By Ian Torres….
Educate Tomorrow, a non-profit organization with a mission to create independence for disadvantaged and foster youth through education, mentoring and life skills training, will host its sixth annual gala and fundraiser on Jan. 8.
The Educate Tomorrow Gala returns with a Monte Carlo Night. The festivities again are at the luxurious private bay front estate on Old Cutler Road, with grand architecture, beautiful courtyard and bay front view that will transport guests to the experience of Monte Carlo. Guests will enjoy a variety of casino games and silent auction; exceptional wine, cocktails and food, and the company of Miami’s top executives and professionals.
Looking for the thrill of the casino and betting on a great cause? Educate Tomorrow’s Monte Carlo Night will include an assortment of casino games featuring blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker.
At the end of the evening, guests can trade in their chips for raffle tickets, which will be randomly drawn. Raffle prizes and silent auction items will include fabulous hotel stays, artwork, cruises and more. All of the proceeds from ticket sales, auction items, sponsorships and donations for casino chips will directly benefit Educate Tomorrow.
Guests will enjoy a selection of South Florida’s best restaurants including Smith & Wollensky, Aladdin’s Grill, Captain’s Tavern, Joanna’s Marketplace, Miami Chop House, Tap Tap, and Red the Steakhouse. Parties by Pat also will be passing delicious appetizers. A tasty selection of gourmet desserts will be provided by Jennifer’s Homemade, Platinum Desserts, Homebaked by Tara and Cakes by Denyse.
These scrumptious South Florida favorites will pair well with a selection of fine wines provided by Mattebella Vineyards and others and a variety of premium cocktails courtesy of Bacardi. The latest hits from the airwaves will fill the dance floor courtesy of DJ Tony.
Additional event sponsors include the TriMix Foundation, Kaufman Rossin & Co., Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin PA, Robert and Edith Hudson, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson PA, ProSource Solutions, and Antonio Misuraca.
Every year hundreds of foster care children “age out” of the foster care system and are expected to transition into society as adults. Although the State of Florida provides them with financial aid for continuing education, many of them lack the required skills, guidance, and basic information needed to take advantage of these programs.
Educate Tomorrow volunteers mentor these young adults and guide them in the process of completing high school and applying for college or technical school. The cost of mentoring, life skills training, and in-school support groups is approximately $2,000 per child for the first year, far less than the cost to society when a former foster child ends up homeless or incarcerated.
The Educate Tomorrow Gala will take place on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at a private bay front estate located at 17575 Old Cutler Rd. Tickets are on sale now and start at $200 for individual tickets. VIP tickets and sponsorship packages also are available.
For more information, visit www.EducateTomorrow.org or call 305-374-3751.
