To kick-off the holiday season, the FIU Law Alumni Association held its Fourth Annual Toy Drive to benefit the children of Kristi House, and no doubt their efforts will brighten the children’s holiday season!
“I’m so proud of our members who came to support Kristi House,” FIU Law Alumni President Jeffrey Molinaro ’10 shared. “This year, there was a special incentive: Robert Scavone Jr. ’12 pledged to match the dollar amount we collected, so with our member’s donations and his generous contribution we raised $1,088.00 for this great organization.”
When asked what was the motivation for his generosity, Scavone Jr., who started the Kristi House initiative in 2012 as a member of the FIU Law Alumni Association board of directors, shared this, “It is a pleasure to support Kristi House, it is a wonderful organization, and the work they do has a meaningful impact on the children in our community.”
But, the giving went beyond the Alumni Association.
Alumna Meliza Frias ’13 wanted to involve her circle of friends in the toy drive. “For the last five years, the Friday after Thanksgiving my friends get together to give grace; two years ago we started collecting toys for underserved children,” she explained. “I work closely with Kristi House and am well aware of the incredible service they provide and the value of their therapeutic work, so this year we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give our donations to Kristi House.”
“These gifts will bring happiness to our children,” Kristi House Program Director Maria Clara Rodriguez shared. “The generosity of the FIU Law Alumni Association is felt throughout Kristi House and we are grateful for the relationship we share with them.”
Along with the annual toy drive, the Alumni Association will be hosting its Second Annual Casino Night Fundraiser. The funds raised will go to support the FIU Law Clinics and Kristi House. For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities for this event, please contact the Alumni Association at lawboard@fiu.edu.
Frias sums up the impact of the toy drive this way, “a toy has the power to put a smile on a grown man’s face, so imagine what it can do for a child with a broken heart? Providing a little bit of happiness to these kids is what makes collecting the toys worthwhile.”
ABOUT KRISTI HOUSE
Kristi House, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization, dedicated to healing and eradicating child sexual abuse. Kristi House operates the Orlowitz-Lee Children’s Advocacy Center responsible for sexual abuse cases in all of Miami-Dade County, population 2.6 million.
PHOTO CAPTION: From left to right: Robert Scavone Jr. ’12, FIU Law Association Immediate-Past President; Maria Clara Rodriguez, Kristi House Project GOLD Program Director; and Jeffrey J. Molinaro ’10, FIU Law Alumni Association President.