Fort Lauderdale, FL October 24, 2007 – The Seventh Annual Signature Grand Ghoul was held on Monday, October 22nd, at the Signature Grand in Davie. For the second consecutive year, the event was hosted was former Miami Dolphin great OJ McDuffie.
As is always the case, the Signature Grand provided a truly stunning venue to benefit the children of Broward County. The annual costume gala, presented by United Automotive Insurance Company, is a fundraising event that benefits The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and OJ McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation. This year’s event raised over $125,000 to help the children in our communities, making it the most successful event in the seven year history of the Signature Grand Ghoul.

Beau Parrillo from United Automobile Insurance Company, this year’s Presenting Sponsor, was a first-time attendee of the event. “Helping the children of our community has always been a passion and we appreciate what the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County and the Catch 81 Foundation does for our community every day,” stated Mr. Parrillo.

On hand for this year’s event was Mistress of Ceremonies, Courtney Young of Big 105.9 FM radio. The featured item of the auction was 2 tickets with airfare to a once in a lifetime event to the 2008 Super Bowl, which raised $6000.  Also included in the Live Auction were admission and airfare to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, a Lasik Millenium Laser Eye Centers procedure, Ultimate Sports Institute training sessions with Terry Kirby and airfare and admission to the NFL Draft in New York.

Also on hand were several current and alumni Miami Dolphins including Michael Irvin, Channing Crowder, Jesse Chatman, Sean Hill, Terry Kirby, Donnie Spragan, Greg Camarillo, Jeff Cross and Aaron Halterman, among others. Guests and team members had an opportunity to rub elbows and some lucky partygoers even got to dance with their favorite players.

Prior to the party in the Grand Ballroom, a VIP reception was held for the event’s benefactors. The Seminole Tribe of Florida sponsored this reception.  It was a great opportunity for those most responsible for making this event a success, to get photos with players, Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders, the Miami Dolphins’ mascot, TD and the Miami Heat’s Burnie. 

CBS, CW South Florida, Deco Drive, Channel 7, My33 and Insider Media Live as well as many other local media outlets were on hand to cover the event. Sysco and Premier Beverage provided awesome food and beverages. Continuous entertainment was courtesy of Elegant Occasions and Southern Audio and Visual, and Fairytale Designs by Cary lavishly decorated the mansion.

OJ stated, “Every year we get bigger and better. It was great to see guests having a great time and celebrities enjoying themselves. Knowing this event benefits the children in our community is the reason why we all have so much fun.”

The Chairpersons for this year’s Signature Grand Ghoul were: Lisa Catterson, of Imperial Body & Design, Cary Goldberg of Stiles Corporation and Angela Garcia of EventsIIRemember.
 
For more information on this year’s Signature Grand Ghoul or for sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 event, contact, visit www.thesignaturegrandghoul.org or Rich Ouellette, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, 954-592-0832.