Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Broward Education Foundation is welcoming guests on a journey down the yellow brick road with “An Evening in Emerald City” presented by BrightStar Credit Union.

So dust off your ruby slippers, don your favorite Oz-appropriate attire and come with courage, brains and heart as Broward Education Foundation celebrates 35 years of supporting students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools with “An Evening in Emerald City” on Friday, May 10 at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina, 2301 SE 17th St. in Fort Lauderdale. The spectacular celebration in the land of Oz begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a scrumptious dinner, dancing and show-stopping entertainment. Among the silent auction items are weekend getaways, entertainment experiences, artwork, gift baskets and more.

Ultimate Software, Inc. will receive the inaugural “Heart of Broward” Award for its generous donation of $500,000 to the official Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund created by and entrusted to Broward Education Foundation. The company was the largest single corporate contributor.

Tickets to “An Evening in Emerald City” are $250 per person and sponsorships start at $2,500.

“With all of its great fun, glitz and glam, we are excited to experience the mystical journey to Oz in support our students and teachers,” said Dustin Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing at BrightStar Credit Union. “We are proud to be involved with an organization that has a 35-year history dedicated to the future of our students and education in Broward County.”

In addition to Presenting Sponsor BrightStar Credit Union, sponsors include Memorial Healthcare System, Ultimate Software, Inc., Johns Eastern Co., Wells Fargo and Avaya.

Proceeds benefit Broward Education Foundation programs including innovative teaching grants to advance Pre K-12 achievement; educational materials for Title I school teachers and students; and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 754-321-2030 or visit browardedfoundation.org/aneveninginemeraldcity. For sponsorship opportunities, call 754-321-2032 or email colette.burns@browardschools.com.