The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale will host its premier “Spring for Education” event on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Truluck’s Ft. Lauderdale. Local leaders in education to be recognized include: J. David Armstrong, Jr., Robert W. Runcie, the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale and Jonathan and Sherry Hage. This exclusive event will benefit Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit organization that provides scholarships, mentors and hope to low-income at-risk youth.
Truluck’s Fort Lauderdale will be the perfect backdrop and host of The Galleria’s “Spring for Education.” Take Stock in Children supporters will enjoy culinary delights, popular spirits and a signature drink compliments of Truluck’s.
The Galleria’s Spring for Education will launch Take Stock in Children’s Top 100 Honor Roll Society fundraising initiative. Guests who make a $1,000 tax-deductible donation to the organization will receive a $100 dining certificate compliments of Truluck’s Ft. Lauderdale. This effort will allow Take Stock in Children to raise more funding to purchase college scholarships for deserving low-income students.
“The Galleria is proud to present this opportunity for Take Stock in Children to raise much needed funds for higher education scholarships,” said Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. “Education plays an important role in our community, and we are thrilled to rally behind such an important cause.”
J. David Armstrong, Jr. will receive the Vision Award for his significant contributions in helping youth achieve their dreams of pursuing a college education. As president of Broward College, Armstrong brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education and economic development. Under his leadership, the College has progressed from a traditional community college to an institution that also offers baccalaureate programs in targeted workforce areas, and for the past two years has been ranked in the top 10 percent of community colleges nationwide by the Aspen Institute.
Robert W. Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), will be honored with the Advocate Award. Under his leadership, the district has awarded teachers their first pay raise in more than four years, halted teacher layoffs and allocated enough funds to hire hundreds of new teachers in order to restore electives such as music and art in elementary schools. Runcie formerly served as Chief of Staff to the Board of Education for Chicago Public Schools in Illinois, the third largest school district in the nation. During his time with the Chicago Public Schools, he provided leadership in implementing the largest web-based student information system in the country.
Jonathan and Sherry Hage, founders of Charter Schools USA, Inc., will receive the Engagement Award. Under their leadership, Charter Schools USA has emerged as one of the nation’s most successful education companies, with more than 4,000 employees educating more than 40,000 students. The Hage’s commitment to education has resulted in Charter Schools USA’s success in producing the nation’s first charter school in the workplace, the first municipal charter school, and the largest municipal charter middle-high school. Mr. and Mrs. Hage currently oversee 48 charter schools on 45 campuses in five states.
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale, comprised of business and professional leaders, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world, will be honored with the Community Service Award. Locally, they have developed community service projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, and have supported educational programs such as Take Stock in Children.
“We appreciate this opportunity brought to life by The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale with support from Truluck’s, which will put the spotlight on education,” says Tracy Roloff, Director of Development for Take Stock in Children of Broward. “Launching the new Honor Roll Society will bring supporters together to fulfill the vision of advancing education and improving the economic future in our community and throughout the state.”
Sponsors of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale’s “Spring for Education” include Truluck’s Ft. Lauderdale and Bitner Goodman. To receive a complimentary invitation to this special event, please contact Tracy Roloff directly at (754) 321-2578 or troloff@tsic.org.