Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County once again attempted to take supporters back in time with the seventh annual Déjà Vu Ball at the Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center on Saturday night. Organizers change the fund-raiser’s theme each year, and this time opted to focus on all things homecoming, with inflatable football players, cheerleaders, a marching band, and honoree Nat Moore, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver.
“Everyone remembers their homecoming dance and game,” said the nonprofit's C.E.O., Ana Cedeño. “It’s relatable no matter when you graduated and takes people back to high school and college. Plus, we’re honoring Nat Moore so there’s the the football theme there.”
Designed and produced by Sixth Star Entertainment and Marketing, the event started the trip back in time with the 360 guests entering the building through an inflatable football tunnel. The imagery continue during the cocktail reception, where two drummers had a battle on raised platforms before leading guests through a gauntlet of cheerleaders and flag-core performers into the main ballroom, where a marching band got the party officially started.
The Edge band entertained intermittently between the award presentations and choreographed performances from hip hop and break-dancers, which took place throughout dinner. Donna Summer served as the night's surprise headliner, singing classic songs like “She Works Hard for the Money” and “Last Dance,” which closed the night.
The event had 39 sponsors, with 24 donating between $2,500 and $50,000. Top sponsors included Publix, AutoNation, Bank of America, and Comcast. Cedeño estimates the event raised nearly $262,000, not including silent-auction sales, which is about 21 percent less than last year due to the lack of a title sponsor.
