In Britney’s memory, her family has established a non profit organization called Be Like Brit; whose mission is to serve the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing and sustainable orphanage in an environment where they can grow, learn & thrive. Your donation can help keep Brit’s spirit alive by bringing joy, opportunity and voice, to children in need. Be Like Brit is an official U.S. Non-Profit Organization 501(c)(3). Tax ID #27-1857525.
BLB Star Award
2012 Recipients
Architect Paul Fallon has been there for Cherylann and Len since Cherylann’s first trip into Haiti. Paul accompanied Len to look at the land that we eventually purchased, and designed the building with the help of his team from TROJ JB. He is known as the “keeper of the B” and has traveled to Haiti 2 weeks of every month in 2012 to oversee construction of Brit’s orphanage.
Alan Roseberry has made a huge commitment to help Be Like Brit, taking 5 trips to Haiti and spending a total of over 6 weeks in a 2 year period! Alan designed and installed all of the plumbing for the 17 bathrooms in Brit’s orphanage and we couldn’t be more thankful for his support!
Granite City Electric is one of Be Like Brit’s major contributors and has donated all of the electrical tubing, wires and accessories for the Be Like Brit orphanage!
Steve Helle is President of Granite City Electric and has stepped up by holding several very successful fundraisiers for Be Like Brit, including an event at Fenway Park and a golf tournament. Recently, he helped Be Like Brit acquire a 60,000kw generator that will help power Brit’s orphanage!
Greg Smith has made an incredible commitment to Be Like Brit and has traveled down to Haiti on 3 separate trips to help wire Brit’s orphanage! Greg has also been instrumental in working with manufacturers to get much of the electrical supplies donated!
2011 Recipient
John Steiner went over and above to help the Gengels right from the beginning of the crisis. He helped design the first Be Like Brit website with our son Bernie, and created several moving videos to help spread the word of BLB. He is an extremely talented graphic designer and helped create beautiful logos and designs that we continue to use today. John was presented with his Star Award at Fenway Park!
2010 Recipients
Colonel Norberto Cintron was in charge of the recovery efforts at The Hotel Montana. The Colonel promised the Gengels that he would not leave the site until all bodies were recovered and returned to their families. He kept his word. Thirty three days after the earthquake, Britney was recovered by Colonel Cintron and returned to her family for a proper burial.
Lindsay Doran was not only one of Britney’s best friends she was Britney’s roommate in college and in Haiti. Lindsay is an incredible young lady and thanks to her and all the information she was able to give us and the recovery team, they were able to find Britney. The Gengels are truly blessed that they have Lindsay in their lives because of all the love, strength and support she gives them!
Geoff Hollywood is a compassionate, kind and quiet person who never met Britney or the Gengel family. All it took was one small request, and his heart and actions spoke louder and clearer than any of us could wish for. Geoff spent more than 60 hours of his time putting together an amazing video of Britney’s life for which the Gengel family will be forever grateful!
Congressman Jim McGovern took Len and the other Lynn University families to Haiti 10 days after the earthquake. Jim paid his own way and took a red eye to Santa Domingo in the Dominican and then took a 4 hour bus ride to the landing strip in Barahona. Congressman McGovern met up with Len and the other Lynn U. families where they traveled to Port au Prince, Haiti. They then went to the devastated Hotel Montana site where they were greeted by officials, one of them being Colonel Cintron. The bond that was formed that day between Jim, Colonel Cintron and Len is irrevocable!
