Meet the six South Florida philanthropists who’re making an actual influence, not simply by giving, however by driving constructive change.
Ira Baer
CFO, Baer’s Furnishings
On changing into a philanthropist:
Philanthropy is in my blood. It began with my grandparents, Melvin and Lucille Baer. Since opening the primary Baer’s retailer in 1945, they’ve been a shining instance of being beneficiant and giving again to your neighborhood. I primarily contribute to Jewish and most cancers analysis organizations, however there are lots of different teams I’ve supported via the years, since 1989. At Baer’s Furnishings, I take the lead on our household’s company giving.
It’s Near Dwelling:
My dedication to supporting cancer-related causes stems from a deeply private expertise—my brother is a most cancers survivor. Witnessing his journey firsthand opened my eyes to the immense challenges confronted by sufferers and their households. It additionally underscored the crucial want for developments in most cancers analysis and improved entry to care.
Collaboration & Cooperation:
We’ve got collaborated with lots of our distributors who take pleasure in collaborating in our efforts. Volunteering my time is part of my every day and weekly schedule, as it’s for most of the Baer Household. From sponsorships to matching efforts and even issues so simple as handing out water bottles or meals at charity biking/working fundraisers, it’s thrilling to have our whole Baer’s group be a part of the hassle.
Ann Monis
CEO, Transformative Healthcare Options
On changing into a philanthropist:
When my household immigrated to the U.S. from Israel, I used to be 9 years previous. We arrived with nothing, crammed right into a one-bedroom residence with seven relations. My single mom labored a number of jobs, but we confronted hardships, dwelling with out medical health insurance, meals safety or primary wants. By 12, I labored to assist our family. These struggles instilled resilience and a dedication to make sure others don’t face comparable challenges and impressed me to ascertain the Florida Psychological Well being Coalition, which improves entry to psychological well being providers, and to help organizations just like the Boys & Ladies Membership to deal with crucial neighborhood wants.
It’s private:
As a pre-teen volunteering at shelters, I met a boy my age who, regardless of enduring neglect and abuse in foster care, dreamed of enjoying within the NFL. After ageing out of the system, he confronted homelessness and substance abuse and took his personal life. This loss deeply impacted me, reinforcing how important love, stability, and help are for susceptible populations. Later, whereas constructing houses for underserved households, I witnessed how protected areas restore dignity and hope. These experiences gas my ardour for psychological well being advocacy and supporting underserved communities right now.
How do you measure the influence of your philanthropic efforts?
Measuring influence on the Florida Psychological Well being Coalition (FMHC) combines metrics like people served and recidivism discount with private tales of transformation. For instance, trauma-informed care helped a police officer course of a baby’s drowning, stopping long-term emotional hurt. Equally, constant remedy broke a younger man’s cycle of incarceration, enabling him to thrive and contribute to his neighborhood. Success is present in each life healed, cycle damaged, and alternative created via our work.
Sharon Gustafson-Florescue
Proprietor & CEO, Sharon Enterprises LLC
On changing into a philanthropist:
I’ve been concerned in quite a few charities since 1970 after I first moved to South Florida. Each my father and my late husband, Barry Florescue, handed away far too early at ages 70 and 73, one from leukemia and the opposite from diabetes, kidney most cancers and a uncommon blood dysfunction. Whereas I contribute to many various charities, this was what impressed me to turn out to be extra concerned in supporting charities targeted on most cancers on a extra substantial foundation.
Therefore, the Basis:
My husband was a powerful believer in training and began the Florescue Household Basis, of which I’m president. On the Basis, we donate to many charities that foster academic alternatives for youngsters in addition to charities trying to find cures for cancers. I presently sit on the board of the Royal Dames of Most cancers Analysis, which helps most cancers analysis at Nova Southeastern College in hopes of discovering a remedy. I’m proud to say we’re a million-dollar charity this 12 months.
And in her spare time:
I actively help Junior Achievement, co-founded the Circle of Clever Ladies, and was honored as their “WOW” Lady in 2022. The Basis backs occasions like Uncorked, Glam-A-Thon, and causes equivalent to Boys & Ladies Golf equipment, Joe DiMaggio Youngsters’s Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity, pushed by a ardour for bettering lives via training, well being, and housing. Whether or not it’s discovering a remedy for a devastating illness, providing a baby a chance for a greater training, or constructing a house for a much less lucky household with Habitat for Humanity, it looks like I’ve achieved all of it!
Jennifer Starkey
Senior Vice President/Regional Vice President , TD Financial institution
On changing into a philanthropist:
At a younger age, I witnessed the kindness of strangers. My mom, a younger single mother with two kids and one other on the best way, confronted robust occasions. She labored as a financial institution teller and acquired clothes, meals and help from coworkers, prospects, and the neighborhood. She additionally volunteered with the junior ladies’s membership and raised cash to assist others. Rising up surrounded by such acts of philanthropy, I knew I wished to comply with this path of giving. As quickly as I began working, nearly 40 years in the past, I participated in our worker giving marketing campaign, giving to United Means. After having our household, I additionally noticed the significance of not solely giving of treasure but in addition of time and expertise. I attempt to volunteer or serve on a board or committee with every group for which I’ve a ardour along with the financial contribution.
However it extends past cash…:
Actual help consists of the sharing of time, expertise, and treasure. And all through my life, there have been occasions after I might give extra expertise and time than treasure. All are important to a not-for-profit’s success. After I served on the board of the Nationwide Affiliation of Ladies Business House owners, I had the pleasure of going to Washington, DC, to talk to congressional representatives and senators concerning the wants of women-owned companies which included entry to capital, know-how enhancements, and tax and reporting aid. Moreover, it was a pleasure to talk to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to recommend extra methods to get the phrase out on the programming and funding alternatives for enterprise homeowners provided by the SBA.
Phrases of knowledge to aspiring givers:
I at all times say if you will give your money and time, it ought to be to a company that’s doing work you care about. My daughter Samantha is simply beginning her profession after finishing her superior levels in public well being, however she wished to begin on her philanthropic journey. She loves animals, so she utilized and was accepted to turn out to be a volunteer on the Miami-Dade Humane Society. I’m so pleased with her for persevering with the household custom of giving again.
Giuliana Hirshson
Vice President, PNC Investments
On being a philanthropist:
I help a number of causes, together with the Royal Dames of Most cancers Analysis, Gradual Burn Theatres and Beaux Arts Fort Lauderdale. Within the case of Gradual Burn Theatres, the influence they make in the neighborhood extends past the stage by offering helpful employment alternatives for native actors, designers and artists, fostering inventive progress in South Florida. Via outreach applications equivalent to senior workshops with $10 present tickets, sensory-friendly performances for neurodivergent audiences, and particular pricing for college students, Gradual Burn ensures the humanities are accessible to all, making dwell theater an inclusive and enriching expertise for your entire neighborhood.
Giving time in addition to cash:
Royal Dames of Most cancers Analysis is a nonprofit which is all volunteers.?Figuring out that the volunteers’ arduous work helps to lift funds brings me the satisfaction of realizing that we’re giving again to society and, hopefully quickly, to the world. It was based by a bunch of girls who believed the remedy for most cancers might solely be discovered via analysis and commenced to help the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute, now positioned at NSU. RGI’s patented therapeutics are exhibiting nice promise in treating many kinds of most cancers and most just lately, Glioblastoma. We proceed the founder’s legacy by having fundraising occasions all year long.
The artwork of the matter:
At Beaux Arts, all of us volunteer to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the humanities. Beaux Arts helps Museum on the Transfer, an modern new training program that brings 6,000+ Broward County sixth graders to NSU Artwork Museum Fort for an interactive tour and studying expertise. Beaux Arts additionally hosts an annual Spring Honoree Luncheon to assist garner help for future artwork training initiatives at NSU Artwork Museum. We help the museum by contributing to its ongoing operations and?enhancing its academic programming and outreach. Via our formal fundraisers and casual actions, we type friendships and have enjoyable whereas pursuing our targets.
Danielle Gaudreau
Designer, The Fairly Nomad
On changing into a philanthropist:
Style has at all times been my method of empowering and connecting with others, but it surely by no means felt proper to focus solely on myself. Time, to me, is much extra helpful than cash, and I dedicate as a lot of it as I can to causes that actually matter. My focus is on fostering self-worth, offering alternatives, and supporting training—serving to others notice their potential and creating significant change on the planet. I’ve been actively concerned in philanthropy since I used to be a youngster, pushed by the assumption that true success comes from giving again.
What it’s all about:
A problem I’ve seen within the areas I help is that there’s by no means sufficient. “Will shelters ever be a thing of the past, or will there always be homeless dogs?” “Will cancer ever be a thing of the past?” “When will all children finally have equal opportunities, regardless of their background?” These questions weigh closely as a result of the necessity is fixed and infrequently overwhelming. That’s why I hold pushing to do the whole lot I can to make even the smallest distinction.
Strolling the stroll:
Past monetary contributions, I set up rescue efforts, host occasions, mentor others, and use my platforms to lift consciousness. It’s about what you do when nobody is watching, the connections you construct and the relentless dedication to creating even the smallest distinction in bettering the world.
Phrases of inspiration:
Lengthy-term, I hope to create a ripple impact—a motion the place people are empowered to uplift others and advocate for the causes they consider in. I need to encourage individuals to take that first step, as a result of step one is at all times the toughest. However when you begin, you’ll notice?this?is what it’s all about—exhibiting up, making a distinction, and realizing that even the smallest actions can create lasting change.
