By Robyn A. Friedman

City & Shore Magazine

About 750 people walked the red carpet Friday  (2/26) at the 6th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Awards, hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and presented by 2-1-1 Broward.

The sold-out event, which raised $140,000, included a red carpet arrival (complete with Junkanoo dancers), awards ceremony, luncheon and after party, all to celebrate Broward County’s non-profit organizations and their leaders —people who often work behind the scenes with few thanks for their contributions and achievements.

“2-1-1 Broward is proud to shine the spotlight on all of the great work of the Broward County non-profits that have such a tremendous impact on our community,” says Sheila Smith, president and CEO of 2-1-1 Broward, which provides a 24-hour helpline to connect individuals and families in the community with the service providers they need.

This year’s winners of the 6th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Awards are:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Non-Profit Organization of the Year

HANDY

WLRN Non-Profit Organization Staff Leader of the Year

Emilio Benitez, ChildNet

Russo Battista Law Group Non-Profit Board Leader of the Year

Nancy Daly, Habitat for Humanity

Greenspoon Marder Non-Profit Organization of the Year – The Arts

Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre (award accepted by Janet Erlick, executive artistic director)

SunTrust Bank Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Collaboration

United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse (award accepted by Kathleen Cannon, president and CEO)

Brown & Brown Insurance Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Innovation

PACE School for Girls

Calvin, Giordano & Associates Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Rising Star

Taylor’s Closet

Children’s Services Council of Broward County Collective Impact for Youth Award

The FLITE Center (award accepted by Kristen Guerrise, executive director)

OK Generators Lifetime Achievement Award

Frank Sacco, Memorial Healthcare System

Publix Community Choice Award

Take Stock in Children of Broward County

The winners in each category received a statuette and $1,000 for their non-profit organizations. Finalists were awarded $500 each.

Earlier: Our  story from the February issue, which includes all the finalists for awards, follows:

It’s awards season. But while actors, directors and others in the film industry receive broad recognition for their achievements, those who volunteer or serve in leadership positions for non-profit organizations often do not. These volunteers are unheralded, often working behind the scenes with few thanks.

Except in Broward County.

On Friday, Feb. 26, Broward County’s non-profit organizations and their leaders will be recognized at the 6^th Annual South Florida Community Care Network Non-Profit Awards, hosted by Seminole Hard Rock & Casino and presented by 2-1-1 Broward. The event, which includes a red carpet arrival, awards ceremony, luncheon and after-party, will bring local non-profit organizations and their volunteers front and center to let them know how much the community appreciates their efforts.

“It really is an opportunity to highlight the work of non-profits and celebrate those who are doing phenomenal work and impacting lives in our community every single day of the year,” says Sheila Smith, president and CEO of 2-1-1 Broward, which provides a 24-hour helpline to connect individuals and families in the community with the service providers they need. “They work every day to improve the lives of every resident in our community, and they often don’t get any recognition for what they do.”

This year, winners will be recognized in nine different categories. Each winner will receive a statuette and $1,000 for his or her organization. The other two finalists in each category will be awarded $500 each. Finalists were announced at the Broward Health VIP Announcement Party at Bongos Cuban Cafe on Jan. 14. (See complete list below).

“We are proud to once again serve as the title sponsor for 2-1-1 Broward’s Non-Profit Awards for the second consecutive year,” says John A. Benz, president and CEO of South Florida Community Care Network. “This event serves as the perfect opportunity to recognize and honor all those who work tirelessly to make our community a better and healthier place to live.”

The award categories and finalists are:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Non-Profit Organization of the Year

HANDY

Junior Achievement

Broward Regional Health Planning Council

Non-Profit Leader of the Year

Emilio Benitez, ChildNet

Andy Fernandez, Firewall Centers

Melanie Geddes, LifeNet4Families

 Russo Battista Law Group Non-Profit Board Leader of the Year

Nancy Daly, Habitat for Humanity

Heather Geronemus, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

EJ Spector, The Pantry of Broward

Greenspoon Marder Non-Profit Organization of the Year – The Arts

Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre

Business for the Arts

Brazilian Voices

SunTrust Bank Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Collaboration

United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse

Rebuilding Together Broward County

ArtServe

Brown & Brown Insurance Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Innovation

PACE School for Girls

Morning Day Community Solutions

Harvest Drive

Calvin, Giordano & Associates Non-Profit Organization of the Year – Rising Star

 Taylor’s Closet

South Florida Community Land Trust

Parkland Buddy Sports

Children’s Services Council of Broward County Collective Impact for Youth Award

 FLITE Center

Child Rescue Coalition

Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention

OK Generators Lifetime Achievement Award

Frank Sacco, Memorial Healthcare System

An additional award category is the Publix Community Choice Award, to be decided by votes received from the community.

The winners in each category will receive a statuette and $1,000 for each of their non-profit organizations. The other two finalists in each category will be awarded $500 each.

The Non-Profit Awards kick off at 11 a.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Tickets are $85 for general admission, $75 for FPL CLUB 2-1-1 members and $65 for non-profit staff/government representatives. After Feb. 10, all tickets are $85. For information, or to purchase tickets, call 954-390-0493 or visit 211-broward.org.