Covenant House Florida – Night of Broadway Stars

Covenant House Florida’s Night of Broadway Stars Nets $50,000
Covenant House Florida’s special Valentine’s Day edition of its signature Night of Broadway Starsgala event netted $58,000 in support ofthehomeless youth and young adultswho receive shelter and services from the nonprofit organization.
The event attracted 350 guests and featured Broadway performers belting out Broadway classics like Phantom of the Opera’s “Music of the Night” and Wicked’s “For Good” as well as popular rock songs like Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman to Me” and Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” About a dozen Covenant House Florida residents took to the stage and performed Katy Perry’s “Firework” and joined Broadway stars forthe moving finale, “Love Changes Everything.”

“The young people who performed in this year’s Night of Broadway Stars really stole the show –from their powerful testimonies to their joyous performances,” saidJim Gress, Covenant House Florida executive director. “Their participation, alongside the greats of Broadway, performing in front of a packed house of supporters in the Amaturo Theatre, certainly combined to make this the best Night of Broadway Stars ever.”

The event honored supporter Jen Klaassens, who has gone above and beyond for the youth and young adults served by Covenant House Florida. In addition to volunteering and raising funds for Covenant House Florida, many important organizations benefit from Klaassens’ infectious enthusiasm and tireless dedication, including Operation Mobilization’s 2013 Freedom Climb. Her depth of caring led her to climb Mt. Everest on behalf of the organization, bringing much-needed awareness to Human Trafficking.

Roxanne Vargas, host of the NBC 6 lifestyle and entertainment show, “6 in the Mix,” served as emcee for the evening, and Cindy Schutt, longtime supporter of Covenant House Florida, was event chair.
Matinée sponsors include Accenture, Navigant and T&G Constructors, and Rising Star sponsors are Azamara Club Cruises, BB&T, Rev. Kris Bartos, Brinkley Morgan, Cindy Schutt PR, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, FPL, Food Management Associates, Holy Cross, Jen Klaassens Consulting, LPL Financial, Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation, One Hotel Central Park, Toshiba Business Solutions and The Westin Fort Lauderdale. The media sponsor is THINK magazine.
Night of Broadway Stars started with lavish gourmet dinner stations and premier cocktails in the Peck Courtyard while guests bid on premium silent auction items. As dinner and bidding winded down, guests were escorted into the theater for the Broadway spectacular. During the show, auctioneer Gordon Latz from the Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation, auctioned a spectacular cruise provided by Azamara Club Cruises, the luxury brand of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., diamond and turquoise earrings from Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, a trip to Broadway and two South African Safaris. After the auction and Broadway performance, guests mingled with the Broadway stars and Covenant House residents at a VIP dessert reception in the Peck Courtyard.

Covenant House Florida reaches 200 teens a-day via street outreach, crisis shelters, transitional housing projects, and walk-in services, making it one of the largest private agencies serving runaway and homeless youth in the state of Florida. For more information on Covenant House Florida, visit www.CovenantHouseFL.org or call 954-568-7914.

s