Funds raised benefit teachers and students in the Broward County School System
(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – Community leaders Jarett and Dara Levan and Dwight and Dinah Stephenson and BrightStar Credit Union were honored for their impact on education and contributions to student achievement in Broward County at the recent Broward Education Foundation Black & White Gala that celebrated 32 years of educational excellence.
Proceeds from the $116,000 raised during the Gala benefit the Broward Education Foundation which provides 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.
Phyllis Schiffer-Simon chaired the Gala and honorary chairs were Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie and School Board Chair Donna Korn. “This is always such a terrific night to shine the light on the extraordinary accomplishments in public education in Broward County this year,” said Schiffer-Simon. “Congratulations to the honorees and special thanks to Superintendent Runcie and Board Chair Korn for serving as honorary chairs and to our very hard-working committee who orchestrated a flawless event.”
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, live musical entertainment and dancing.
During the evening, BBX Capital Foundation committed to a $6,000 donation to a scholarship fund through the Broward Education Foundation honoring outstanding students that are graduating from Broward County Public Schools. A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded each year for the next three years.
“The end of the school year is always cause for celebration, in particular as we look back on all of the achievements and successes of our students,” said Thomas Severino, president/CEO of the Broward Education Foundation. “I congratulate our honorees and thank Superintendent Runcie, School Board Chair Korn and the other School Board members who attended for their support. The Gala would also not have been possible without the extraordinary kindness of our sponsors.”
Sponsors were AECOM, Avaya, BBX Capital, BrightStar Credit Union, Broward Alliance, Broward Health, Broward Teachers Union, C & F Electric, Inc., The Carroll Group of Morgan Stanley, Charter Schools of Excellence, Cisco, Coventry, Dell, Arthur J. Gallagher, Grau and Associates, Hoffman’s Chocolates, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, JDL Technologies, JM Family, John’s Eastern, Keiser University, Kelley Kronenberg Attorneys at Law, Lenova, Miami Dolphins Foundation, One Blood, Patriot Insurance, Pearson, Pirtle Construction, Toyota of Hollywood, University of Phoenix and Wells Fargo.
Toyota of Hollywood donated $200 for every car sold to a Broward School System employee during the month preceding the Gala as part of its sponsorship, which totaled $3,500.
Established in 1983, the nonprofit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing support for innovative teaching to advance Pre K-12 achievement; critically needed educational materials for Title I school teachers and students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $2 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.
For more information, call 754-321-2030, visit www.browardedfoundation.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
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