Andy Scott, a longtime supporter of the George Snow Scholarship Fund,
is honorary chairman of the ball with Robin Trompeter as honorary chairwoman.
Photo provided
By Amy Woods
Tommy Bahama shirts will meet Stetson western hats, and tropical sundresses will meet leather boots at the 23rd annual Caribbean Cowboy Ball on Jan. 30.
Tropical flair and rugged accessories always set a festively fun tone for the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s signature charity event — a fan favorite.
“People are in jeans and cowboy boots and cowboy hats,” said Debi Feiler, the fund’s vice president of program services. “There’s line dancing, an open bar, our live auction. It’s a party, for sure.”
Close to 550 guests are expected to fill two tents set up at Red Reef Park in Boca Raton for an evening of dinner, entertainment and fundraising to help financially needy students attend college. This year’s goal is $125,000.
Money primarily is generated through the live auction, which boasts elaborate — and expensive — items such as an airboat ride to the Everglades for six with a gourmet meal at a secluded ranch.
“You see nothing but birds and sawgrass,” Feiler said of the experience, titled “Camp Deliverance” after the Burt Reynolds movie. “There are several things that are exclusive to the cowboy ball that you’re just never going to find anyplace else.” Andy Scott is a longtime supporter of the fund and has been named honorary chairman of the event with girlfriend Robin Trompeter, honorary chairwoman.
“Robin and I have been regular contributors,” Scott said. “It’s the right thing to do. I really like the fact that, during the course of four years, they’re really staying in touch with these kids — and on a weekly basis. It’s not like they give them a check and say, ‘See you later.’”
In addition to the scholarship, the nonprofit offers several support programs aimed at ensuring academic success.
The Monday Morning Motivational Message is weekly communication consisting of inspirational stories and quotes. The College Supply Program is a gift bag of products scholars receive to use throughout their college careers.
The Summer Jobs Program is designed to help young adults enter the workplace.
“A lot of these kids, they don’t have that foundation at home,” Scott said. “You couldn’t ask for a more worthy cause.”
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