Shining A Light

Launching its first program, Adopt-a-Meal, at Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2010, the Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF) has grown leaps and bounds since its establishment in Miami by Robert Sena, Aaron Resnick and Charlie Venturi, in January of that year.

To date, LLF has impacted the lives of more than 3,400 underserved children (of all ages) benefiting from 24 proprietary programs (with 33 partner facilities) across South Florida.

In 2004, Sena moved from New York City to Miami and operated the Miami chapter of his favorite NYC-based organization, Project Sunshine. In 2010, he decided it was in the best interest of the facilities and children he served in the Miami area to create — with his partners — an organization based and operated in South Florida — the Little Lighthouse Foundation.

“While waiting to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we approached Ronald McDonald House, our first beneficiary,” explains Sena, 47, a business owner who spends his winters in Miami and summers in Europe. “We threw a gala, Hearts and Stars, and netted $12,000 the first year.

“In the beginning, I was still volunteering until we were able (through donations, our annual Gala and other fundraisers) to raise more money to support a staff. Now we have several hundred volunteers, a staff and Jonathan Babicka is our fantastic executive director.”

Recurring Programs, held weekly and monthly at LLF’s partner facilities, include Activity Hour, Story Hour, Move & Groove, Craft Night and the popular Adopt-a-Meal, where volunteers serve meals to the families of children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Specialty Programs, which occur during holidays and specific times of the year, include Back to School, Children’s Halloween Party and Holiday Toy Distribution.

“LLF is my opportunity to give back to those who don’t have the advantages that I had,” Sena expresses. “Partner facility Chapman Partnership helps the homeless; Lotus House is a shelter for battered women and their children.”

He attends Specialty Programs like the Children’s Halloween Party (when he’s in town) and is most proud of LLF’s December Holiday Toy Distribution, sponsored by Hasbro.

“The children pick out a few gifts,” he points out. “We also save some toys for the children in hospitals.”

Looking ahead, Sena hopes to expand to more facilities in South Florida, add more volunteers and help more children. “They’re so grateful.”

For more information about the Little Lighthouse Foundation, call 786-890-6854 or visit thelittlelighthouse.org.