My Nonprofit Reviews

I first met Joanne when she accompanied Martin Brody from the Ft. Lauderdale, Rotary Club at a speaking engagement that I had booked Martin for at our First Presbyterian, Ft. Lauderdale Study and Renewal Center. Martin introduced Joanne as part of his program, and had her present the video on "A Spring of Hope". Joanne and I clicked immediately as I too had been to the region where" A Spring of Hope" was drilling wells, Acornhoeck, for the last 3 years and most recently just 3 months prior on a well project with our church. It was too much of a coincidence, we knew we were meant to meet and work together. Joanne and I got together after that presentation and decided to co-chair a first annual gala for A Spring of Hope, and proceeded to put it together a great committee of dedicated volunteers. " The Power of Hope" gala was launched at the Seagate Country club in Delray Beach, FL March 21, 2014. We had the South African Ambassador, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool as our Guest of Honor and Brittany, the founder, inspired the attendees with her story. It was a big success and will be an annual signature fundraising event for " A Spring of Hope".

The power of "A Spring of Hope" is it was started by Brittany, Joanne's daughter, when she was in high school. When Brittany on her initial trip to South Africa saw the conditions in the primary schools in Acornhoeck, lack of water, she decided to do something about it. Brittany came back and raised $10,000 for the first well at Baretta Primary School. The rest is history as they have continued to drill wells and empower school children and teachers to put in fruit and vegetable gardens to not only feed themselves but to also sell the excess in the marketplace for school supplies. This is clearly an inspirational, empowerment program of love and compassion that touches hearts and has been extremely successful. Brittany and Joanne are tireless workers, astute business women, and inspire others to do more. "The Spring of Hope" non profit is truly an amazing story of the power of one. In fact our Study and Renewal Center has invited both Joanne and Brittany back to be our January 2015 speakers for our "The Power of One" series highlighting ordinary people doing exraordinary things.

So mark your calendars because we hope to see you at our 2nd annual "The Power of Hope" gala, March 21, 2015. Check "The Spring of Hope" website: wwwaspringofhope.org for coming events and details as well as to make donations. This is a nonprofit you will want to support.