More than 500 Broward and Palm Beach County philanthropists turned out Friday night for the opening of Junior Achievement of South Florida’s new 58,000-square-foot experiential learning center, which is intended to teach local students about the economy and money management. To show guests where their money went, producers kept the party inside, holding a street fair-style party in the facility's three indoor miniature cities.
Donald Braun of Donald Braun Events LLC staged the majority of the event in the center's park space, hanging paper lanterns and twinkle lights, adding grass-covered bars from Ronen Bar and Furniture Rental, and setting up a stage where the Marcia Mitchell Band performed throughout the evening. On the faux streets in front of the storefronts, Braun added colorful lounge furniture groupings.
The night began with a V.I.P. cocktail reception for 60 guests, who represented more than 20 capital companies and individual donors who contributed more than $10,000 each toward the construction of the new center. Once all of the guests arrived, a saxophonist playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" led guests into the park area for the main program. Junior Achievement president Melissa Aiello took the stage to thank the event’s sponsors—which included AutoNation, Spherion, and Ikea—and other donors who helped finance the center.
