One City At A Time Hallandale Beach: The CommUnity Family Field Day and Resource Fair Is This Weekend

When I first met with the Police Activities League and Andre MacDonald of Advise Athletes we envisioned a celebration of the life of Alex “Budda” Collins who started his NFL career in HB PAL, a day of entertainment geared to unity and healing and a gathering of providers that can bring service to all our residents. We set off to plan an event with no funding and only the donation of a location granted by the city commission. We all have been working hard to plan a wonderful day of fun, food, and something for every resident just before the Super Bowl!

The event will be FREE to the public. We will be kicking off with an entertainment lineup including Gospel Singer Annette Hall and three other national groups. There will be a special memorial for “Budda,” a DJ and special guest speakers will be participating throughout the event. A FREE tailgate lunch will be provided while supplies last. The CRA will be giving out our free trees as part of the city’s greening efforts.

Inside we will have a free resource fair where residents will receive a passport. At each table participants will be checked in for a chance to win FREE raffle prizes Including a TV, show tickets, dinners, gift certificates and other free prizes.

One City At A Time is an initiative that is a three-year program to help preventive medical care and much more. Their goal is to provide FREE advice and service that fits their model perfectly. Many service providers including Memorial Health Screenings, Walgreens, YMCA, Kids Care, Water Safety and Drug Prevention including FREE Naloxone.

They are in the second phase of their program to improve the lives of residents. It is not simply about physical health but the needs and issues facing our community. The next two years they will provide all types of partnerships which include Mental Health, jobs, housing, education and all quality-of-life issues.

Many government agencies will be there including Hallandale Hepburn Center, Hallandale Beach CRA, Property Appraiser Office, Broward Housing Authority, Broward Housing Finance, and State Attorney. Broward County Environmental Services, the Supervisor of Elections, Hispanic Unity and other agencies. Many of our residents do not have the ability to speak directly to agencies due to transportation or simply must work during the week. This is your way to find out more.

The following week PAL will be hosting the Annual Comedy Show at Gulfstream's Sport of Kings. This show is always an amazing evening filled with national comedians, buffet dinner and great auction to benefit our Police Activity League PAL. Individual tickets are $50 Dollars and there are other sponsorship opportunities. All the proceeds go to the many sports and initiatives for our local children.

We hope that all our community partners and residents support our PAL. They are always looking for financial support but also volunteers. You can support sports teams like flag football, cheerleading, baseball, basketball and football. They also have activities like cooking, anti-bullying and other classroom activities like arts and crafts. I encourage all residents and partners to volunteer. You can help many students and may change the life of our children. Please visit their Facebook at PAL of Hallandale Beach. You can also reach out to Jonathan Carrillo at: jcarrillo@cohb.org. Or call: (954) 457-1466. Or visit: www.HallandaleBeachPAL.com

As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, concerns and ideas to make our city better! I can be reached at: jcooper@cohb.org. Or: joycooper@aol.com. Or visit me at Facebook Mayor Joy Cooper. You can always call me on my Office Number at: (954)457-1318. Or Call/Text me at: 954-632-5700 Working for you! Always have! Always will!