By Beverly Perkins
The anticipation of this year’s 8th annual “Walk in My Shoes” has had many great events leading up to it including the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce (AMC) Chairman’s Roundtable meeting featuring Florida Senator Lauren Book, and her father Ron Book.
Many business and community leaders attended the luncheon sponsored by FirstService Residential and the law firm of Eisinger, Brown, Lewis, Frankel & Chaiet, P.A. at the Island Club in Williams Island. The event also provided great musical entertainment by Tony Cruz and talented vocalist Cameron Wheeler, one of the Young Stars appearing in the upcoming Aventura Mall YOUNG STARS SHOWCASE presented by Mount Sinai Medical Center and AT&T.
The father- daughter duo was introduced as “two people who have truly changed the lives of thousands”. Senator Lauren Book was elected to the Florida Senate in 2016, is the founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids. The Aventura based 501(c) (3) organization educates adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through awareness campaigns such as the annual walk, in addition to in-school curricula and speaking engagements around the country and the world.
The internationally respected child advocate and bestselling author is now serving as Democratic Leader Pro Tempore, Chair of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, Vice Chair of the Environmental and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, and a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet is currently preparing for the 8th annual “Walk in My Shoes” event this month.
Next, longtime AMC friends applauded the civic efforts of Ron Book, whose lobbying and governmental affairs firm, Ronald L. Book, PA, is consistently ranked as one of Florida’s best. He serves on over 20 community organizations, chairs the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, and is a founding member of his daughter’s non-profit organization, Lauren’s Kids.
“My dad taught me how to be an advocate, and to fight for what’s important and what’s right,” exclaimed Senator Book.
Both Lauren and Ron Book encouraged the community to participate in Lauren’s Kids 8th annual “Walk in My Shoes” statewide 1,500- mile walk kicking off in Key West on Saturday, September 9th with The Miami Walk on September 11th followed by The Broward Walk on September 12th.
The Books concluded by saying, “Join us in creating positive change, making a difference and caring about those who are too young to be able to care for themselves.”
To find out more about Lauren’s Kids, to register for the walk, join the movement, purchase books and/or to donate please visit laurenskids.org/walk or call 786-288-5045.