Events

Best Foot Forward Foundation will host its third annual Kickoff Cocktail Reception on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Boca Grove Country Club in Boca Raton to celebrate the organization’s success the past three years and to kick off an exciting new year.  

“The evening will celebrate our amazing volunteers and the foster children we help support,” said Donna Biase, co-founder of Best Foot Forward.  “At the kickoff cocktail reception we will be giving away a fifth car to a deserving former foster child as part of our Strive to Drive program, as well as honoring this year’s Volunteer of the Year.”

Florida native and music star Amber Leigh, who was recently named “South Florida’s Female Artist of the Year,” will headline the fundraiser, with additional musical entertainment provided by the West Boca High School Chorus and Zazz Entertainment.  Mayor Susan Whelchel and former foster children involved with Best Foot Forward will be guests at the event.     

While enjoying an evening of cocktails and delicious dinner by the bite, guests will have the opportunity to participate in exciting live and silent auctions featuring professional auctioneer Neil Saffer, with all proceeds benefitting Best Foot Forward.  Items up for bid include luxury hotel stays, theater tickets, spa packages, jewelry and much more.

Best Foot Forward’s programs support and guide foster youth so they have a successful academic experience that leads to high school graduation and beyond.  One such program is the Strive to Drive Challenge, which was formed in partnership with Offlease Only and helps former foster children achieve self-sufficiency by alleviating the transportation issues former foster youth often face upon leaving the system, rewarding them for their efforts and motivation to stay in school.  Other programs offered by Best Foot Forward include Grant-a-Graduation, which funds the many expenses associated with graduating such as cap and gown, yearbook, prom and more; Birthday Bucks, which will provide a youth with a cake, a card, a present and a birthday picture in a frame; and Stand By Me, which provides educational support and advocacy for a youth in foster care for a full school year.

“We are excited to kick off the coming year on a high note and we invite the community to put their best foot forward and join us for a memorable evening all in the name of a great cause,” said Debbie Ellman, co-founder of Best Foot Forward.  “We hope to double the amount of money raised from last year so we can provide more services to our students and increase the number of students we help.”

Tickets are $100 and reservations are strongly suggested.  For reservations or more information, please call 561-470-8300 or visit www.BestFoot.org.

Boca Grove Country Club is located at 21351 Whitaker Dr. in Boca Raton.

The Best Foot Forward Foundation is a 501(c) (3) community-based organization created to advocate for successful educational outcomes for teenagers living in the foster care system in Palm Beach County, helping them transition toward becoming independent adults when they "age out" of state care at the age of 18.