Truly Amazing

One of the wonderful things about life is that you never know whom you are going to meet or who is going to walk through your door. At any given moment, it could be that next “incredible” model.  And so, begins my story of Kameren Jade.

Born and bred in Mississippi, gifted with the “girl next door” look, this tall, slender, beauty will bewitch you with her Southern charm. 

But don’t let that fool you, she was taught early in life by her father, to be able to take care of herself and be independent.

 Sweet and caring, Kameren is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. A practicing registered nurse, she constantly cares for those less fortunate than herself. 

  

Always wanting to improve, it is her goal to become a nurse practitioner so that she can do more to help the sick and needy.

 KJ loves children and animals.  What is most amazing is that this woman has given birth to, and is raising four children. This is despite her working as a nurse and a model. Incredibly she also manages to find time to horseback ride and go to work out at the gym.

So that’s the complete package…beauty, brains, and a wonderful heart and soul.

This girl is going to go far in life!

Moving Together For Arthritis

Guest Blogger... 

                                                Brooke Vacker  

The “Arthritis Walk” raises money and creates awareness each year to fight the nation’s leading cause of disability. The community takes a stand and “moves together” to help prevent and treat this serious and painful disease by raising funds for research to find a cure.

       

Walkers participate for the benefit of friends or family members with arthritis. Walkers with arthritis wear blue hats as a sign of their commitment to take control of their condition. The event features both a three-mile and a one-mile course. There is arthritis information and activities for the entire family. Dog owners are encouraged to bring their dogs to participate in the event.

Arthritis can be painful and debilitating and not only affects the elderly, but also, children early in life. This project made me aware of the suffering so many other people experience in their daily lives just to function. While conducting my service project I learned of the strength that is within so many people, that enables them to cope with chronic pain. I also felt good about what I was doing and the act made me feel good about myself.

 

Taking images of the event allowed me to meet countless new people and I discovered how many people want to contribute “something” to those less fortunate. The number of people who I found want to help is inspiring. The event also allowed me to strengthen my family ties. My father was proud that I wanted to help him out and participate in the event. People my age tend only to be concerned with our immediate surroundings. We are wrapped up in ourselves and unaware and not concerned about the suffering of others or the struggles people with chronic illnesses have to endure.

 

"Alligator" Ron Bergeron, Emeritus Honorary Chair is a successful entrepreneur, rodeo competitor and runner who never strays far from his "country" roots the town of Davie. Mr. Bergeron suffered from severe arthritis for more than 8 years and had to have a joint replacement. He knows first hand what people suffering from arthritis have to go through.

 

Town of Davie Mayor Judy Paul, Community Honorary Chair is an award winning retired Broward County educator.  Mayor Paul lives with arthritis and has had a knee replacement due to this disease. Mayor Paul understands the mission and believes in the difference the Arthritis Foundation is making in the lives of people and children living with arthritis. A proponent of the preservation of our environment, Ms. Paul has worked tirelessly to assure that preservation of Davie’s historic roots and open space.

Participating in events such as The Arthritis Foundation Walk helps to develop a sensitivity towards others, community spirit, and citizenship. Joining the 2013 Arthritis Walk, you become part of “Let's Move Together”, a nationwide community that encourages people to prevent or treat arthritis through movement.

THE OFFICE PICNIC: FAMILY STYLE

An office picnic is more than just a way to get outside, enjoy the weather and chomp down on some good food. 

It's a chance for employees to become more familiar with one another in a casual environment and without the pressures of the workplace. 

Office picnics are an effective way to help employees work on team building in the beauty of the outdoors and a relaxed atmosphere.

The American picnic "fantasy" has been described as a happy family on a warm summer day beneath the limbs of an old oak tree. 

A red-and-white-checked cloth on the greenest grass.

 A wooden picnic basket filled with crisply fried chicken, potato salad with bites of crunchy yellow pepper and sweet red onion, plus a creamy cabbage coleslaw. 

Finally, gooey brownies for desert.

This “fantasy” was reality for the employees of Family Central this Holiday Season.  

The unforgettable event at Quiet Waters Park conveyed a sense of freedom in being outdoors together and the simple pleasure of eating a “family-style” meal under the open sky.

It was the perfect bonding time for the Family Central family; warm weather, beautiful nature and quality time with co-workers. 

It was the perfect moment to share a meal with fellow employees.  It was the time in which happy memories, which will last a lifetime, were created. 

The picnic activity included teams from Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade competing for first place in “the games”.  

But, the most important thing was for the “whole family” to have fun - this was the main purpose of the Holiday picnic.

Sports are awesome!

Only about 5 percent of high school athletes continue to play in college.  No more than 1 percent of high school athletes, representing just the top layer of national-caliber players, get full scholarships. Why are sports so awesome?

Attitude:

Each one of us has to make a choice every morning when we wake up…appreciate life or grumble about it.  Sports teach us that attitude is everything. The “athletic mindset” says that batting .300 is awesome…even though that means you’ve struck out seven out of ten times. 

Authenticity:

Sports shows athletes that they can be super competitive…and their teammates will still be friends with them; that they can be goofballs…without being budged; that they can be their nerdy… studying on the bus while everyone else is watching a movie…and their teammates will still respect them.  Sport teaches athletes to be comfortable in their own skin.

Well rounded:

We need to encourage young folks to play multiple sports.  In order to lessen the repetitive motion injuries that occur, as well as to increase the fun of sports, we should go back to encouraging participation in multiple sports.  Play field hockey in the fall, basketball in the winter, and run track in the spring. 

Healthy living:

Setting goals, learning to work with others, and being a part of something bigger than themselves are all hallmarks of sports teams. Our children can learn to love working out, eating healthy and to enjoy living life in a balanced manner.

Love it:

Many kids turn into student-athletes at small, liberal arts colleges where athletes can sometimes make up 25 to 40 percent of the student population.  Those colleges don’t offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer a student who loves their sport and values their education a place to compete and excel.

Future success:

Learning to lead is just one of the fabulous benefits of sports participation. Girls who play sports are more likely to be successful in their future endeavors. 

“Mark Vacker is a thrill to work with! Makes you feel at ease and really knows how to capture your good side. His studio is fun to work in and he is great at catching you in the right angles. I look forward to working with him again in the future.” – Arielle Newnam