Molina Healthcare of Florida recently celebrated the good deeds of six community heroes at its fifth annual Community Champions Awards. This year’s honorees included Wellington resident Thomas Benjamin, the founder of Face It Athletics, a volunteer led and run organization that helps improve the quality of life of economically challenged communities by utilizing programs and services that focus on academic improvement, community outreach and athletic and fitness training.
Over the past eight years, Benjamin has seen that mission achieved through multiple athletic events that are held in the community throughout the year. These events feature workshops for youth about bullying and cyber bullying, emphasize education and personal safety, and offer mentoring through an NBA pro-am basketball tournament and camp. The profits from the events fund scholarships for middle and high school students. More than 20 scholarships totaling more than $10,000 have been distributed over the past eight years.
“We are proud to recognize Thomas as a community champion,” said David Pollack, president of Molina Healthcare of Florida. “His dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to help local youth improve their health and well-being is inspirational and has made a significant impact in our community.”
The Community Champions program celebrates the vision of Dr. C. David Molina, the founder of Molina Healthcare, as well as community partners who work together to care for society’s most vulnerable individuals. Each community champion was nominated by a community-based organization and also received a $1,000 grant to give to a deserving nonprofit organization of his/her choice. Benjamin will donate his grant to Face It Athletics.
The Community Champions dinner was held at the Signature Grand with an invocation by Rev. Juana Jordan and entertainment by Minister Bailey and the Voices.
Molina Healthcare Inc. provides quality and cost-effective Medicaid-related solutions to meet the healthcare needs of low-income families and individuals and to assist state agencies in their administration of the Medicaid program. For more information, visit www.molinahealthcare.com.
ABOVE: (L-R) Molina Healthcare Regional Vice President Glen Bogner, Community Champion Thomas Benjamin and Molina Healthcare of Florida President David Pollack.
