GoodNews Florida

OUT AND ABOUT 14 DECEMBER 2017 Good News • Broward Edition t aw o e on sale n r ets a kcTi c istmasTi rCh .com setk Football, food and philan- thropy came together for a cause as Miami Dolphins leg- ends joined forces with top local chefs at this year’s John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival pre- sented by the University of Miami Health System. Nearly 3,000 attendees spent the day indulging in signature grilled dishes, while raising $80,000 to benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation. Chef David Hackett from the Biltmore Hotel and Louis Oliver clinched the title of this year’s 2017 Judge’s Choice Champion with their Grilled Pork Belly and Jelly with Pork Rind. Guests also got in on the action as they voted for their favorite recipes. Chef Rey De La Osa from Publix Apron’s Cooking School in Plantation and Mark Duper walked away as the 2017 Fan Favorite Champions for their Andouille Burgers with Remoulade. All net proceeds from the event benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, which directs funds to organizations that “Feed the Needs of Those in Crisis.” Over the past eight years, this annual tradition has raised nearly $500,000 for OHOF’s charitable recipients, including Here’s Help, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Associ- ation, Miami Dolphins Founda- tion and Taste of the NFL. Fans and Foodies Raise $80,000 at Gridiron Grill-Off Left to Right: Miami Dolphins legend Louis Oliver and 2017 Judges’ Choice Winner Chef David Hackett of Biltmore Hotel with event founder John Offerdahl. For the second year in a row, all 500+ Firewall Centers’ students and their Firewall Mentors participated in the Op- eration Christmas Child Proj- ect. They packed 113 shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies for children around the world who are af- fected by war, poverty, and nat- ural disaster. Beyond packing the box, Firewall’s low-income students learned about the im- portance of giving back to those in need. Ethan and Elijah Clark, two Firewall students at North Side Elementary School, learned about Operation Christmas Child at their Center and how each Firewall Mentor group would be putting together gifts to send to children in need. The next day, they came in with bags full of gifts! Their mentor says that they normally don’t jump to participate in activities, so they were proud of how the boys immediately responded to serving. Ethan and Elijah are so excited to give back to other kids around the world. Last year, thanks to a tracking label, Firewall students discovered that their 70+ boxes went to children in Chad, Africa. This year, Firewall will bless 113 children on Christ- mas Day. Firewall Center Students Pack Christmas Shoeboxes Two boys - Elijah Clark and Ethan Clark , Firewall Elementary School students