FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2016
Media Contact: Maria Curreri
(561) 301-4998 / mcurreri@bgcpbc.org
Event Contact: Mary Coleman
561-683-3287 / mcoleman@bgcpbc.org
A Star Studded Boys & Girls Club Wellington Dinner Dance Captivates Guests
with an Emotional Club Member Presentation
WELLINGTON, Florida – The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club hosted the 28th Annual Wellington Dinner Dance themed Denim & Diamonds on Friday, January 8, 2016 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, with proceeds helping the Club serve an additional 150 Wellington children in 2016. For more than two decades this event has brought supporters and philanthropists of the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington together for an evening of cocktails, silent and live auction, dinner and dancing. But the highlight of the evening took place after dinner with the emotional presentation by current Club member Demetreous Holden who drove the crowd of over 300 guests, many with tears in their eyes, to their feet with a standing ovation for his heartfelt speech. Demetreous shared with guests his experience with the Club and expressed his gratitude to the Club staff and supporters.
“I have been attending the Boys and Girls club for two years thanks to the scholarship the Club offered me to attend. With 4 brothers and 3 sisters, every little bit helps,” said Demetreous. “My parents believe in me, but it helps to have people like Ms. Kenda, Ms. Grant, and Carlos encourage and believe in me too. I am thankful for all the loving and thoughtful people that have done so much for me and my family” he continued as he shared how he and his family were gifted with shoes and clothing this Holiday season thanks to the efforts of the staff at the Club. “Mr. Hirsch, you made a very wise decision by founding The Boys and Girls Club of Wellington. You have given a lot of kids a safe place to go so they wouldn’t get into the temptations of this world. Who knows where we would be or what we would be doing if we didn’t have the Club. I would like to thank all the generous people that have made the Boys and Girls Club possible and Mr. Hirsch, Ms. Kenda, and all the staff of the Boys and Girls Club for working very hard to make the Club the best place for children to be, and for keeping the doors of the Boys and Girls Club open. Last but not least, to all those that gave and invested in the lives of the children of the next generation, I have two things to say……..THANK YOU!” concluded Demetreous.
For over 28 years, the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington has given the children of the Wellington community a place to go to be nurtured and loved. It is through the support of friends in the community that the Club has been able to change thousands of children’s lives and families that walk through the Club’s doors. “One of the things I am most proud of in this community is the way it cares for its children,” said Dr. James Goad, Event Chairman. “The proceeds from the Dinner Dance will allow us the opportunity to provide a safe, after-school environment to 80% more children in our community in 2016”.
After dinner, Auctioneer Todd Barron sold the crowd on a phenomenal array of live auction items which included a beautiful vintage platinum black and white cultured pearl choker with diamonds from Polo Jewelers valued at $7,000; polo lessons with Nic Roldan and Brandon Phillips; a Golf Foursome at Trump International; an Insiders trip to Memphis ; a week stay at “Rum and Coconuts”, a private home in Hope Town on Elbow Cay in Abacos-Bahamas; a Private Dinner Party for 20 people at Table 26; a weekend at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami and a 5-day rental of a 2015 Jaguar XF from Alpine Jaguar; and a house party for 20 people with private chef Felicia Suzanne, Emeril Lagasse’s assistant and co-author of his cookbooks. The event generated more than $220,000 that will directly benefit the Wellington Club.
This year’s Dinner Dance also made its mark for the high profile list of guests in attendance which included equestrian and socialite Georgina Bloomberg; Polo players Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips, Grant Ganzi and Kris Kampsen; owner of Grand Champions Polo Club, Marc Ganzi; highly decorated equestrian Marley Goodman Overman, and Olympic Show Jumper Champion and daughter of rocker Bruce Springsteen, Jessica Springsteen.
The event committee was led by Co-Chairs, Georgina Bloomberg, Dr. James Goad, and Marley Goodman Overman. Joining the chairs were committee members Todd Barron, Maria Becker, Sean Brevak, Heidi Harland, Hailey Harland, Nicolette Goldfarb, Shelley Blaine Goodman, Ron Herman, Marysue Jacobs, Reed Kellner, Julie Khanna Gopalan, Julie Kime, Dr. Ashley Lankford, Kimberly Leland, Darren Marotta, Jennifer Martinez, Robin Mishkin, Aaron and Julie Menitoff, Andrea Plevin, Jillian Pumphrey, Nic Roldan, and Ellen Sanita. Many of the members have been working together and supporting this event for years. “We are so thrilled to be supporting this event again and involved in such a wonderful cause” said committee member Sean Brevak.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2017 event, please contact Mary Coleman, Director of Special Events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach at 561-683-3287 or mcoleman@bgcpbc.org or visit www.bgcpbc.org.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. The thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 8,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
