LTC 037-2013 Ronald McDonald House Charities Twelve Good Men for 2013 M I AM I B EAC H
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 2013 FEB -7 Psi 3: 3 j
NO. LTC# 037-2013 REE�TT�R;_T MMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager
DATE: February 6, 2013
SUBJECT Ronald McDonald House Charities' "Twelve Good Men" for 2013
The purpose of this Letter To Commission is to inform you that our very own Julio Magrisso,
Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department and longtime resident of Miami
Beach, has been named by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, as one of
"Twelve Good Men", joining outstanding past honorees from our community, including Dan
Gelber, Judge Ivin Cypen, Craig Robbins and Michael Aller.
Julio is being recognized for his over 20 years of community and public service to the children
of the greater Miami-Dade County community, and more specifically for his implementation of
the City of Miami Beach Surf Camp for Children with Autism. His involvement began as a
mentor and coach to Miami Beach neighborhood children. In the 1990's, while working in
finance and management, he coached hundreds of our community's children in Little League
baseball and later became an Assistant Coach for the Miami Beach High School baseball
team. Beginning in September of 2001, Julio served as Co-Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Programs Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee, and later a member of the Youth Center Advisory
Board and the Parks & Recreation Facilities Advisory Board.
In December of 2002, Julio joined the City in his capacity as Assistant Director of the Parks
and Recreation Department. A television documentary in early 2008 inspired him to create a
Surf Camp for children with Autism in collaboration with Dr. Michael Alessandri from the
University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
(UM-NSU CARD). The camp, now entering its sixth year, has proven popular with the kids and
the parents, who often cry upon witnessing their children "ride a wave". As the first program of
its kind on the east coast of the United States, the camp gets national and local media
coverage and is considered a model for other inclusive experiences.
Founded in 1981, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) finds and supports
programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global
network of local Chapters in 54 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald
McDonald House @, Ronald McDonald Family Room@ and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile @,
provide stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and
happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give
children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better.
RMHC of South Florida also awards grants to local not-for-profit organizations serving children
through a portion of donations from McDonald's customers and Global Ronald McDonald
House Charities matching grants.
The Twelve Good Men Awards Luncheon, scheduled for March 7, 2013, at Jungle Island is
the premier fundraiser to benefit The Ronald McDonald House@ Charities of South Florida.
The purpose of the event is to honor leading men with a history of outstanding community
involvement; civic service; and involvement. In Miami, The Ronald McDonald House is a 27
bedroom house where families of seriously ill children, who are being treated at nearby
pediatric hospitals, can stay in a safe and loving environment during their medical crisis. Many
of these families travel great distances to obtain medical treatment for their children and are in
need of a place to stay that offers a loving environment. Attached is information including a
complete listing of the 2013 honorees and more on the luncheon.
c: Max A. Sklar,Acting Assistant City Manager
Kevin Smith, Parks&Recreation Director
KGB/MAS/KS
Attachment
F:\RCPA\$ALL\Previous\KEVIN\LTCs-2013\LTC-Honoree-Ronald McDonald House.docm
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