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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (October 25, 2011) – The Bougainvilla House, a new residential facility that offers emotional and financial support to the families of terminally ill children, hosted an exclusive kick-off celebration with celebrity guests Penelope Ann Miller and Dennis Haysbert on Friday, October 21 from 7-9pm.

The Bougainvilla House recently blossomed from the Fort Lauderdale-based HospiceCare of Southeast Florida, Inc., a well-known and respected organization that has served the people of Broward, Dade and Monroe counties for more than 30 years. Continuing the mission to provide care to those in need, The Bougainvilla House will offer transportation, accommodations, meals, bereavement counselors, and therapists to all guests, regardless of their ability to pay.

The private kick-off celebration was held at the waterfront residence of Janet Davis, President and CEO of the new Bougainvilla House, along with Gregory von Hausch, President and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF). Guests, including actor and FLIFF honoree Beau Bridges, enjoyed cocktails, hors d ’oeuvres and live entertainment to celebrate the launch of this special organization.

Celebrity guest Penelope Ann Miller is known for her memorable Gold Globe-nominated role in Carlito’s Way, The Freshman, Penny Marshall’s Awakening, Chaplin, and Kindergarten Cop. Miller’s next project The Artist, a black and white silent film by Weinstein Company, will be released November 23, 2011. The unique film has earned universal kudos at film festivals around the world.

Also joining the celebration was actor Dennis Haysbert who is known not only for his legendary talent, but for having one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood. Haysbert small screen roles include David Palmer in the hit series 24 and Sergeant Major Jones in the drama series The Unit. On the silver screen, Haysbert starred alongside Robert DeNiro in Heat, played Raymond Deagan in Far From Heaven, and even lends his famous voice to character Master Ox in Kung Fu Panda.

Scheduled to break ground in spring 2012, The Bougainvilla House will provide transportation, accommodations, meals, bereavement counselors, and therapists to all guests regardless of their ability to pay. The six million dollar British West Indies style House, designed by Ft. Lauderdale architect Bill Storrs, will feature pet-friendly in-suite rooms, private family rooms, indoor dining and outdoor dining on wide covered verandas overlooking beautiful gardens, a chapel, counseling rooms, the Sun Room, and tropical gardens with gazebos, meditation areas, and walkways paved with remembrance bricks.

The Bougainvilla House

The Bougainvilla House is a 501(C)(3) non-profit that will continue the mission of HospiceCare of Southeast Florida, Inc., as a legacy to the 30 years of providing care to those in need. The Bougainvilla House is located at 309 SE 18^th Street, one block south of Broward General Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information, please call (954) 525-8757 or visit www.TheBougainvillaHouse.com.