26th Annual Rotary Golf Tournament, Honoring Dr. Ira Gelb, Raises More Than $100,000

  

Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise and Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton

Joined Forces to Honor Dr. Ira J. Gelb and Raise Funds to Benefit the

FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and Local College Undergraduate Scholarships

Boca Raton, FL (May 20, 2013) — The Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise and the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton announced that the May 9^th Golf Tournament held at Boca Lago Country Club raised more than $100,000. The announcement was jointly made by Co-chairs Bob Hildreth and Norman Matus.

The two clubs honored the esteemed Dr. Ira J. Gelb, a visionary and medical leader who planted the seed for a medical school that came to fruition as the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. Dr. Gelb serves as a leader in his role of Assistant Dean for Pre-Baccalaureate Programs, Co-Director of Cardiology and Clinical Professor of Biomedical Science. He has also received the FAU President’s Distinguished Service Medallion.

“This tournament was such an incredible success due to a very worthy honoree and two very dedicated clubs that worked hard to make this a wonderful experience for everyone involved,” said Hildreth. ”A key to the success and excitement of the fundraiser was selling tickets for the “chance to win” a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, generously donated by Delray Hyundai” he added.

“We are overwhelmed by the financial success of this tournament. We had a substantial increase in Sponsors and participation for the annual event” added Matus. “This is a perfect example of ‘two clubs are better than one.”

Each member of the first place foursome, that included Chris McFarland, Rich McFarland, Matt Thompson and Scott Wilson, was presented with a crystal trophy and $50 gift certificate to Uncle Tai’s restaurant. The second place foursome, that included Sharon DiPietro, Ingrid Fulmer, Kendra Fulmer and Debbie Schmidt, was presented with $25 gift certificate. During a celebratory dinner ceremony following the day’s play, Dr. Gelb was presented with a leather portfolio containing a journal of all the congratulatory ads and messages that were placed in his honor.

The event committee also included Dr. Steve Alman, Marleen Forkas, Deborah Freudenberg, David Katz, Daniel Spandau and Honorary Co-Chairs Dr. Robert Colton, Eric Glasband, and Larry Nagle.

For information about these Rotary Clubs, please visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org and www.rotarybocasunrise.org.

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Hospital Worker Moves From Section 8 Housing to Dream Home through the “Community for Community” Financial Generosity and Volunteerism of Broken Sound Club

Home is the Second Underwritten by Broken Sound Club, 

Totaling $100,000 in Donations and 400 Volunteer Hours

BOCA RATON, FL (May 20, 2013) – Demonstrating its long-standing “Community for Community” commitment, Broken Sound Club, an award winning 5-Star Platinum Club of America, sponsored the construction of Habitat for Humanity’s most recent South Palm Beach County home with donations of $50,000 and more than 200 volunteer hours from staff members. The keys to the home were presented by Habitat For Humanity leadership and Broken Sound Club members and staff to new homeowner Rhonda Jenkins with her daughter Rashema and granddaughter Kei’jah alongside her at a dedication ceremony yesterday at the new house located at 126 Ocean Breeze Circle in Boynton Beach. With the completion of both a one-story home in Delray Beach (in 2011) and this one-story Boynton Beach home, Broken Sound Club has donated $100,000 and 400 staff volunteer hours to the Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County Village in the spirit of one community making life better for another. 

“Habitat For Humanity’s important work makes a world of difference to families in our area,” said John Crean, CCE, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Broken Sound Club. “We are all excited to help realize yet another family’s dream of having a home to call their own.”

Known for its signature blend of warmth, elegance and genuine hospitality, Broken Sound Club is an award-winning private gated golf and country club community that offers a choice of 27 intimate residential villages, each with its own character. Recently recognized as an Emerald Club and one of “America’s Healthiest Clubs”, the gated community’s natural beauty and lifestyle are enhanced by its strong commitment to the environment that has been designated as GEO Certified by the global Golf Environment Organization (as the first club in Florida and one of only 14 in the world) as well as Audubon Sanctuary Certified by Audubon International.

For Rhonda Jenkins, owning her own home is a dream she’s been working toward for several years. A mother of two, Rhonda currently lives with her daughter Rashema, 24, and granddaughter Kei’jah, 4. The family has lived in Section 8 housing in Lake Worth for the past 10 years, where their two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is subsidized by the government. When Kei’jah joined the family in 2008, space became tight and Rashema and Kei’jah were forced to share a room. Despite living in Lake Worth, Rhonda met the Habitat For Humanity South Palm Beach County affiliate’s residency requirements because she has worked at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach for the past 15 years. As a Unit Coordinator, she had plenty of experience with volunteers prior to ever stepping foot on a Habitat build site.

“I am so excited about being able to purchase a home for the first time in my life,” said Jenkins. “I have no problem with taking the necessary steps to accomplish the dream that I have always wanted to come true.”  

Prior to applying to the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program, Rhonda worked closely with Credit Counselors of North America to improve her financial outlook.  Her hard work paid off when she was accepted into the program as a prospective homeowner in October 2011.

As Rhonda began her sweat equity hours, it became obvious that it was important to her to earn her home on her own.  The affiliate’s sweat equity policy would have allowed Rhonda to recruit family and friends to contribute up to 40% of her sweat equity hours, but she resolved to earn them all herself.  She credits her parents for her tremendous work ethic. Rhonda also used the sweat equity experience to become more active in the community, earning some of her hours at other local nonprofits, including the Caring Kitchen in Delray Beach. Although Rhonda suffered a hernia in December and wasn’t able to be as active on the worksite after undergoing surgery, she is determined to continue actively participating with Habitat in the future.  

“When this project is over for me, I will give back what others have given to me and that is helping others to receive the same thing,” Jenkins said. “It has truly been a blessing for me.”

“Homeownership provides a stable foundation for a child to live and grow,” said Michael Campbell, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity. “Having the support from Broken Sound Club allows us to continue to share the great opportunity of giving back to a community of people in need. Those who have more are willing to share with those who have less. Broken Sound is truly a giving and caring community.”

Campbell shared that after Broken Sound Club’s underwriting of its first Habitat For Humanity home in Delray Beach, Crean drafted and sent a letter inviting all other gated county club communities in Palm Beach County to share the importance and meaning of “paying it forward” via “community for community” sponsorship. Campbell noted that Crean’s letter generated the attention that resulted in the underwriting of three more homes by area country club communities.

For more information on Broken Sound Club, its residential villages and club membership program, visit BrokenSoundClub.org or facebook.com/brokensoundliving or contact Maureen Schreiber, Director of Membership at (561) 241-6820 or Maureen_Schreiber@BrokenSoundClub.org. For more information on Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, headquartered at 181 SE 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483, visit www.hfhboca.org, call 561-819-6070, or email info@hfhboca.org. 

About Broken Sound Club:

Known as the “friendly” club for its signature blend of warmth, elegance and genuine hospitality, this award-winning private gated golf and country club community offers a choice of 27 lushly landscaped intimate residential villages, each with its own character. All are just minutes away from its main clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining, two Audubon Sanctuary certified signature golf courses (one host to the PGA Champions Tour season opener), a new two-acre $6 million poolscape with bistro, a new $7 million 38,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and 23 tennis courts. This 5-Star Platinum Club of America is conveniently close to two international airports, and just a few miles from the private Boca Raton Executive Airport, Boca’s burgeoning Class A office parks and vibrant Downtown, pristine beaches, A-rated public and award-winning private schools, two universities, sports arenas and stadiums, and an exciting world of shopping, dining, art and culture, recreation, and nightlife.

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From L-R: (Board Members) 
Larry Kobren (Board Member), John Crean (CCE,GM,COO), Rhonda Jenkins and family, Nathan Metzger (Board Member) Eric Bershad (Board Member), Eileen Sands (Board Member), Judy Metzger (Wife to Nathan Metzger) 

From L-R: (BSC Employees)

Rodrigo Molina, Deroy Chand, Dianne Hart, Maria Gibson, John Crean, Maureen Schreiber, Roberto Pena, Maria Mair, Brad Mair

Broken Sound Club Named Finalist For South Florida Business Journal’s 2013 “Healthiest Employers” Award

The Only Private Golf & Country Club on SFBJ’s 2013 Line-Up

Also Recently Named One of “America’s Healthiest Clubs”,
Scoring The Highest Overall Private Club Rating To Date
 In The Nationwide Competition’s History

BOCA RATON, FL (May 7, 2013) -- Broken Sound Club -- a 5-Star Platinum Club of America -- has been named as a finalist for the South Florida Business Journal’s (SFBJ) 2013 Healthiest Employers Award. The recognition comes within weeks of the Club being named one of “America’s Healthiest Clubs”, scoring the highest overall private club rating in the nation to date in the nationwide competition by the club industry’s premier wellness expert Prevo Health Solutions, and being named a Distinguished Emerald Club by Boardroom Magazine. 

Presented by Florida Blue, the SFBJ’s award program recognizes companies in the tri-county area that incorporate healthy practices in their workplaces. Award winners will be announced at a luncheon on June 6th at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, 2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway in Fort Lauderdale.

Broken Sound Club, which opened a new freestanding, fully staffed 38,000-square-foot spa and fitness center last month, has 400 employees. It is one of five finalists in the 100-499 employees category along with After Hours Pediatrics, City of Tamarac, Gunster and Weatherby Healthcare.

When the “America’s Healthiest Clubs” recognition was announced last month by Prevo Health Solutions -- experts in workplace wellness and member recruitment and retention -- its founder and president Rick Ladendorf noted that a “singular stand out” Prevo’s evaluation team observed and recognized as what sets Broken Sound apart from other clubs nationwide is the Club’s use of a third-party, online, incentive-based Wellness Program. The program tracks and manages employee participation in activities, education, challenges and, most importantly, it encourages everyone to achieve their fitness goals, all while at work.

“So far, Broken Sound is the only club in the nation we have evaluated that has licensed a third-party wellness platform to maximize employee engagement and participation,” reported Ladendorf. Broken Sound employees begin by taking an online Health Risk Assessment that is followed by a prescriptive, personal and integrated program that includes a daily to-do list, meal plans, fitness programs and an integrated health coaching module. 

The recognition was awarded by Prevo Health Solutions, the executive producer of “America’s Healthiest Clubs”, the club industry’s only wellness rating system and recognition for a healthy environment achieved via a distinguished third-party validation. Its mission is to improve the overall health of the private club industry through education and sharing of best practices. The Prevo team consists of health professionals, certified nutrition and fitness experts, workplace wellness gurus and engagement specialists who know how to inspire and engage people to eat wise and exercise.

“We at Broken Sound Club pride ourselves in being trailblazers in the club industry on many levels, with a significant priority on building a healthy staff and environment,” said John Crean, CCE, the Club's General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. “We are honored to be recognized by Florida Blue and South Florida Business Journal, knowing their evaluation process is a serious assessment that identifies Broken Sound as a leading employer in demonstrating the core values of health and wellness, the key factors in maintaining an energized team for delivering exemplary member service.”

Crean noted that the Grand Opening of the new 38,000-square-foot spa and fitness facility this April has been met with overwhelming positivity and rave reviews by both club members and the community. Named “Moonstone”, the spa was conceptualized by Peacock + Lewis Architects, constructed by The Weitz Company, and treatment concepts and protocols, product selection, and operational fluidity created by American Leisure that has developed and managed spa programs for the Spa at Fisher Island, Spa at Williams Island in North Miami, The Spa at the landmark Plaza Athenee, NYC and Setai Club & Spa, Wall Street.

To offer a diverse menu of services and treatments, American Leisure has created signature massages, facials and wraps using cutting-edge esthetics equipment for women as well as a special “men’s only” spa treatment and services menu that includes traditional barber service and manicure and pedicure options. For women, there is a salon with stylist, a hair blow dry bar and manicure and pedicure treatments. Also featured is the Blend Bar Mix Station, where every guest can design and create their own exfoliating Body Scrub and Whipped Body Crème using all natural, vitamin-rich grape seed oil-based ingredients and high quality aroma oils for the ultimate handcrafted body product. A choice of six aromas is available at the Blend Bar, including the signature Broken Sound Silk made with Lemongrass and Eucalyptus.

Just outside the door of the spa is the members’ new fitness center that offers the latest in fitness equipment, scheduled aerobics classes and by-appointment private training sessions, a dedicated Pilates area, and a state-of-the art spin room with interactive video that would rival any area residential community spa.

For more information on Broken Sound Club, its residential villages, and club membership program, visit BrokenSoundClub.org or facebook.com/brokensoundliving or contact Maureen Schreiber, Director of Membership at (561) 241-6820 or Maureen_Schreiber@BrokenSoundClub.Org.

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About Broken Sound Club:
Whatever one’s passion or interest…their active enviable home life, business life, sporting life, and social life complement each other perfectly at Broken Sound Club. Known as the “friendly” club for its signature blend of warmth, elegance and genuine hospitality, this award-winning private gated golf and country club community offers a choice of 27 lushly landscaped intimate residential villages, each with its own character. All are just minutes away from its main clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining, two Audubon Sanctuary certified signature golf courses (one host to the PGA Champions Tour season opener), a new two-acre $6 million poolscape with bistro, a new $7 million 38,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and 23 tennis courts. This 5-Star Platinum Club of America is conveniently close to two international airports, and just a few miles from the private Boca Raton Executive Airport, Boca’s burgeoning Class A office parks and vibrant Downtown, pristine beaches, A-rated public and award-winning private schools, two universities, sports arenas and stadiums, and an exciting world of shopping, dining, art and culture, recreation, and nightlife.