FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2017
Media Contact: Maria Curreri
(561) 301-4998 / mcurreri@bgcpbc.org
Wellington Community comes together to celebrate Boys & Girls Clubs “Passport to Paradise” in a star-studded event
Wellington Dinner Dance raises over $230,000 to benefit Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington
Proceeds will help the Club serve an additional 150 children from the Wellington community in 2017. 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. The Wellington Dinner Dance is the largest fundraising event benefiting the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with the signature cocktail, Paradise Punch, and had the opportunity to bid on over fifty unique silent auction baskets raising over $14,000.
Club member Bibiana Montoya greeted guests with her opening speech and shared her experiences at the Club. At only nine years of age, Bibiana takes pride in giving tours of the Club to visitors and share with them why she loves coming to the Club.
For over 29 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 support the families that walk through the Club’s doors. “It is critical that we support our community and truly impressive how many children are in such a positive way thanks to the programs the Club offers,” said Dr. Colette Brown-Graham, Event Chairman. “The proceeds from the Dinner Dance will remain in Wellington allowing us the opportunity to provide a safe, after-school environment to an additional 150 children from our community in 2017”.
After dinner, Auctioneer Neil Saffer sold the crowd on a phenomenal array of live auction items which included an Equestrian Experience complete with polo lessons with Nic Roldan and Brandon Phillips; a week stay at the Placencia Hotel and Casino in Belize; Golf Foursome at The Loxahatchee Club; a week stay in a private Cape Cod Cottage; Sheriff for a Day with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, a week stay at “Rum and Coconuts”, a private home in Hope Town on Elbow Cay in Abacos-Bahamas; a Paella Party for 20; a Race Car experience at PBIR; and an exquisite Meria T gold and diamond adorned neckpiece and earring set from VanDell Jewelers, raising over $37,000. The evening generated more than $230,000 that will directly benefit programs at the Wellington Club.
Joining the chairs were committee members Cheryl Anders, Maria Becker, Michael and Susan Ferraro, Al Graham, Heidi Harland, Hailey Harland, Nicolette Goldfarb, Shelley Blaine Goodman, Julie Kime, Kimberly Leland, Helen Lester, Ray Mooney, Sanjay Nayee, and Melinda Varvarigos. Many of the committee members have been working together and supporting this event for several years.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2018 event, please call 561-683-3287 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.
