NANAY Celebrates 10 Years of Community Service

 Miami, Florida- November 17, 2004

 Funders, founders, government officials, activists, officers of homeowners? associations, board members, staff, volunteers and supporters were among the more than 280 well-wishers who attended the highly successful NANAY?s 10^th Anniversary Banquet at the Broward Convention Center on November 6, 2004.

 New Orleans Philippine Honorary Consul Cielo Martinez presented the NANAY awards to retired Judge John Gaudiosi and Ricardo Garcia (Most Distinguished Philanthropists), John Stokesberry (Most Distinguished Eldercare Services Pioneer), Banal na Pag-aaral (Most Distinguished Volunteers), Congresswoman Carrie Meek (Most Distinguished Legislator) and City of North Miami (for Most Distinguished Community Service).

?What you, as a group, have done in the past 10 years is highly commendable, and I know that none of this would have been possible without your compassion, commitment, motivation, hard work, and your genuine willingness to provide help to others unselfishly,? said Dr. Susana Bruce, youngest among the Bruce Founders of NANAY who flew from Texas, along with 4 other sisters from California, to personally witness the NANAY activities.

 Dr. Joy Bruce, Founding President and CEO, acknowledged all the supporters and gave a PowerPoint presentation of the history , financials and accomplishments of NANAY over the last 10 years, highlighting the acquisition of the NANAY Community Center Building and the recent opening of the NANAY Health Center in North Miami. NANAY has provided free transport, counseling, computer classes, recreational activities, health support, workshops and intergenerational programs to hundreds of elders and youth from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and now has active regional affiliates in San-Francisco/Bay Area and Michigan that are replicating its services.

 NANAY?s vision for the next 10 years was also highlighted, including a healthier and happier community through supportive services, preventive and primary health care, the renovation and expansion of the NANAY Community Center to incorporate a Computer Clubhouse and Homeownership/Job Counseling office, and a ?NANAY Village?, a multiplex of supportive housing for elders and health facility for those with primary health care and special needs.

Dr. Bruce emphasized the role that community, staff, volunteers, and supporters must play to realize the ambitious, yet achievable vision. The $15,000 raised from the event will be used for roof repairs at the NANAY Community and Health Centers.

For details of the Banquet Financial Information, please CLICK HERE.

More than 100 guests and elders who did not make it to the Saturday Banquet attended the lunch reception at the NANAY Community Center the next day, to meet and socialize with funders who reiterated their commitment to support NANAY. Following the dance presentations, both funders and some clients expressed their sentiments and shared the effect that NANAY had on their lives.

NANAY, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization whose mission is to promote the health, welfare and well being of elders, youth and community. NANAY Health Center, Inc. is an affiliate organization of NANAY that provides affordable preventive and primary health care to the community.

NANAY is supported by the City of North Miami, Alliance for Aging for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Health Foundation of South Florida, Miami-Dade County Alliance for Human Services, Miami-Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development, State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs,  State of Florida Department of Health and State of Florida Department of Transportation.

For more information, please contact Mr. Bennie Trinidad, NANAY Reigional Executive Director, at (305) 981-3232.