In honor of its 20th anniversary, PACE Center for Girls Broward will host a “Year of the Dragon” themed celebration at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Pier 66. In the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the “Year of the Dragon” which is a symbol of good fortune. Honorary Chair is Helen Furia; Penelope Blair and Gale Butler will serve as event chairs.
Guests will be treated to an Asian setting and be welcomed by Taiko drummers. The evening begins with cocktails and a silent auction with dancing after the dinner and awards program. Music and décor is by Sixth Star Entertainment.
The Board of Directors will introduce the Leo Goodwin Community Cares Award to honor a member or organization that has an impact on the growth and sustainability of PACE in Broward County. The inaugural honoree is the Leo Goodwin Foundation whose contributions have totaled more than a million dollars since PACE Broward opened 20 years ago. PACE is also recognizing the recipients of the 2012 Creating Partnerships Awards: Yasmine and Scott Coleman and the Law Offices of Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Wahlbrink.
PACE opened in Broward in 1992 with 30 girls and has grown into a program that now serves 85 girls in the day program and another 40 girls and their families in the evening counseling program.
“PACE is fortunate to have had a presence in Broward County for the past 20 years allowing us to serve over 2,500 girls,” said founding and current Executive Director of PACE Broward, Aggie Pappas. “This success would not have been achieved without the generous support of donors, community partners, and advocates including a dedicated board of directors and advisory council.”
Event sponsors include: Leo Goodwin Foundation Inc.; Maroone, an AutoNation company; Bank of America and U.S. Trust, Bank of America Wealth Management; Citrix Systems; Circle of Friends Foundation/Joanne and Mark Snead; NCCI Holdings; Robert C. Radice; Law Offices of Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Wahlbrink; American National Bank; Coldwell Banker CARES Foundation; Judge Bill and Linda Haury; Lynda Napolitano; REMS Group; Bimini Boatyard Bar and Grill; Helen Furia; and Daoud’s Fine Jewelry.
Tickets begin at $175. Proceeds support PACE Broward, a nonprofit gender responsive counseling, academic and life-skills education day program for girls ages 12 to 17. PACE Broward is the only all-girl community-based delinquency prevention/intervention program in Broward County and one of 17 PACE Centers in Florida.
