Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida hosts first-ever Virtual Gala and Auction April 24

NAPLES, Fla. - April 21, 2020 - PRLog -- The community is invited to tee up their smart phones and computers this Friday for a live virtual party as Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida hosts part one of its annual Breaking Par fundraiser. The annual gala and golf tournament to benefit Junior Achievement programs, is splitting in two this year – with the "Breaking Par Virtual Gala" to be held on April 24 and the "Breaking Par at Grandezza" golf tournament to be rescheduled for the fall at The Club at Grandezza in Estero, Florida.

On Friday, April 24, the virtual gala, titled, "Now More Than Ever," kicks off on YouTube with a pre-show happy hour at 6:30 p.m. followed by the live gala event at 7 p.m. Hosted by NBC-2 Anchor Rachel Pierce and auctioneer Scott Robertson, the live virtual gala features a live auction, fund-a-need, and student testimonials about the impact of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida in preparing them for success.

Guests can grab a cocktail, order in, or prepare their own fine dining experience from the comfort of their own home while bidding on amazing trip packages, golf outings, fine dining experiences, and many other prizes to benefit JA of Southwest Florida. Participants are encouraged to register in advance at JA2020.givesmart.com to begin bidding by phone.

As families and educators have shifted to online learning, so has Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, providing free online resources to teachers and parents with a focus on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

"Today is uncertain, but tomorrow represents hope and promise," said Scott Fischer, Board Chair, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. "While we will miss gathering together, the new virtual event gives everyone who supports education and financial literacy the opportunity to join us. We encourage you to share the event on social media and invite your colleagues, friends and family to participate as JA is critical to Southwest Florida's education and economy, now, more than ever."

The Breaking Par fundraiser is made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors including
The Club at Grandezza, ECCL, IBERIABANK, Jaguar Fort Myers, Juniper, LeadingEdge, Lee Health, ProGraphx, TECO and Tijuana Flats.

Since 1919, Junior Achievement's mission has been to empower young people to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices. For over 100 years, Junior Achievement has relied on dedicated volunteers and fundraising to carry out that mission.

Over the past seven years, "Breaking Par at Grandezza" event proceeds have contributed more than $382,000 in funding to support Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida programs throughout Southwest Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email info@jaswfl.org.