Funds raised benefit teachers and students in Broward County Public Schools
Ned MacPherson, scholarship recipient Miwolf Milien, Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Nan Rich, Emilio Benitez and Robin Bartleman.
The Gunster Law Firm, Wells Fargo, Children Services Council of Broward, Community Foundation of Broward and Founders of the Broward Education Foundation were honored for their impact on public education and contributions to student achievement in Broward County at the recent Broward Education Foundation Black & White Gala that celebrated 33 years of educational excellence:
- Gunster Law Firm has catapulted support of the Broward public school debate pro-gram to national levels with a priority for equal access for all students.
- Wells Fargo directly bolsters local school communities throughout the county with support funds for quality teaching and successful educational outcomes.
- For 16 years, Children Services Council has facilitated the community’s investment in children, advocating for public policy to empower future generations of successful children.
- For 30 years, Community Foundation of Broward has facilitated philanthropic sup-port for community issues that transform lives and opportunities, funding educational programs that increase graduation rates beginning with student success in middle school.
- Founders of the Broward Education Foundation include past Superintendent of Schools Dr. William McFatter; Selma Hopen, Broward County Medical Association Auxiliary; past Associate Superintendent Dr. Linda Murray; prominent educator and past Interim Superintendent Dr. Dorothy Orr; Bertha Smolian, who provided the first $5,000 Foundation donation; and Dr. William C. Drainer, former superintendent and the Foundation’s first chair, and the entire Drainer family. This core fundraising group had the vision of community participation in support of student success, which led to the Foundation’s official charter’s establishment in 1984.
Proceeds from the nearly $160,000 raised during the Gala benefit the Broward Edu-cation Foundation which pro-vides support for innovative teaching to increase student learning outcomes from pre-K to grade 12; educational materials for Title 1 school students; scholarships for qualified graduating high school seniors; and fiduciary oversight for community members who join in the educational mission by establishing Foundation agency funds.
Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $2 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence. “Funds raised go to support our most important priorities – improving academic outcomes and increasing graduation rates,” said Broward County School Board Chair Dr. Rosalind Osgood. “Broward Education Foundation is a nexus for community support for our students, teachers and our school families. It functions as convener, collaborator, communicator and friend of the District. In partnership, we share a vision of equal access to the resources supporting student success.”
During the gala, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, live musical entertainment and dancing.
“We celebrate another successful year and the accomplishments of our fantastic students, particularly this year which is the 100th anniversary of the Broward County Public School District,” said Thomas Severino, president and CEO of the Broward Education Foundation, the second largest education foundation in Florida. “I congratulate our honorees and thank our sponsors for their generosity, passion and leadership.”
For more information, call (754) 321-2030, visit www.browardedfoundation.org, like our Facebook page at facebook.com/browardeducationfoundation or follow us on Twitter @BrowardEdFound.