DAVIE, Fla. – Philanthropy Week, which celebrated Broward College faculty and staff donors, recently concluded with a beautification project on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie with close to 100 volunteers giving back to the College.

Volunteers helped with landscaping around building 19 that included mulching, weeding and planting milkweed to attract butterflies to the butterfly garden, and painting birdhouses, wind chimes and rocks.

“It was a wonderful experience - every BC Cares event usually is wonderful. Not only did I get to meet some colleagues with whom I've interacted virtually but never had the opportunity to meet face-to-face, but I also got to work alongside our gracious college president and his lovely wife, Dr. & Mrs. Astrab, as well as colleagues I've never met before,” said Cindy Howe, who works in Student Services on Central. “We were able to help make my home campus look great, while supporting this Philanthropy Week wrap up event by the BC Alumni & Friends team.”

Organized by Broward College Cares and Broward College Alumni & Friends, this was the first time Philanthropy Week took place because BC wanted to thank those staff who donate some money from each paycheck to the College. Philanthropy Week also marked the College’s 64th anniversary.

In fact, according to Anthony Stewart, Broward College’s Alumni Engagement Manager, over the past three years, there have been 280 faculty and staff donors. Out of that number, 108 are BC alumni.

“Just as the Junior College of Broward County, as our college was first known, opened its doors in September 1960 and transformed the educational and professional futures of Broward County residents, so too does philanthropy – giving back of time, talent and treasure - open doors for our students, bringing exceptional educational opportunities and professional success within their reach,” said Stewart.

Leading up to the beautification project on Central, the alumni and donor relations team were on each campus to get the students excited and to inform them of the importance of philanthropy at Broward College.

One of the goals of Philanthropy Week was to highlight that philanthropy comes in many forms, Stewart said.
“Monetary support of BC and its students through scholarships; volunteering such as at events like our campus beautification; and mentoring such as being on alumni panels where students can interact with alumni or alumni coming back to campus as guest speakers,” said Stewart.

BC Cares was launched in the fall of 2017, marking the College's dedication to fostering a culture of service and community engagement among its faculty, staff and their families.

Over the past six years, the initiative has resulted in over 750 members contributing more than 22,000 hours to various community service activities, according to Elaina Moran, Director, Institutional Events at Broward College, who oversees BC Cares.

BC Cares typically organizes three volunteer events each year, but Moran plans on offering six events for the new academic year.

“You get to help out in our community, to be able to give back to different aspects that people didn't know about, places that they can give back right here in the community where the school is in Broward County,” said Moran.
Past volunteer opportunities helped Habitat for Humanity, Voices for Children of Broward County and beach cleanups. Moran plans to send a survey to BC employees to gage their interest for which non-profits will be chosen.

Last year, BC employees and their families helped make 600 holiday cards for the children for Voices for Children of Broward County, which provide programs solely for child victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment by working to make the foster care experience better for all children.

“It's a great way to work alongside your colleagues and a great way to get to meet people and do something important right in our community where we all live, all work and all play here. It's also a great way to be able to do something with your family,” said Moran.

The next BC Cares event will be the Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep on Nov. 9. Watch out for an eblast coming soon with more details.

Are you a BC alum? Alumni are encouraged to complete a contact update form, which gives them options for giving back.

For more information about BC Cares, contact Moran at ecohenmo@broward.edu and for more information on Alumni & Friends, visit alumni.broward.edu.

-BC-