Students and professionals are invited to a fundraising gala modeled after the classic American novel, “The Great Gatsby.”
This gala is the first one geared towards students, recent graduates and young professionals in the community who are interested in helping to raise money for FGCU students in need.
According to sponsorship chairman, Peter Cuderman, of the 30 people on the hosting committee, 16 of them are FGCU graduates who know the hardships that students may be going through financially.
In addition to raising funds for the students through FGCU’s Dr. Bart S. and Peggy I. Cuderman Endowed Scholarship, the event will include the presentation of a Young Professional of the Year Award.
“It will not be solely merit based or need based,” said Cuderman. “We have a committee that will select recipients for the scholarship. It will be selected in the form of an essay talking about how the student has overcome something major to be where he or she is today.”
Cuderman also expressed the need to host a gala, not only to help raise funds for students, but also for a younger generation to enjoy.
“We couldn’t find another fundraising event specifically geared toward the growing ranks of young professionals in Southwest Florida, so we decided to start one,” says Peter Cuderman, the president of Pegasus Painting and the sponsorship chairman of the 30-member gala hosting committee.
According to Cuderman, because the event is geared toward young professionals, the gala costs $125 per person or $200 per couple. This includes drinks and access to a food buffet as well as entertainment.
The cost of each ticket and any donations raised will directly cover the scholarship.
The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 7 p.m. until midnight at The Knickerbocker of Naples, 2225 23rd St., S.W., Naples, FL. Tickets are open for sale now through Oct. 23, though tickets bought at the last minute are a higher price.
For more information, visit the gala’s Facebook page at facebook.com/swflgatsbygala or order tickets at http://bit.ly/2bSyaSP