SUNRISE, FL – Hundreds of distinguished guests gathered for the Children’s Opportunity Group’s (COG) 66th annual charity luncheon at the Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale – 17th Street. This fashionable event, with help from The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills, proved to be a huge success, raising $70,000 to help underprivileged children, including impressive donations from the Charles F. and Ester M. Frye Foundation and the Greaton Family Foundation.
Brenda Clermont (center) was the luncheon’s grand prize winner, receiving a Tory Burch handbag and luxurious shopping excursion for herself and ten friends courtesy of The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills
“Sawgrass Mills looks forward to being part of this event each year, helping to raise much needed funds for worthy causes,” said Joellyn Fellmeth, regional director of marketing at Sawgrass Mills. “We are proud to lend our support to the Children’s Opportunity Group by engaging our retailers in a combined fashionable effort to give back and make a difference.”
Professional models showcased the season’s hottest trends during an unforgettable fashion presentation featuring looks from high-end brands found at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. Style-savvy event-goers got a taste of the luxurious retail collection available at Sawgrass Mills, such as Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, kate spade new york outlet, Piazza Sempione, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, St. John Outlet, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Tory Burch, Versace and Wolford.
Attendees also had the opportunity to bid on an array of incredible gifts. Brenda Clermont, the luncheon’s grand prize winner, went home with a fabulous Tory Burch handbag, which was seen during the fashion showcase presented by The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. She will also enjoy a shopping excursion for herself and ten friends, including transportation to and from The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills in a luxury Mercedes shuttle with champagne on board, lunch at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, a personal greeting upon arrival, concierge services and special gift bags.
“This annual fundraiser allows Children’s Opportunity Group to have a profound positive impact on the local community,” said Lisa Lawlor, president of Children’s Opportunity Group. “We appreciate the continued support of Sawgrass Mills, which adds a fashionable dimension to our already popular event.”
Founded in 1949, COG has a long standing tradition of helping underprivileged children in Broward County and is comprised of fifty women dedicated to supporting and enriching the health, education and welfare of the less fortunate. Past charitable recipients include: Ann Stork Center, 4 Kids Foster Care and Brookwood of Florida. For more information, visit http://www.childrensopportunitygroup.org/index.html.
