IT WAS A ROARING GOOD TIME AT HANDY’S SECOND ANNUAL SCHOOLAPALOOZA TO HELP STUDENTS IN NEED

Nearly 300 Gatsby-attired men and women had a roaring good time during HANDY’s Second Annual Schoolapalooza, a Prohibition-themed back-to-school fundraiser held at ArtsUP! Gallery in Fort Lauderdale’s FAT Village. More than $150,000 was raised in support of HANDY’s core programming, which provides mentorship, tutoring, life skills and family style support,as well as school supplies for students in need.

“Following the success of last year’s inaugural Schoolapalooza, we were thrilled to imitate the event again, but bigger and better,” said Marcelle Abell-Rosen, MD and Schoolapalooza event chair. “HANDY is near and dear to my heart and I truly appreciate the community’s dedication to helping HANDY fulfill its mission of supplying those in need with the tools that will help them achieve their goals.”

Guests of this Roaring Twenties soireeenjoyed a selection of delectable hors d’oeuvres and desserts courtesy of Hugh’s Catering, Bellamoon Desserts, Royalty Catering, be nice Restaurants, JEY Hospitality Group and Sweeter Days Bake Shop. Many sipped on cocktails at a speakeasy-themed bar presented by McCormick Distilling. Several attendees went home with unbelievable prizes from the live and silent auctions, while filling the closets of local students with back-to-school supplies such as clothes, shoes, electronics and college prep essentials.

HANDY’S Schoolapalooza was sponsored in part by Marcelle and Andy Rosen, The Farver Foundation, Hypower, Kaplan Higher and Professional Education, The Krause Family Foundation, iPic Theaters, Shiff Construction, Shane Battier – two-time NBA champion, DJ Axel, Barbara and Ken Burnette, ASF Productions, A Spring of Hope, Moss Foundation,  Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, OK Generators, Stonegate Bank, Pam Africk and Shari Olefson, The Riverside Market and Cafe, Saffer & Company Benefits Auctions, Marsha and Alan Levy, Michael and Nicole Rechter,Daszkal Bolton LLP, Kathleen Thomsen and Andy Hyman, Mark and Christine Miller, Intero Group, Whitaker Realty – Todd Kirkpatrick, Nicoc Consultants, Inc., Comprehensive Home Health Care, be nice Restaurants, Funky Buddha Brewery, Hugh’s Catering, JEY Hospitality, McCormick Distilling, Royalty Catering, Sweeter Days Bake Shop, Bellamoon Deserts, DJ Axel, FAT Village Arts District/Flagler Warehouse, LLC, Barbara and John Gehrig, Donna Hattenbach, Ian and Sarah Lis, Randi and Brian Schwartz, Posh Production & Events, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Print eSolutions, Blacktie-SouthFlorida.com, Sixth Star Entertainment, Affordable Medical Supply, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Miss N Media, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Sports Court of South Florida, Island City Traders, Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, Allied Kitchen & Bath, Mundi Limousine, Mystic Landscaping, Touch of Spain Caterers, Dr. Beth Cooper – Chiropractor, Broward College, Brownbag Popcorn Co., Burlock Coast, Client First, Comprehensive Home Health, Ellman Family Vineyard, John Morgan, Moda Mario, Memories, Vozzcom, Charlie’s Locker, Lee Loo Salon, Drift Salon, J. McLaughlin, Tipsy SalonBar, Coco Asian Bistro, Orangetheory Fitness, Alexia Ayars Eyelashes, CL Haese Salon, Hoffman’s Chocolates, Patrick Arnold, DMD, Pizza Loft, Publix, Pineapple Tree, Yoga Awakenings,Blue Moon Fish Co. Butterfly World, Mojo, Young at Art Museum and Alex and Ani.

About HANDY

HANDY’s mission is to embrace, educate and empower vulnerable youth to become engaged and productive adults.  Founded in 1985, HANDY has met the needs of more than 50,000 Broward County children and youth in foster and relative / non-relative care and annually serves more than 1,200 at-risk children between the ages of birth – 25 years.