Truluck’s Fort Lauderdale Hosts Luncheon Benefiting The Heart Gallery Of Broward County Celebrating 100th and 101st Adoptions
Friday, Oct. 5 from 12-1:30 p.m.
Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crabhouse at The Galleria Mall
2584A East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

A pledge of $100 or more to The Heart Gallery per person is suggested to attend the luncheon. Truluck’s is also challenging donors to pledge $1000 or more – those who do will receive a $100 gift card for the restaurant. RSVPs are required for the event, and luncheon sponsorship opportunities are available. To RSVP and for more information, please contact Jennifer Thomason, The Heart Gallery of Broward County Director of Development and Community Relations at 954-439-1916 or jennifer@heartgalleryofbroward.org .

A unique sit-down pledge luncheon benefiting The Heart Gallery of Broward County, a traveling photography exhibit of foster children who are waiting to be permanently adopted. The public is invited to attend the special event.

Truluck’s is hosting the luncheon in celebration of The Heart Gallery of Broward County’s milestone 100th and 101st adoptions since its 2006 inception. On June 11, Miramar family Roy and Marta DePasquale adopted teenage brothers Tyler and Kyle, whose photos they first saw in The Heart Gallery two years ago.

During the luncheon, Marta DePasquale will speak about their experience of adopting four teenage children (Tyler, Kyle and their two teenage daughters who they adopted together in 2009). Attendees will enjoy delicious menu items including a signature Truluck’s dish prepared by Head Chef Chi Chan, as well as wines. The Galleria is a major sponsor of the event. Approximately 100 people are expected to attend.

Taking their challenge even further, Truluck’s will host one complimentary dinner for any family that adopts a Heart Gallery of Broward County child from Oct. 5, 2012–Oct. 5, 2013. In fact, the DePasquales recently enjoyed their complimentary dinner at Truluck’s (pictured).

The Heart Gallery of Broward County’s 100th and 101st adoptions represent a great increase in adoptions through the organization. Since the beginning of 2012, there have been 21 finalized adoptions through the organization. There are also a number of pending adoptions.

The event is sponsored by Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crabhouse, The Galleria Mall and AutoNation. During the event, guests will have a chance to win a custom room design and furniture upgrade donated by City Furniture valued at $1000.

“We very much support The Heart Gallery of Broward County and are happy to share in the celebration of their 100th and 101st adoptions,” said Scott Gardiner, general manager of Truluck’s. “Through this event, we encourage families to learn more about adoption and they joy it can bring to everyone involved.”

Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager of The Galleria, said, “We are honored to be a part of this luncheon and The Heart Gallery of Broward County’s accomplishments. This organization has changed many lives, and will continue to change many more.”

The Heart Gallery is displayed in many public places just like an art exhibit, as well as on the organization’s Web site. Every photograph is a vibrant composition taken by a professional media or portrait photographer, and is coupled with a bio card that describes each child’s personality and interests. The Gallery presents an emotional appeal to the community to adopt, volunteer, or donate money or goods.

With the help of The Heart Gallery of Broward County’s photographic displays, ChildNet, a private non-profit agency that handles adoptions from the state system, strives to find loving families for these children. Both agencies have combined efforts to raise money to benefit foster children in Broward County. According to ChildNet’s records, there are 350 teens in licensed foster care in Broward County.  Teens are about 43 percent of all youth in foster care in Broward County, and represent more than half of the children who are currently in The Heart Gallery of Broward County.