Corporate and individual supporters came forward in record numbers as well this year to help achieve this fundraising success.  Diamond and Platinum contributors included The Leo Goodwin Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Perlmutter, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Mrs. Lorraine Thomas, Dr. and Mrs. Edmund Utkov, Dr. Alan and Mrs. Joan Ast, Joel and Marcia Hochberg, Drs. David and Maureen Smith, and a gift in honor of Elda Vitolo.  Among the foundation and corporate sponsors were The Albert Miniaci Family Foundation, The Huizenga Family Foundation, The Gaddis Family Foundation, Inc., American Express, Pepsi Americas, Waste Management and Rita and Rick Case, from Rick Case Automotive Group.

            Celebrity Chefs guests saw firsthand how the Preschool touches lives when they met recent graduates, triplets Amanda, Emily and Michael Nofplotes and twins, Darius and Mikai Willams. They stole the show when they sang “Reach for the Stars” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”.  Amanda, who has cerebral palsy, played the bells. 

            “This event is all about our kids, so to see how these tiny graduates have blossomed and inspired everyone at Chefs,” said Ann Storck Center Executive Director Jim McGuire. “We salute the many wonderful sponsors, board members and volunteers who made an event like this so successful.”

            Thanks to the generous support of Premier Beverage Company and Southern Wine and Spirits, a wine tasting was added to the event for the first time, and Anheuser Busch and Budweiser made generous contributions to the lavish open bar at the event.  Successful Images produced a moving video on the Ann Storck Center, which was shown just prior to the live auction Bids for Kids, when bids to support preschool classrooms are auctioned.  More than $65,000 was raised during Bids for Kids alone.        

            Among the other live auction items featured were a Mediterranean cruise donated by SilverSeas and a ride for two in one of the lead vehicles in the 19^th Annual SFPC Christmas Toys in the Sun Run, which was donated by Dave Amchir.  Raffle tickets were sold for beautiful diamond and blue topaz earrings from Dalia’s Unique, Inc. in the New Jewelers Market of America of Aventura. 

            Participating local chefs and restaurants included: Chef Nick Goeller for Bistro 256 at the Grapevine, Chef Dean Max at 3030 Ocean (Marriott Harbor Beach), Mr. Anthony Bruno at Anthony's Runway 84, Chef Christopher Nealon at Aruba Beach Cafe, Chef Elisabeth "Ute" Stork from Beach Watch, Chef Jon Howe at Brooks Restaurant, Chef Oliver Saucy from Cafe Maxx, Chef Seth Kuperman on behalf of Chef Dario Marquez at Samba Room, Chef Mike Smith from Spazio, Chef Elisa Eliot from In Home Gourmet and Chef Adrian Deacon from Bin 595 at the Renaissance Hotel, The Grill Room on Las Olas, Chef Lori Carmel of We Take the Cake, Chefs Luis Montalvo and Robert Murray on behalf of Chef Thomas Dursi at Gatsby's, Mancini's Chef Marcello Florio, Michael Blum of Michael’s Kitchen, Chef Rino Balzano of Rino's Tuscan Grill, Chef Tom Burnett, Jr. and Tara Trevethan, Tara’s Steak  & Lobster House, Chef Angelo Elia of Casa D’Angelo, Bob Roth from Bob Roth’s New River Groves, Chefs John Gilbert and Adam Longworth from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Chris DelCampo of Schakolad.

            Harpist Victor Espinola once again performed while guest browsed the more than 50 silent auction and 10 platinum level auction items, which included trips to South America and Cape Cod at the historic Orleans Inn, spa packages and skyboxes to Florida Marlins games. 

            Additional sponsors included Arie A. Taykan & Co., CPAs, BankUnited, City Furniture, First Southern Bank, Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital, Mel Wolf and Associates, Inc., Mellon United National Bank, Nova Southeastern University, and Regions Bank.