‘Cops for Kids’ Holiday Gift Program a Huge Success, Thanks to You!
By Chief Fred Maas, Interim City Manager

The demand was great as the numbers doubled this year in order to put smiles on the faces of so many children during the Holiday Season. There were so many new faces from the underprivileged programs to the displaced children from all the Hurricanes last year. But the response and benevolence from so many of you in the Communities of both Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura was so OUTSTANDING, that we met our goal and made the Cops and Commissioners for Kids Program a Success!

There were so many last minute concerns as we began to realize a shortfall just prior to the Holiday distribution. But not to fear, a couple of phone calls to key people, generous people, giving people, and we were right on target.

Children of all ages and all backgrounds and all beliefs were treated to a very special Holiday this year. For many, it was the only visible sign of the Holidays because it was the only gift or gifts that they would receive. It certainly took the pressure off of parents who had lost everything or maybe didn’t have much to begin with as they watched joyfully and in some cases tearfully as their little ones received their special presents.

I cannot begin to tell you how many people came thru but I will try. It started with the Program Coordinators Officer Melissa Montesino and Sgt. Don Reynolds headed up the program and received support help from Barbara Valera, Sandra Block, Officer Sassy Morales, Dan Varone and Xavier Leon of the Police Department; Marlene Calero and Michael Tribby of City Hall.

We received the support of the City Commissioners throughout the entire program and at various City sponsored events where the Commission kept reminding people of our program and our need for help. This was one of the greatest factors in helping us double our goal from last year.

And our sponsors from the community were just unbelievable along with you, our residents who year in and year out turn out to be our greatest resource. Your generosity and compassion overwhelm me because repeatedly you continue to come through.

All our residents and visitors who dropped toys in the boxes at the various pick up points including:

Walgreens
Hebrew Home of North Dade
Einstein Bagels
EB Games
CVS
Ocean One

Our grateful appreciation for their space allocation and supporting the program.

And to our special donors who in the last minute quieted our concerns and delivered the last group of toys and donations:

Aventura Marketing Council
The Related Group
Stephanie DeThomas
Aventura Beach Associates
Trump Intercoastal Sonesta Beach
Fortune International Le Meridien
Frank Borrell Family
Diego Medina 4D Construction
Glenn and Daryl Segal

The Best of Luck and Health in 2006 to all of you and Thank You!!!

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