Thanks Giving

Mark Johnson, staff writer

Gold Coast Region PCA members were out in numbers to contribute and assist in making Thanksgiving substantially better for many needy families in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It was a warm and happy morning at Carter Park on Sunrise Boulevard where GCR folks assisted Mr. Michael Shorter and his group of eleven HSCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) volunteers provide fresh food and a gift card to more than 300 families in the area.

Michael Shorter and the wonderful folks from the HBCUs have been working and supporting the local community for fifteen years. Our PCA Region President, Mr. Peter Olliviere, is a close friend to Michael. When Peter learned of the effort a few years ago, it became an annual giving event for our Region. This year, Gold Coast Region donated over $7500 to the program, which was converted into $25 Publix gift cards that could be used to purchase “the bird”: the requisite turkey for the big day.

Families were lined up early. Each drove through the park to receive the food, supported by FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA. Cars were loaded with potatoes, yams, tomatoes, zucchini, a dozen eggs, a fresh pineapple, a bag of oranges, cucumbers, and the Publix card. A total of roughly 100 volunteers, including some twenty GCR members, loaded backseats, trunks, and the rear storage areas of the SUVs that drove through.

The many volunteers offered cheerful wishes of “Happy Thanksgiving!” Many smiles were exchanged, and a fair amount of dancing was enjoyed, as Michael had a DJ with some great music to keep the tempo up and the cars moving!

Thank you, Michael Shorter & friends, thank you GCR PCA members. Giving is Living! With this card, you got a turkey at Publix.

Over three hundred families received a ton of food, it was fun giving.