ABOVE VIDEO: Malak Hammad has done much for the community, while being an inspiration to those that know her.
Known For Laser-Sharp Focus To Solve Whatever Task Is Ahead For the Charity She Is Helping
You better have some time to spare if you ask Malak Hammad’s many fans about her volunteer work.
“I could talk about her for hours,” said Bob Barnes, founder of the Children’s Hunger Project, one of the many charities Hammad supports.
“Malak has been one of the powerhouse board members of our charity for many years. Her efforts and guidance have been instrumental in helping the hungry and undernourished kids we serve.”
Hammad has a soft spot for underdogs because she, too, was once an underdog. One of 11 children of a Muslim family that left Palestine to chase the American dream, Hammad tried committing suicide after her parents married her off to a much older man while she was still in high school.
Her family’s reaction to her suicide attempt was a beating from her brothers for bringing shame upon the family.
Hammad, fearing for her life, fled her oppressive background to start life anew on her own in California. Unfortunate circumstances continued plaguing her life and her second marriage, which produced a son and a daughter, was fraught with abuse and ended in divorce.
As a single parent struggling to feed her family, she completed her education and made her way up in the banking industry, starting as a teller. She is now vice president and branch manager for PNC Bank’s Baytree/Viera office.
MALAK’S MEDICAL & DENTAL WARRIORS
Her precious free time is spent helping others through work with organizations such as Children’s Hunger Project, for which she has served as treasurer.
Hammad is also president of Be Kind Brevard/No Bully Zone, chair of Women of Excellence Council of the Melbourne Regional Chamber, treasurer of Women in Defense, vice chair of Brevard Family Partnership and president and CEO of Malak’s Medical & Dental Warriors, the nonprofit Hammad launched to help individuals with serious facial or dental issues that are financially impossible for them to address.
She has also been involved with Brevard Zoo and Devereux and as president of the South Guild of the Women’s Center. She is a winner of the 2015 Jefferson Award, which celebrates achievement in public service, and earned Chamber Volunteer of the Year in 2014.
Hammad was named one of the Women of Achievement for her outstanding achievement and high ethical conduct in business and civic life. Hammad was the keynote speaker for the 2014 Salvation Army gala.
Fans like Barnes refer to Hammad’s laser-sharp focus to solve whatever task is ahead for the charity she is helping, as well as her eternal approachability and willingness to serve.
Although she excels in her demanding full-time career, she seems to carve more than 24 hours from each day in order to take on tasks traditionally performed by full-time volunteers.
“She has done much for our community while being an inspiration to those that know her,” added Barnes.
ABOUT THE 2015 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. Also announced today was the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement.
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created six years ago by Maverick Multimedia, publisher of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily, to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community. TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved. TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fund raising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2015 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2015 edition of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Sponsors
The first Gala was held in 2010 and is produced by Brevard Productions.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• Brevard Family Partnership
• Brevard Neighborhood Coalition
• Brevard Special Olympics – Debbie Spence
• Lila Buescher
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Childrens Hunger Project
• Circles of Care
• Ginger Davis
• Cove Merchants Association
• Dr. Brian Dowdell
• Early Learning Coalition of Brevard
• Betsy Farmer
• Darcia Jones-Francey
• Harris Corp. Foundation
• Malak Hammad
• John & Cynthia Handley
• John Harper
• Mike & Stephanie Haridopolos
• Sheriff Wayne Ivey
• Robert Jordan
• Dr. John Lovejoy Jr. & Dr. John Lovejoy III
• Victor Luebker
• Rita Pritchett
• David Schmitt
• Oscar & Turney Sieveking
• The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Anthony Catanese.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health FirstPalm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
Dr. Jim Palermo
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“For the sixth consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 42 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of Space Coast Medicine Week, a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, Brighthouse Networks, Wuesthoff Health System, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Pain Institute, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.
Giles Malone
“We would like to thank our long list of sponsors who support the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards and who make this wonderful event possible,” said Giles Malone, a partner with Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.
COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES
Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
Tom Palermo
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Maverick Multimedia President & Publisher Tom Palermo.
“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mailMaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com
ABOVE MAP:The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
“I could talk about her for hours,” said Bob Barnes, founder of the Children’s Hunger Project, one of the many charities Hammad supports.
