The Education Fund's 40th-anniversary grand finale event, presented by Ocean Bank, celebrated philanthropic partners and honored 15 successful public school alumni, while raising funds for visual arts education.
MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / The Education Fund completed its 40th-Anniversary festivities with a successful FOR THE LOVE OF ART Charity Auction & Honoree Celebration, presented by Ocean Bank (Member FDIC) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Jungle Island.
Guests bid on luxury items and one-of-a-kind art created by public school students and teachers. They also enjoyed three interactive art stations - screen-printing personalized tote bags, collaborating on a yarn weaving, and adding vibrant colors to a community mural. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) art teachers guided these hands-on experiences.
The event also recognized donors from the past four decades. "We are so grateful to all our donors who made this 40-year milestone possible. It is the donor-community that ensures The Education Fund innovates to help public school students succeed," stated Linda Lecht, president of The Education Fund. "From installing Food Forests in schoolyards and using them as outdoor learning labs, to providing students with the power to get to college, to starting the first center that distributed companies' excess supplies to meet students' classroom needs, we continue to bridge the gap between public schools and private sector resources. These partnerships empower students with the tools and experiences they need to thrive academically and beyond."
"We are proud to celebrate the Education Fund's 40 years of outstanding work," said Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres. "They have been a vital partner in our mission to provide students with innovative education and the resources needed to bring them to life. By engaging the community and local businesses, the Education Fund has ensured that our students not only have access to a high-quality education but also the tools they need to learn and thrive."
For the Love of Art showcased extraordinary artistic creations by M-DCPS students and teachers who transformed donated materials from the Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials into spectacular works of art. All proceeds benefited arts education and The Education Fund Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials, which has contributed $28 million worth of materials to classrooms since its inception
"What began as an emergency response to Hurricane Andrew has evolved into a 33-year partnership that Ocean Bank is incredibly proud of," said Jeanelle Boscan, SVP and Head of Human Resources and Marketing of Ocean Bank and a board member of The Education Fund. "We've helped distribute donated resources to more than 4 million students across Miami-Dade County Public Schools and remain committed to making educational excellence accessible to all."
This year's art auction featured two additional special categories sponsored by the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation: "Celebrating 40 Years of Miami," which invited teachers and students to create art that celebrates Miami's unique culture and vibrant atmosphere, commemorating The Education Fund's 40th anniversary; and "We Love Yarn," which challenged participants to craft intricate works of art using yarn in various formats.
Lynn & Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation and Amazon also played a pivotal role in supporting programs that help students harness their creativity as a pathway to personal and academic success.
"At Amazon, we believe education is the foundation for future innovation," said Angelica Santibanez from Amazon. "Supporting The Education Fund's mission aligns perfectly with our commitment to building stronger communities. The creative works produced by Miami-Dade County public school students and teachers inspire us, and we're proud to help provide these educational opportunities."
The celebration recognized community and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to public education, including this year's Public School Alumni Achievement Award honorees - distinguished public school graduates who have made significant contributions to the community.
2025 Public School Alumni Achievement Award Honorees:
MARGO BRILLIANT, D.D.S, Drs. Brilliant, Rothenberg & Meister, Orthodontist
ROB CANALES, THE 3rd EYE, Chief Strategy Officer
EFY DISTEFANO, Watsco, Inc., Vice President of Tax
RAYMOND DUEÑAS, Miami Herald & El Nuevo Herald, Director of Community Affairs
BILL DUQUETTE, Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, Chief Executive Officer
MICHAEL HANKERSON, Dotted Line Music, Corp. Dotted Line Foundation, President & Founder
DR. MARYAM LAGUNA BORREGO, Miami Dade College, Sr VP & COO/COS
KATIE LEWIS, Burger King Foundation, Executive Director
DR. MICHAEL LEWIS, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Deputy Superintendent
MARILE LOPEZ, Marile & Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq Family Foundation, President
ELENA OTERO, McDermott Will & Emery, Partner
ERIC POMS, Orange Bowl Committee, Chief Executive Officer
GUILLERMO SANTA CRUZ, Homestead-Miami Speedway, President
RICHARD I. SEGAL RFB + Fisher, Potter, Co-Founding Partner
DR. MARIE SANDRA SEVERE, Jackson Health System, CEO, Jackson North Medical Center
The Education Fund's For the Love of Art 40th Anniversary Celebration was presented by Ocean Bank, with additional support from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Amazon, Lynn & Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, The Kirk Foundation, Peacock Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Florida Power & Light, Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Bradesco Bank, Boucher Brothers, Wells Fargo, South Florida Business Journal, All Florida Paper, Jackson North Medical Center, Bacardi, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Baptist Health, Humana, Synovus, Miami Dade College, Watsco, TD Bank, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Terrazas de los Andes, The Sunsof Corporation, Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, Pepsi, and Cafe La Llave.
For more information about The Education Fund's programs supporting Miami-Dade County Public Schools, visit educationfund.org.
About The Education Fund
The Education Fund brings innovative methods to local public schools, raises awareness about public education, and encourages private-sector investment. Recognized for improving student outcomes, The Education Fund has received prestigious awards, including the TD Ready Challenge, Greater Miami Chamber's NOVO Award for Non-Profit Excellence, South Florida Business Journal Business of the Year, and the Blue Foundation's Sapphire Prize, among others. In 2024-2025, the non-profit organization celebrates 40 years of student success. Learn more at educationfund.org.
CONNECT with The Education Fund Facebook: @educationfundmiami | Instagram: @educationfundmiami Twitter: @educationfund | LinkedIn: The Education Fund Miami
Website: educationfund.org | Event Hashtag: #ForTheLoveOfArt
Media Contact:
Trina Sargalski
pr@educationfund.org
305-761-8605
SOURCE: The Education Fund
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