front: Scott Gardiner (Truluck’s), Kyle DePasquale, Roy DePasquale, Marta DePasquale, Ashley DePasquale, Melissa Milroy Back: Tyler DePasquale, Caitlin DePasquale, Ryan Cronin, Gale Butler

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – During Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crabhouse at The Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s Oct. 5 luncheon benefiting the Heart Gallery of Broward County, attendees not only raised $11,270 for the organization, but also enjoyed delicious cuisine and cocktails, guest speakers and more. Truluck’s hosted the luncheon to celebrate the Heart Gallery’s milestone 100th and 101st adoptions since its 2006 inception.
 
The Heart Gallery of Broward County is a traveling photography exhibit of foster children who are waiting to be permanently adopted.
 
The exclusive sit-down pledge luncheon featured speaker/adoptive mother Marta DePasquale, who with her husband Roy adopted teenage brothers Tyler and Kyle (the Heart Gallery’s 101th and 101st adoptions) in June 2012. DePasquale spoke about the experience of adopting four teenage children (Tyler, Kyle and their two teenage daughters who they adopted together through the Heart Gallery in 2009). Tyler also participated in the luncheon’s program by answering questions about his adoption while on stage and helped to educate attendees on adoption from his perspective as a teenager going through the process.
 
The Galleria Senior Marketing Manager/Heart Gallery Board Member Melissa Milroy and founding Heart Gallery Board Member Drew Greep also spoke at the luncheon.
 
Attendees enjoyed a delicious signature three-course lunch prepared by Truluck’s Head Chef Chi Chan, as well as cocktails. A pledge of $100 or more to the Heart Gallery per person was suggested to attend the luncheon. Truluck’s also challenged donors to pledge $1,000 or more – those who did received a $100 gift card for the restaurant.

Taking their challenge even further, Truluck’s offered to host one complimentary dinner for any family that adopts a Heart Gallery of Broward County child from Oct. 5, 2012–Oct. 5, 2013.

 
All luncheon attendees were entered into a grand prize drawing for a City Furniture consultation and a gift card for new furniture.
 
Event sponsors were Truluck’s, The Galleria and Maroone, an AutoNation company.
 
“We’re very thankful for the support of Truluck’s and all who attended the luncheon,” said Barbara Schechter, executive director of the Heart Gallery of Broward County. “The funds raised will help us change the lives of many foster children in Broward County.”
 
“The luncheon was a great success,” said Scott Gardiner, general manager of Truluck’s. “We at Truluck’s continue to encourage families to learn more about adoption through the Heart Gallery.”

With the help of the Heart Gallery's photographic displays, ChildNet, a private non-profit agency that handles adoptions from the state system, strives to find loving families for these children. Both agencies have combined efforts to raise money to benefit foster children in Broward County.

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