Helping to spruce up ChildNet office
Nanci Campbell enjoys making a difference in children’s lives.
Through the BB&T Lighthouse Project, Campbell and about 60 other BB&T associates recently volunteered to help paint murals and furnish seven visitation rooms in ChildNet’s new Fort Lauderdale office.
“The project at ChildNet could not have been more perfect timing for the organization, and it brought back fond childhood memories by painting visitation rooms with popular children’s books,” Campbell said. “I visited since decorating the rooms, and to see the smiles on the children’s faces was so rewarding.”
The annual Lighthouse Project is a way for BB&T employees to give back to the community.
“It feels great to support the worthwhile efforts of the people and organizations in our community that are truly making a positive difference and changing lives for the better every day,” said Jason Aube, Broward County market president.
Volunteers painted different murals based on popular fairy tales, such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Cat in the Hat.”
“Instead of looking like a sterile office, we wanted to make [the rooms] warm and comforting,” said Emilio Benitez, president and CEO of ChildNet, which administers the foster care system in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
BB&T associate Mark Krill helped assemble some chairs and painted storybook characters on the walls. For Krill, volunteering at ChildNet hit “close to home.”
“I was fortunate enough to have others reach out and help me as I came through challenging times as an infant and was adopted myself,” he said.
In addition, the Lighthouse Project was one of five in the country to win $5,000 through the BB&T Spirit Award, which they are donating to ChildNet, Aube said.
Benitez said he plans to use the funds to renovate the playground.
“Whether it is helping to build a home for a deserving family, providing playground equipment in an empty park, supporting our troops abroad or simply helping a foster parent get their home ready for more children, we try to support as many individuals and organizations that are doing their part to make our communities a better place to live,” Aube said.