Black & White Gala raises funds for Broward Education Foundation
Funds directly benefit Broward County Public School students
Diana Runcie and Superintendent Robert Runcie. (Photos credit: Downtown Photo)
Community leaders Memorial Healthcare System and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were honored for their impact on public education and student achievement in Broward County at the recent Broward Education Foundation Black & White Gala that celebrated 34 years of educational excellence.
Guests enjoyed mingling together during the cocktail reception where they were bidding on such fabulous silent auction items as weekend getaways, gift baskets, sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, plays and performances and more. Following the reception, NBC 6 news reporters and sisters Julia and Marissa Bagg, who were co-Masters of Ceremonies, welcomed guests into the elegantly decorated ballroom for an evening of dinner, dancing to the music of the band None Other and recognitions of the honorees and students.
The highlight of the celebratory evening was recognition of extraordinary student achievements, particularly those students who overcame incredible adversity. A scholarship was presented by Memorial Healthcare System to Abigail Michel, who will graduate from Fort Lauderdale High School and attend FIU, and a scholarship was presented by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to Lakira Sylvain, who will graduate from Blanche Ely High School and will attend Florida A&M University.
“We were all inspired by the stories that were told this evening of students in our school system who have succeeded against all odds,” said Christina Fischer, Broward Education Foundation board chair. “This event, and all that we do at the Broward Education Foundation, is about helping our students succeed academically and personally. Broward Education Foundation, a direct support not-for-profit organization, provides the much needed funding for programs and initiatives touching the lives of over 300,000 students of the district. We are raising funds and awareness. As an example, we don’t want families to have to choose between buying school supplies and putting food on the dinner table. Unfortunately, that is a reality for some families.”
Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $2.2 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.
