouring of support from our caring community. 

A total of 172 people attended the event. The funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and a silent auction. The silent auction featured high-value prizes like a stay in a luxury resort in the Bahamas and a trip to Ireland. 

Heart2Heart also raffled off a basket of donated Apple products, sponsored by Best Roofing, which included an Apple TV+, HomePod mini, AirPods and a limited edition RED Apple Watch. Todd Dettor was the lucky winner of the raffle. 

During his keynote address, Juan explained the value of advocacy in the relationship between Heart2Heart volunteers and the seniors they serve. 

“Advocacy means we value and listen to the perspective of our seniors. We step into their space to understand them. It means we respect how each person chooses to live out their latter years,” Juan said. “Advocacy means we speak on their behalf with a level of empathy that comes only after spending time with them.”

Juan also reviewed the successes of three new programs Heart2Heart has launched or expanded in the last year. Those programs include: 

  • Food for Hope, in which volunteers deliver weekly meals to seniors living independently; 
  • Relief Care, where volunteers provide weekly companionship to seniors in the community, giving full-time caregivers a break; and 
  • C.A.R.E. Tech, which places iPads in care centers to allow residents to connect with volunteers and loved ones through video calls.

During the event, Sonata Memory Care Director David Arana spoke about Sonata’s Duets, an enrichment program designed for its memory care residents. 

Community Relations Director Riana Samaroo also presented on of the Heart2Heart C.A.R.E. Scholarships, sponsored by The Dr. Bill Kent Family Foundation. Samara Rawls, a junior at Piper High School, was presented with a $2,000 scholarship. Lugas Pagel, the sophomore scholarship winner announced earlier this year, also attended the event. 

Ginger Martin, CEO of American National Bank, surprised Heart2Heart by announcing a gift of $2,000 — beyond the bank’s initial sponsorship of $1,500.

Heart2Heart thanks each of its generous sponsors of its RED Gala, including Gloria Jacaruso, owner of the Pompano Minuteman Press, who donated the Gala program books.

“Overall, we have had a successful year,” Riana said. “We look forward to continuing to advocate for seniors in the months and years to come.” 

Gala 2022 sponsors

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!

November 23, 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/