N.I.C.K'.S 30th Annual Gala

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Chiera Family Foundation

N.I.C.K.'s sends children with cancer to enjoy summer camp at Camp Boggy Creek.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 17 2023

Chiera Family Foundation to Host 30 Year Anniversary Gala

And Golf Classic to help Kids and Young Adults Battling Cancer, April 23rd and 24th

BOCA RATON, FL – Celebrating its 30th year, The Chiera Family Foundation will be hosting its 30th Anniversary Gala fundraiser to help kids fighting cancer attend summer camp and college. After a hiatus due to Covid 19, the 501(c)3 nonprofit is back with its annual event scheduled for Sunday, April 23 at The Polo Club of Boca Raton. The Foundation’s signature Golf Classic tournament will take place the following day, April 24, at Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club.

The organization will also be honoring Mr. Ronald G. Assaf at the Gala. Mr. Assaf, founder and former CEO of Sensormatic Electronics Corp., was the initial presenting sponsor and supporter of this event. His generosity and Sensormatic’s sponsorship helped establish the foundation which has helped thousands of children who have battled cancer. He and his wife Kathy Assaf and their family have been long time sponsors of the annual gala.

Also to be featured is N.I.C.K.’s scholarship recipient, Lauren Bendenski, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 14. Lauren attended N.I.C.K.’s summer camp, as well as was awarded a scholarship and attended Washington University for undergrad in St. Louis. She is currently completing her studies to be a radiation oncologist after her fight against neuroblastoma. “It is truly amazing to see how our foundation’s work has come full circle,” said Board Member and Trustee Lou Chiera. “Some of the younger children we first sent to camp have now received scholarships for undergraduate and medical school and are now helping kids with the same cancers they once battled.”

Guests attending on April 23 will enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction browsing starting at 4:30pm followed by a sit-down dinner. After dinner, an exciting live auction will raise money to send children to summer camp. They also allow kids undergoing chemotherapy a chance to learn golf through a First Tee of Broward learn-to-golf program. A grant from the Florida Panthers Ice Hockey team’s foundation also helps teach them how to ice skate.

Approximately 16,000 children younger than 20 years old are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. The Chiera Family Foundation began as a tribute to the family’s patriarch Nick Chiera who passed away from cancer. The organization’s annual event has since evolved into one of the area’s largest fundraisers for children who battle cancer. The proceeds from the evening will directly support the foundation’s four programs: N.I.C.K.’s (Nothing is Impossible for Cancer Kids) Camp, N.I.C.K.’s Scholarships, N.I.C.K.’s Golf and N.I.C.K.’s Ice Skating. Each summer, the foundation helps send 150 kids to experience N.I.C.K.’s Camp at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Florida while N.I.C.K.’s Scholarships offer young adults a chance to attend the college of their choice.

This year’s sponsor list includes longtime sponsor KSM Electronics as well as other foundations and companies including Summit Brokerage, The Bomar Foundation, The Rubin Family Foundation, Carousel Development Corporation, Nancy Schroeder, The Notice Family, Winner’s Award Group, The Florida Panther’s Foundation, Bacardi USA, Apogee Commemoratives, J. Charles Crystal Works, The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, The Coral Springs Rotary, The Big Red Foundation and Minuteman Press of Coral Springs.

Individual tickets are priced at $250 with tables starting at $2,500. For more information or to purchase tickets to the 30th Annual Gala, please visit: https://www.chierafamilyfoundation.org.

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