Of Socks, Dogs, and Giving Back
by Kevin Fritz
Adam Michael Rosen loved life. Born and raised in Orlando, he honored his place on Earth by making a difference. Whether that was hosting a charitable event, rescuing dogs, or making a child smile on Christmas Day, Adam had the gift of selfless giving.
The son of hotel magnate Harris Rosen and Trisha Rosen passed away on November 23, 2018, following a two-and- a-half-year battle with a rare brain cancer. He was 26.
“Adam had the best smile ever,” beams his mom. “And the whole time he was sick, he never let us worry. He never got angry, never said ‘why me?’”
In honor of the way Adam lived his life, the Rosen family created a fundraiser in his name, one that piggybacks on a Rosen holiday tradition.
On Thursday, December 5, 2019, the Adam Michael Rosen Foundation Sock It To Cancer Tree Decorating and Sock Drive will welcome one and all to Rosen Shingle Creek resort for a celebration of life and an evening of holiday magic. The fundraiser combines the Rosen Shingle Creek Nonprofit Partners Christmas Tree Decorating event, now in its ninth year, with a whimsical twist that pays homage to Adam’s love of socks and the holidays.
“Adam loved celebrating Christmas and Chanukah,” says Trisha. “And he had great fashion sense. He was known for his bow ties and socks. He had the best selection of colorful socks.”
Trisha says Adam and his two older brothers and younger sister learned a lot about the act of giving during the holiday season.
“Sometimes we would deliver gifts on Christmas Day in person, and Adam loved seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces,” she recalls. “He grew up learning to share and understood there were people who needed help. He learned a lot about philanthropy from his father.”
Harris, who came to Central Florida in the mid-1960s and owns eight area hotels, married Trisha in 1991.
“The loss of my dear son Adam, who I loved so very much, has changed my life forever,” says Harris. “Our goal remains that Adam’s passing from a horrific brain cancer will not be in vain.
My dream is for a cure to be identified in my lifetime. If not, then in the lifetime of Adam’s siblings.”
The Sock It To Cancer fundraiser will feature Christmas trees decorated for the holidays by 25 nonprofit partners of Rosen Hotels.
Guests are asked to bring a pair of colorful socks and vote on their favorite design by placing the socks in baskets located at each tree. The nonprofit with the most votes will receive $5,000 from the Adam Michael Rosen Foundation. All the socks will then be distributed to area hospitals and families in need.
“The Rosen JCC is honored and excited to participate each year in Rosen Shingle Creek’s holiday charity event,” says Lorri Levine, program and events director for The Rosen JCC. “It’s a creative, unique opportunity for us to gain exposure within a joyful time of year. We are also grateful to be part of this new initiative to honor Adam.”
The idea for the Adam Michael Rosen Foundation was conceived last year when it became evident that Adam’s battle would soon be ending.
“We wanted to do something good and help the different causes Adam was close to,” says Trisha. “The foundation is about family assistance. When Adam got sick, I was able to be a caregiver 24/7. I am lucky I was able to do that. I didn’t have to choose to spend time with my child or put food on the table.”
Trisha says that because of the love Adam had for dogs, the foundation is also designed to assist our four-legged friends. Adam rescued two dogs about a year before he was diagnosed with cancer.
“They meant everything to him,” Trisha says. “It was all about Bella and Samson.”
Trisha explains the foundation is designed to offer financial assistance for the entire family when the unexpected occurs, so no one has to be alone.
“We were able to make many memories with Adam,” she says. “This is one reason why the family assistance portion of Adam’s foundation is so important to us. We were fortunate that both of his parents could be with Adam. There should never have to be a choice.”