|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Acqualina Resort & Residences Developers Stephanie, Jules, and Eddie Trump hosted the 26th annual “I Have a Dream” Foundation Miami Gala and Fundraiser last month. The event celebrated the new group of Dreamers, the Class of 2032, in the second grade. The Trump family founded the Miami-Dade chapter in 1995.
The emcee for the Virtual Gala was Roxanne Vargas, the charismatic television anchor from NBC-6.
The event sponsors were the Feil Family Foundation, Suffolk Construction, The Trump Group, and Acqualina Resort & Residences. The title sponsor was Willis Towers Watson, and the dinner sponsor was Lockton Companies.
Even though this year was a virtual experience, guests dressed their best for the special occasion. The evening began with a “Cocktail Hour” where sponsors, attendees, and Dreamers participated in a live video chat. Then, with webcams turned on, guests connected and enjoyed lively conversations while the Dreamers from the classes of 2005 and 2020 shared their college and career stories and achievements.
One of the exciting ways guests supported the Miami Dreamers was by giving through the silent auction, which featured amazing prizes from luxe getaways to staycations at Miami’s top hotels. The live auction was hosted by Sebastian Clarke, an appraiser for the hit PBS show Antiques Roadshow. Many people generously bid, which featured a five-night stay for eight people to Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic, an unforgettable nine nights in Paris, an 11-night Italian excursion, and trips to London and Amsterdam.
The evening was filled with many surprises that began with founder Stephanie Trump’s inspiring welcome address, and a heartwarming video of the Trump Family’s visit to Fulford Elementary School. They announced to the second grade class and their parents that they would be part of the IHAD Miami family. Seeing all of the smiling faces from the young children was so moving, and listening to the parents share their joy about the opportunities that await their children was incredible. The audience was also captivated by a heartwarming performance from Miami Dreamer Rendith Sanon, who is now enrolled in college.
The “I Have a Dream” Foundation empowers children from low-income areas to reach their educational and career goals by providing a long-term program of mentoring, tutoring, and tuition assistance for higher education. The Foundation guarantees the children’s academic tuition at a Florida state university for a four-year degree or an accredited trade school.
The Foundation adopted the entire second grade class (97 Dreamers) at the Charles R. Drew School in Liberty City. 95 Dreamers reached the 12th grade, 83 of them graduated in 2005 on time and 54 graduated from college. In August 2007, the “I Have a Dream” Foundation adopted a new class of Dreamers at Hibiscus Elementary School in Miami, the class of 2020. Out of 107 Dreamers, 96 graduated on time and five graduated in 2021. As a result, 86 Dreamers are now enrolled in post-secondary education. The Miami Dreamers have become teachers, social workers, secretaries, electricians, nurses, entrepreneurs, and proud and productive citizens.
To become a supporter of the I Have a Dream Foundation Miami Chapter, contact Stephanie Trump at stephanie@trumpgroup.com. You may also call 305.937.7834 or visit dreammiami.org.
