PORT ST. LUCIE — Children’s Home Society of Florida, Treasure Coast Division, recently honored Amy Brunjes with the “Dave Thomas Award,” the organization’s single highest honor that it can bestow upon an individual. The award was presented to Brunjes at the 2012 annual meeting, which was held at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 16.
Created in 1982 by the late Dave Thomas, it was his hope that the award would not only recognize those who have made a tremendous impact on the lives of children, but that it would also serve as a catalyst to inspire others to make a difference. The award honors passionate child advocates who have given their time, talent, and financial resources in hopes of creating happier tomorrows for children and families suffering today.
“As an advocate for our community’s most vulnerable children, Amy has stepped up to the platform many times to share our vision and raise awareness for our programs. She is truly a people person who has brought enduring relationships and support to our organization”, explained Jan Swink, Executive Director of Children’s Home Society, Treasure Coast Division.
“We also commend FP&L for lending her dynamic talent to our organization and providing us with continued financial support through grants and corporate sponsorships that support our fundraising events”.
Brunjes, External Affairs Manager at FP&L, joined the Treasure Coast Advisory Board of Directors in 2008 and was a major driving force behind a $5 million capital campaign to build the Youth Transition Center on Children’s Home Society’s Vero Beach campus, which opened in January, 2010. As chair of the Business Outreach Initiative and member of the Capital Campaign Cabinet, she developed and implemented a strategy that brought a personal message to over 10,000 individuals throughout the Treasure Coast.
In addition, she served as a major catalyst to secure grant funding from prestigious foundations that were critical to the campaign’s success and secured in-kind donations of furniture from Rooms To Go and appliances from Jetson’s that were used to furnish nine apartments, a computer lab, several offices and most of the common areas within the center.
The Children’s Home Society of Florida is the sixth largest of more than 1,200 private organizations currently accredited and/or in process of accreditation in North America (U.S. and Canada). The Treasure Coast Division, which is one of 15 divisions in Florida, served 11,607 children and their families in fiscal year 2011 in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
CHS programs are developed to break the cycle of child abuse and provide children and young adults with the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and prepared for life. For more information, visit CHSFL.org or call (772) 344-4020.
