On Dec. 10, 1992, the NHL awarded H. Wayne Huizenga an NHL franchise, later named the Panthers. The Florida Panthers made history Monday night, June 24,2024 in front of more than 19,000 fans at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, beating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 to win their first Stanley Cup. This year marked the Panthers' third time playing for the Stanley Cup. In 2023, the Panthers fell to the Las Vegas Golden Knights and in 1996 to the Colorado Avalanche. South Florida now has one of everything when it comes to titles from the four major pro sports leagues in the U.S. The Miami Dolphins were Super Bowl champions twice, in 1972 (The Perfect Season 17-0) and 1973, the thenFlorida Marlins were World Series champions twice in 1997 and then again in 2003, the Miami Heat have three NBA titles, 2006, 2012 and 2013 and now the Panthers have joined the party. As a business and civic gesture Wayne Huizenga was the principal owner the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and founded the Florida Marlins (MLB) and Florida Panthers (NHL) and the only person to simultaneously own three major sports franchises in history and put South Florida on the sporting world map. COMMUNITY NEWS 38 JULY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Food For The Poor (FFTP), one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pastor Bill Mitchell to its Board of Directors. A respected figure in the Boca Raton, community, Pastor Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to service to his new role. “We are incredibly honored to welcome Pastor Mitchell to our Board of Directors,” FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said. “He will bring a fresh perspective to the board and make a substantial contribution to our organization. His vision aligns with our mission, and we look forward to working together to achieve our goals.” Pastor Mitchell currently serves as Coaching Pastor at Boca Raton Community Church in Boca Raton, a position he transitioned to in 2023 after serving as the lead pastor for 20 years. In his current role, Pastor Mitchell continues to facilitate CityLead, an initiative he founded at Boca Community Church in 2014 when he saw an opportunity for the church to engage South Florida’s business leaders. CityLead brings together more than 300 executives for monthly events focused on developing ethical business practices and challenging professional men and women to transform their communities through the workplace. Pastor Mitchell has traveled to more than 85 countries, giving him a global insight into the unique blend of business and the nonprofit sector. Through WorldLead, a sister organization to CityLead, he has helped to strategically mentor more than 150 leaders in various global nonprofit agencies from over 35 countries. Pastor Mitchell’s involvement with FFTP began shortly after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti when his church contacted the charity for help shipping a prefabricated building to one of the missions it supports in the country. Robin Mahfood, President/CEO at the time and now a member of the FFTP Board of Directors, responded immediately with assistance. “At that point, I knew I wanted to get involved with this organization,” Pastor Mitchell said. That involvement included providing leadership training for FFTP leaders in the United States and leaders from Jamaica, Haiti, and Guyana when they visited FFTP headquarters in Coconut Creek. In addition, Pastor Mitchell, his wife, Elizabeth, and their church became FFTP donors and provided resources to help build five homes in Jamaica. They also supported FFTP when it sent aid to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian struck the island in 2019. In the aftermath of an earthquake striking Haiti in 2021, they supported a medical freight transfer and the construction of five water wells to help in the recovery effort. Pastor Mitchell has spoken at FFTP prayer services and special events, and he’s invited Raine to speak at Boca Raton Community Church. He has also been on numerous mission trips with the charity over the years. During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Boca Raton Community Church was among the local church groups that partnered with FFTP and Matthew 25: Ministries to distribute hardto-find items, such as toilet paper and paper towels, to South Florida families in need. With such a rich history of working with FFTP over the years, Pastor Mitchell said he’s excited about deepening his involvement as a member of the Board of Directors. “When you consider the work that Food For The Poor is doing in Latin America and the Caribbean, it’s just phenomenal,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting the big picture, seeing the more expansive side of it, and helping to broaden its reach and raise greater awareness about its mission.” Food For The Poor does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, visit foodforthepoor.org. Pastor Bill Mitchell Joins Food For The Poor Food For The Poor (FFTP) President/CEO Ed Raine (left) reacts with surprise after receiving a donation from Pastor Bill Mitchell, of Boca Raton Community Church, during a Thankful Thursday service at FFTP headquarters in Coconut Creek, Fla., in 2020. Photo/Food For The Poor Pastor Bill Mitchell Good News, Indeed. In 2017, the Florida Panthers retired H. Wayne Huizenga’s “jersey” #37, which now hangs in the rafters at the arena. The number 37 was selected by the Huizenga family in recognition of Wayne’s birth year and lucky number.
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