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President - Sue Cohen
Sue has lived in Florida for 28 years and has worked in the
Broward County School System for over 10 years with both Special
Needs and Regular Education Students. Sue is a parent advocate
for her disabled son and has been on the Board of Directors of the
Bulldogs for over 9 years.
"The gift my son has given me has opened my eyes to believe,
ALL individuals CAN LEARN in their own SPECIAL way. The
Bulldog Organization has inspired my son to accomplish many
challenges, never thought possible, through their Special Olympics
athletic program, socialization training and special population
dances. I will continue to work with and support this
wonderful organization and my son will continue to LEARN in his own
SPECIAL way."
1st Vice President - Michelle Leonardo
Michelle has been a resident of South Florida for the past 27
years. She has worked in the restaurant industry in all
positions from serving to management. She has been a member of
the Bulldog organization for 6 years.
"I became involved with the Bulldogs after many years of
searching for a place in which my daughter would feel confident and
comfortable with her peers. She has been a Bulldog throughout
her high school years and still enjoys every aspect of it. I
feel as though this organization has become an extension of our
family. I enjoy working with all the wonderful young adults,
whether it be in sports or our Arts & Crafts program. The best
reward in the world is watching the pride they feel when realizing
they have accomplished things that most of the general population
has not given them the chance to experience."
Corresponding Secretary- Amy Hoover
Amy has been a South resident of and on since 1970. She has
a degree in Elementary Education, and has been an active volunteer
in her children's schools and various activities for many years.
Currently, she works part time at her husband's dental office.
She and her husband, Randy, immediately became involved with the
Bulldog organization when their son joined over 7 years ago.
We encouraged our son, Austin, to pursue a variety of interests
since he was very young. But, very few things actually clicked
with him. Before we found the Bulldogs, he spent many hours
each day in front of the television. After he joined the
Bulldogs he was interested in all of their activities and his self
confidence grew tremendously. He enjoyed his new friends and
has maintained an active social lifve since. The Bulldog
organization is a great place for our special needs individuals to
be themselves, and learn to live up to their potential.
Recording Secretary - Alexis Newjahr
Treasurer/Fundraising - Bob Cohen
Bob has been a resident of Broward County since 1976 and involved
with Children's Charities since 1966. Bob is an accountant and
tax preparer with a "speciality" of helping the Special Needs
Community get the most benefits allowable by law. Bob has
served as Bulldog treasurer and fundraising director for 9 years.
He is the head coach for the Bulldogs & Special Olympics golf
program and has run the highly successful "Bulldog" Golf Tournament
for 6 years. Bob is a member of the Knights of Pythias. "I have always had an uncanny ability to raise money and love
running fundraising events, which allows our organization to offer
all types of activities to our special 'kids.' Watching these
young adults mature and reach goals we never thought were possible
gives me goosebumps each time one of them reaches a new level.
These special individuals, their achievements, their failures, and
their triumphs are my reason for being involved -- now and forever."
Director: Social Events - Lois Filcman
"My daughter Jamie has special needs. In
the past I have volunteered for such organizations as ARC, Easter
Seals, and March of Dimes. I have been a board member of the
Bulldogs for 7 years, which has given me the opportunity to see
first-hand the major impact this organization has on these young
adults. Through sports and social opportunities, these young
men and women have grown and matured into active participants in the
community. Many come to us having been neglected both
emotionally and physically. We show these people through love
and support that they are very important when no one else has."
Director: Sports- Ted Goldberg
Karen L. Roberts
Karen L. Roberts has been a City Commissioner since
1997 and has lived in Tamarac since 1980. She has been
involved with various community organizations through the years.
She is an education liaison for the City Commission, and became
aware of the Bulldogs a number of years ago when they needed to find
a new home. Proudly, they chose Tamarac and we welcome them
with open arms!
"The Bulldog Organization has shown me how
dedicated people can make a difference. It has been my
pleasure and honor to be able to help such a great volunteer
organization. These young adults have made both the City of
Tamarac, and me, very proud of their accomplishments."
Andrea Friedman, M. Ed.
Andrea has spent the last two decades dedicating her
career to people with disabilities. She served as Assistant
Director of Residential Services for The Association for the Help of
Retarded Children of New York City before moving to South Florida in
January 2000. Ms. Friedman currently has her own business,
Advocates in Motion, P.A. that provides case management services,
training, behavior management and family counseling. Andrea
has a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a Masters Degree
in Mental Health Counseling from Northeastern University. Ms.
Friedman is a Kennedy Mentor Fellow and a published author and
public speaker on a variety of topics related to and for people with
disabilities.
"I love working with the Bulldog membership
because they are a GREAT bunch of kids. But more importantly,
I enjoy working with them because of their openness to learn, their
attempt to listen to each other, and the commitment they have for
each other as members of the Bulldogs organization. I continue
to be amazed by what each participant of our Social Skills Group has
to offer, not only to each other, but to recognize what potential
they have to offer themselves. It is my honor to be associated
with this organization."
Past Mayor Joe Schrieber
The Honorable Joe Schrieber, Past Mayor of the City of
Tamarac since 1997, is extremely supportive of the Bulldogs
Organization. He states, "These children and young adults
deserve better. Our city is quite supportive of the Bulldogs'
efforts. These wonderful individuals don't have the advantages
I would like to see them have. Therefore, our city will
continue to help this organization in their quest to create better
lives for its participants. Our goal is to help them achieve a
more normal life."
Melany Moreno
Linda Flack
Stan Hinden
Stan completed college and entered the U.S. Navy
during the Korean War. He retired from the Navy as a Commander
after twenty years of active duty. He then pursued a second
career for twenty years with the Broward School System as a Physics
teacher and High School Administrator and retired for the second
time in 1993.
As a parent whose oldest child Laura was diagnosed
at the age of four as Developmentally Disabled, he and his family
had always been active with their local Developmental Disability
support groups. In the mid '90s he was appointed by Florida's
Governor to the Family Care Council, a legislated committee that had
oversight over the Developmentally Disabled population in specific
areas throughout Florida. Stan served for six years as
chairperson of Broward County's Family Care Council.
Stan and his wife Joan believe that participation in
Bulldogs sports and social activities has added a new dimension to
Laura's development. Interaction in Bulldog events takes place
in an environment where she is completely accepted as being what she
is.
Commissioners:
Harry Dressler
Patricia Atkins-Grad
"Your organization is very worthwhile and
holds a special place in my heart."
Ed Portner
Marc Sultanoff
Parent
Olga Paese
"As a parent of a 15 year old
autistic girl, it was like a prayer was answered when the Bulldogs
introduced themselves at my daughter's school. My daughter
used to stay in her room to entertain herself, peer pressure at
school left her with little self esteem-now she looks forward to the
scheduled events. She constantly remarks how nice and friendly
everyone at the Bulldogs is-she doesn't feel different. My
favorite was watching her face light up when a boy at a dance told
her she was beautiful. We both are looking forward to
continued years with the Bulldogs."
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