By Jesse Bratter
Stephanie, Jules and Eddie Trump—principal owners of Acqualina Resort & Residences—recently hosted the 28th annual gala for the Miami chapter of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, which the family established in 1995. Thanks to 650 generous supporters attending the gala, the foundation raised nearly $1 million that will benefit a young group of Dreamers who are now in the 4th grade and will become the graduating class of 2032.
Along with soulful sounds from Miami vocalist and musician Cameron Wheeler, guests were treated to a four-course menu, orchestra and dance performances by students from the 2032 Dreamers, as well as inspiring keynotes by a Miami Dreamer Tiondra Wright currently enrolled in college and by Stephanie Trump recognizing the efforts of the foundation’s Executive Director Jonas Severe and Project Director Nicole Taylor.
Funds were partially raised through a silent auction that awarded the highest bidder with luxurious getaways to hotels like Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam, Rosewood Le Guanahani in St. Barth, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa and The Ritz London. And a live auction hosted by auctioneer Jay Rokeach included dreamy destinations such as an Italian escape to property icons Le Sirenuse, Hotel Santa Caterina on the Amalfi Coast and Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria; a Swiss adventure with stays at the legendary Badrutt’s Palace, Baur Au Lac and Victoria-Jungfrau; and a trip to France with accommodations at the J.K. Place Paris and the flexibility to spend four nights at any property within the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
Whereas only 50 percent of students in low-income communities are expected to finish high school, thanks to proceeds from the evening’s gala the class of 2032 Dreamers will have the opportunity to pursue higher education with access to mentoring, tutoring and tuition assistance so that they may join the ranks of previous Dreamers who have gone on to become teachers, social workers, secretaries, scholar-athletes, lawyers and more.
For more information on becoming a part of this mission, call (305) 937-7834 or visit dreammiami.org.
