12th Annual JustWorld International Gala Raises Funds and Awareness

On Friday, January 16, JustWorld International took a step back in time to ancient Greece and a huge step forward in support of the non-profit’s mission. More than 600 guests came from around the world for the 12^th Annual JustWorld International Gala at the beautiful Belle Herbe Farm in Wellington, Florida and celebrated a modern day hero in the process. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and guests and through the success of both the live and silent auctions, the 2015 gala raised well over $300,000 for JustWorld. The annual gala, presented this year by Caryl Phillips and Frank Zeiss, is JustWorld’s largest fundraiser each year, and it is those funds that allow the organization to continue its mission of acting as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world. While raising money and celebrating JustWorld’s incredible work and accomplishments, attendees at the gala enjoyed Greek-themed cuisine, provided by Whole Foods of Wellington, and drinks and cocktails compliments of the Grille Fashion Cuisine. Thanks to the help of event sponsors, Dazzle Creative Events, the party transformed host Belle Herbe Farm into a beautiful scene straight out of ancient Greece.After successfully acting as co-emcees at last year’s gala, Rocco Mangel, owner of Rocco’s Tacos, and equestrian commentator Steven Wilde returned to emcee this year’s event. The two started the evening by introducing a video segment on JustWorld, before turning over the floor to JustWorld founder and volunteering executive director, Jessica Newman who addressed the group and presented the second annual “Leg Up Awards” to outstanding JustWorld Ambassadors, volunteers and partners who demonstrate exemplary efforts in giving children in impoverished communities a “leg up” to a brighter future.Taking the stage after Newman was the 2015 guest of honor, Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes. Founder of the JustWorld partner project, Los Patojos, in Jocotenango, Guatemala, Juan Pablo was named a 2014 CNN Top 10 Hero thanks to all of his passionate and dedicated work. Los Patojos offers alternative education, art, nutrition, health, leadership and social programs for children in Guatemala. Recently JustWorld and its incredible family of sponsors helped to enable the construction and expansion of a new home for this ground-breaking, transformative organization. Fuentes spoke to the spellbound audience of the important work at Los Patojos and shared his vision of bringing dignity and opportunities to the youth of Guatemala.Before the night opened up for dancing and an eventual after party at The Grille Fashion Cuisine, guests turned their attention to the live auction in support of JustWorld.. Some of the most popular live auction items included a private lesson with Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut at Belle Herbe Farm, transatlantic airfare for one horse from the Dutta Corporation, VIP Table at the Longines Global Champions Tour Miami and an Asado barbeque with polo players Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips and Carlitos Gracida donated by Cilantro’s.The 12^th Annual JustWorld International Gala commemorated another incredible year of making strides for change to create a just world. The organization thanks sponsors, supporters and newcomers to the event and to the organization.If you were unable to attend the event, please consider making a donation to JustWorld in commemoration of our 12^th year of bringing a positive change to children in the developing world…and put us into your calendar for next year on January 22, 2016!Your donations and inquiries can be sent to:JustWorld International11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 10A-396Wellington, FL, 33414 USA561-333-9391JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization that funds life-changing education, nutrition, health and hygiene, and leadership and cultural development programs for impoverished children in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia. JustWorld International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and a registered Association 1901 in France. Tax-deductible donations are accepted in Switzerland and JustWorld’s supporters may send their donations to Fondation Philanthropia, a Swiss public-benefit umbrella foundation. Tax-deductible donations are also accepted in Canada. Canadian donors please visit:https://tidescanada.org/support/justworld-international-fund/. JustWorld International has no political or religious affiliation.