Date: Monday, November 12, 2007
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: University Center Club

Join Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge, the Chairman of the 17th Annual Night of Champions and the Kids Incorporated Board of Directors as we honor the 2007 Champions for Children and the 2007 Budd Bell Award winner. This black-tie optional reception, dinner & silent auction is a wonderful way to salute businesses, individuals and organizations who have been outstanding child advocates in the Big Bend community.

Proceeds benefit the REACH Scholarship Fund, which provide early education & care scholarships for low income working parents of at-risk children. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Judie at 850-414-9800 or by email at info@kidsincorporated.org. Mark your calendars and plan on joining us for this wonderful evening!

History and Past Night of Champions

Each year since 1991, Kids Incorporated has hosted a Night of Champions with the proceeds benefiting the REACH Scholarship program. One night in November, a dinner and silent auction help raise funds as outstanding child advocates are recognized.

Nominations for Children’s Champions are submitted by the public and all nominees are recognized at the dinner. The Children’s Champions are selected by the event Chairs and the Board of Directors and these individuals/organizations receive special recognition. A Budd Bell Award has been presented since 1991, when the initial award was unveiled and presented to its namesake, Kids Incorporated founder, Budd Bell. Since then, the Budd Bell Award has been presented to an outstanding individual in recognition of their significant contribution to area children.

The 16th Annual Night of Champions was held November 13, 2006 at the University Center Club and was co-chaired by Mayor and Mrs. John Marks and Steve Uhlfelder. Both Jane Marks and Steve Uhlfelder were previously honored as Children’s Champions and Steve Uhlfelder had chaired the previous year’s event as well. The 2006 Budd Bell Award recipient was Bill Montford, former Leon County School Superintendent.

The 2006 Children’s Champions included:

Alfreda D. Blackshear, M.D.
The Challenger Learning Center
Jill Beth Harper
Dorothy Inman-Johnson
LouAnn Long
Joan Nabors
Allison Tant

Other nominees included: Susan Borland, Vernita Boykin, Boy Scout Troop 5 - Crawfordville, The Caring Tree Program of Big Bend Hospice, Sheila Costigan, Elder Care Services Foster Grandparent Program, FSU Dance Marathon, Dr. Jamileh Mikati, Angela Orkin, Merry Ortega, Otis B. Young, and Dr. Ed Zapert.

The REACH Scholarship program provides early education & care scholarships for Early Head Start parents, enabling them to work and enroll their children in full day-full year care.

The 16th Annual Night of Champions was made possible by the following sponsors as well as the many businesses and organizations providing items for the silent auction:

Platinum Sponsor:
AmSouth
MVP Productions
Publix Super Markets Charities
Tallahassee Democrat

Gold Sponsor:
Danka
Famous Dave’s
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Signature Office Supply

Silver Sponsor:
Culpepper Construction Company
Florida Association of Broadcasters
Florida Association of Insurance Agents
Mutual of America
Olson Insurance & Financial Services
Rogers, Gunter & Vaughn Insurance
Steven Uhlfelder & Associates
Tallahassee Community College

Bronze Sponsor:
Ajax Construction Company
Black Diamond, LLC
Booth Property Services
Brandon Moeller Memorial Fund
Embarq
Grayson Accounting & Consulting
Stan Pincus/Hamrick & Associates
Hilly Fields Florist
Holland & Knight
JRA Architects, Inc.
Thomas Howell & Ferguson

(There are .pdf files on this page. You must have Adobe Reader to view these files.
Click on the following logo to get Adobe Reader)

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-432-7352, WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.