6TH ANNUAL FANCY JEANS PARTY RAISES MORE THAN $165,000

FOR THE JESSICA JUNE CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION

2017 Fancy Jeans Child Honoree Gets More Than A Wish –

Meets Ellen DeGeneres On National TV

Approximately 600 of South Florida’s social notables, philanthropists and professionals showed off their dazzling denim while dancing the night away at the 6th Annual Fancy Jeans Party sponsored by Steve Savor, presented by Breakthru Beverage and Vertical Bridge Charitable Networkon April 1st at Revolution Live in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Produced by Events by Vento Designs, the fabulous Fancy Jeans Party raisedover $165,000 for the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation (JJCCF).  Karen Alba was most outstanding raffle volunteer- raising over $4000 of the total. Proceeds from the event will benefit children fighting cancer in the South Florida tri-county area.

“It takes a village to make the magic!  We had an outstanding team contributing to the Fancy Jeans success.  I commend committee members, volunteers and staff for their tireless effort throughout the past months leading to the event and thank sponsors, guests and contributors for their support. South Florida families in crisis battling pediatric cancer are the winners who will benefit from 100% of the event proceeds. Knowing these families will be helped during their darkest moments, represents a great sense of satisfaction for everyone involved.” said Sandra Muvdi, Founder and President of JJCCF.

This year’s child honoree was Veronica Avila, an 11-year-old survivor of Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). JJCCF assisted Veronica’s family with necessary financial aid to cover medical bills and groceries while she was in treatment.The Fancy Jeans Child Honorees gets to invite a celebrity to the event and JJCCF does everything possible to make it happen.  Veronica’s wish was for Ellen DeGeneres to be her guest at the Fancy Jeans Party. On stage at the event, Veronica was first surprised with the granting of her second wish; a Disney family vacation package.  Then “Genie” was asked if Veronica’s wish to meet Ellen DeGeneres would come true. As the audience waited in suspense, she was surprised with a package including a handwritten note from Ellen inviting Veronica to meet her in LA, VIP tickets to her show along with Ellen swag.  Thanks to the generosity of the Ellen Show, Veronica, her mother and sister would be traveling across the country to meet Ellen in Los Angeles just one week after the event. Veronica got more than a wish!  She wasinterviewedon the Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 11th, received an iPad and a $10,000 check for her college education so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor and helping others.

The evening featured open bar and treats from several of South Florida’s most popular restaurants, a “Best Dressed Fancy Jeans” contest, a fabulous raffle and silent auction. Spectacular entertainment sponsored by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino bedazzled guests throughout the evening.  The unique interactive entertainment included “Hora Loca (Crazy Hour)” which brought together people from all walks of life dancing and singing with international carnival performers; and LED dancing robots, hanging aerial silk performer, and live body painting.

The Fancy Jeans Party is JJCCF’s signature event and a major source of funding for its Emergency Financial Assistance Program. In its history, the event has raised over $718,000. The funds will help South Florida families fighting childhood cancer meet their everyday basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities and medical expenses.

Sponsors for the event included Steve Savor, Breakthru Beverage, Vertical Bridge Charitable Network, Revolution Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Kip Hunter Marketing, Ageless Medical, S.I.D.E.S., Wellnext, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, Video Creations, AutoNation, Iberia Bank, Holland America Line, 1000+ Club, Josephine S Leiser Foundation, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital Broward Health, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Publix, First Green Bank, City Furniture, Aviation Legal Group, PA, Vegso Family Foundation, Bloom, Gettis & Habib, PA, Oxford Enterprises, Windsor Diamonds, The Barman’s Fund, Stage Trip Industries, Spirited South Florida, Milagro Tequila, Events by Vento Designs, CreativeDust.com, Blue Truck Productions.

Food Partners: Truluck’s, Royal Pig, Hooters, Lobster Bar, C.W.S. Bar & Kitchen, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, CrepeMaker, Stork’s Bakery & Coffee House.

Media Partners: Lifestyle Publications, SunSentinel, Go Riverwalk Magazine, THINK Magazine.

About Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation

Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation was created in 2004 shortly after Sandra Muvdi lost her only child to cancer. The Foundation has assisted nearly 4,000 children and family members affected by pediatric cancer through its Emergency Financial Assistance program; it also advocates for and raises awareness of childhood cancer. The Foundation serves patients from all seven pediatric oncology hospitals in the tri-county area of South Florida and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.