Promise exceeds fundraising goal for 2021 Runway of Dreams event

BREVARD COUNTY — There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as 19 of Promise in Brevard’s residents with special needs took center stage June 23 to share their inspirational stories and walk the catwalk during the third-annual Promise Runway of Dreams Fashion Show & Luncheon at the Promise in Brevard Main Campus in West Melbourne.

The organization’s signature fundraising event, which took a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19, was the most successful Runway of Dreams to date, raising more than $50,000 for the nonprofit. Established in 2009, Promise in Brevard provides affordable housing, on-site amenities, vocational training & employment opportunities and an extensive resident community program for 125 individuals with special needs.

All 160 guests of the sold-out event, presented by Title Sponsor Thompson Wealth Management of Raymond James, enjoyed a plated lunch catered by Yellow Dog Café and the Promise Culinary Arts Team and a high-energy fashion show where Promise residents modeled summer fashions from the Promise Treasures Thrift Shoppe.

“We are so thrilled to have brought back one of Promise’s most iconic, heartfelt and impactful fundraisers,” said Jeff Kiel, Promise President/CEO. “Everything about the event was fantastic, but the feeling of pride and excitement and the smiles it puts on the faces of our Promise resident/models is what this event – and Promise for that matter – is all about. The feedback we have received from the community has been truly heartwarming. We can’t wait for next year’s show!

“Serving as the Title Sponsor for the Promise Runway of Dreams event is very special to my wife, Stacy, and I because we know all too well the lifelong journey of raising a child with special needs,” said Mark Thompson, CFP, Managing Director of Investments for Thompson Wealth Management of Raymond James, whose son, Chandler, 25, was one of this year’s models. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but that is particularly true regarding a child

with special needs. Bringing awareness to this very special population is so important because without the support of our community, a place like Promise could not exist.”

For photos and videos highlighting the 2021 Promise Runway of Dreams event, check out Promise in Brevard on Facebook @PromiseBrevard.

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About Promise, Inc.

Established in 2009, Promise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide affordable, independent housing for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities utilizing public and private partnerships to develop a model community. Located in West Melbourne, Florida, Promise in Brevard provides affordable housing, on-site amenities, vocational training & employment opportunities and an extensive resident community program for 125 individuals with special needs.

For more information about Promise and its mission of providing opportunities for individuals

with special needs, please visit www.promiseinbrevard.com or watch this video:

https://youtu.be/IH5inD1cSdY .