Newsletter May 2016
TUESDAY MAY 3 is the
GREAT GIVE!
     
BFF is proud to be participating in the largest 24 hour online community giving event designed to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in a single day.  

OUR GOAL:
Summertime is vital to continue the progress our students make all year long. Our goal is to raise
$8,000 to provide our students with an entire summer filled with innovative programs:
  • Study, organizational skills and technology workshops 
  • Summer book club
  • ACT/SAT preparation sessions 
  • Learning through Art programs. 
HOW CAN YOU HELP:
It's so easy to make a difference!
  • Set a reminder for tomorrow May 3rd. 
  • Make a donation- Every gift of $20 or more will be multiplied with additional dollars from a bonus pool.
  • Help us spread the word! Share our Facebook posts and Tweets.
WHAT IT IS: 
This community-wide event, led by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County and United Way of Martin County, celebrates the spirit of giving and the collective effort it takes to strengthen our community by raising critical funds for local nonprofits. 

Here is the link to make a donation starting
at midnight tonight (if you are a night owl) until 
11:59PM tomororw. 
 

    Our BFF BASH, held at the Polo Club on April 9th, was a huge success!

The event was emceed by the wonderful Liz Quirantes from CBS 12 News. This very special event had a little bit of everything: great food, music, entertainment, auction items, and the attendance of amazing BFF students. 

With the support of over 400 guests and sponsors, (Click here for a full list of sponsors) we raised over $200,000 that will allow us to further our mission of empowering children in foster care to become independent, self-sustaining adults. 

One of our students received the 2nd annual Leder
Family Foundation Scholarship in
recognition of her academic achievements in the face of many obstacles. "I have been supporting BFF because I believe in their mission and wanted to expand our impact by acknowledging a student who has shown remarkable resilience and fortitude. Adrianna is so deserving of this honor and is an inspiration to all those facing adversity" said Lisa Leder from the Foundation.
 
CLICK HERE to see pictures from the BASH.
CLICK HERE to watch the BASH video! 
Donna Biase, Liz Quirantes, David Sarris & Debbie Ellman
PLEASE SAVE the DATE for next year's BASH-
April 22, 2017!
We are so proud of our Men with Caring Hearts nominee Frank Barbieri!

Each year, local non-profit organizations are given an opportunity to recognize and honor male volunteers who have made life better for others.
Frank is a founding board member of Best Foot Forward, Vice Chair of the School District of Palm Beach County, and a staunch advocate for all children in our community. 

We will honor Frank and all the other wonderful nominees at a luncheon on May 6, 2016.

For information on attending the 2016 Men With Caring Hearts Luncheon, please contact Alana St. John at astjohn@ffcdc.org or 561-391-7274 ext. 130.
  

STUDENT CORNER...

Presenting...David! 
Our guest speaker at the BASH this year was David Sarris. David has been in the BFF program since his junior year in high school. He received his AA degree from Palm Beach State College and is currently a junior at FAU, working towards his degree in social work. David credits his perseverance in school to the support he receives from BFF. He spoke about wanting to leave school and give up on college, and how the BFF team pushed him to stay the course and work through any and every issue. David will make an incredible Social Worker and we look forward to watching him reach all of his dreams!
We received this text from one of our previous students:
Not once in this lifetime did I ever believe that I would receive such love and care. Thank you for making me feel and look like a Princess tonight. Thank you for placing me in a position to meet people I thought I'd never meet, be encouraged in ways I thought was nonexistent and feel loved unconditionally despite of my past. Thank you for being the mom and mentor I always needed. I hope you can see that the seeds that the two of you have planted in me has flourished and continues to do successfully. I am a Master's level clinician and a homeowner. Y'all had EVERYTHING to do with it. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Love you ❤❤❤
 
Here is another text message from one of our graduating seniors:

SPOTLIGHT on our SUPPORTERS...
BFF supporters Shaw & Laura McCutcheon:
We have chosen to support Best Foot Forward because their programs provide an innovative solution to a problem we feel very passionate about . Children raised in foster care frequently lack the stability needed to become successful adults.  Best Foot Forward's mission is to take these kids one-on-one and help to give them the ability to nurture their education, increasing their self esteem and confidence. This personal attention allows these kids to overcome instabilities they've faced all their lives. A college education and later success in life is Best Food Forward's goal for each of these children. Without BFF's help, that goal would be almost impossible to achieve.


It is an honor to be selected by Bank of America for their 2016 Workforce Development and Education Grant. Today's low national median income and youth  unemployment rates are of great concern. Bank of America is supporting opportunities and initiatives that will put young people on a path to success. We are very proud to partner with them and look forward to seeing great successes from our BFF kids!

COMING UP...
SAVE the DATE
for our 7th annual
BATTLE of the BARTENDERS!
  
Friday, August 12, 2017
BFF's very own Donna Biase will be dancing in the George Snow Boca's Ballroom Battle on Saturday August 20, 2016 at the Boca Raton Resort and Club as part of the Boca Chamber Festival Days. BFF and the George Snow Scholarship Fund work closely together to help students realize their college dreams.   
"I am so very excited that Donna has agreed to be a part of Ballroom Battle this year. For many years the George Snow Scholarship Fund and Best Foot Forward have worked closely together to help some very deserving young people continue their educations. Both Debbie and Donna sit on our Scholarship Selection Committee, their contributions of time and expertise to our process are invaluable. Donna's heart for helping others make her a perfect participant in Ballroom Battle and her involvement will do great things for the Scholarship and the young people we serve. We are blessed to have her as a member of our family and our community is blessed to have Debbie, Donna and everyone involved in Best Foot Forward as we all work together to help the leaders of tomorrow today."  
Tim Snow, George Snow Scholarship Foundation.
Best Foot Forward
Board Members
Paul Kilgallon- President
Frank Barbieri
Lorraine Cross
Jennifer Jager
Marjorie Margolies
Sherry Morganstein 
J.C. Perrin
Lisa Wheeler
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