A Legacy of Giving: The COG Annual Luncheon Returns with This Year’s Theme, Petals & Pearls

For over 75 years, this annual fundraiser has brought the community together to uplift local youth.

The Children’s Opportunity Group (COG) has long been a cornerstone of philanthropy in Broward County, dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children. This dynamic group of 50 women has raised more than $1.7 million, providing essential funding for local youth programs. Their annual Luncheon and Fashion Presentation, set for Friday, March 14, 2025 at The Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, remains the heart of their fundraising efforts. With over 400 guests expected, the event will offer an elegant afternoon of fine dining, a curated fashion showcase, and a highly anticipated basket raffle and silent auction—all in support of vital children’s charities.

More than just a luncheon, this is a cherished tradition deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Since its founding in 1955, COG has supported organizations such as The Ann Storck Center, Covenant House, HANDY, Children’s Harbor, Ann Storck Center, Broward Children’s Center and God’s Little Lambs to name a few, ensuring that funds raised directly benefit children in need. The event’s famous raffle baskets, valued at over $80,000, are always a highlight, drawing enthusiastic bidders whose generosity helps sustain these programs. The passion behind this gathering is unmistakable—every dollar raised is a step toward creating a brighter future for Broward’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

With limited tickets available, this exclusive event is set to be one of the most talked-about gatherings of the season. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time guest, attending Petals & Pearls is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying an afternoon of elegance and camaraderie. For more details or to secure your ticket, visit childrensopportunitygroup.org/luncheon.

You May Also Like
Hope in the Form of a Pink Jacket

Every October, Michael Wild wears the same pink sport coat for 31 days.  For the past 10 years, the jacket has been his impossible-to-miss way of raising money for the American Cancer Society and breast cancer awareness. What began with six logos and a simple fundraising idea has grown into an annual tradition that has

Read More
A man in a stylish pink jacket and black shirt stands on a stage holding a microphone in front of a brick wall. Lifestyle
Turning Surplus Food Into Meals

Ellen Bowen remembers picking up a few trays of eggs and pastries from a hotel’s Sunday brunch and driving them to the Miami Rescue Mission. The food had never left the kitchen. It was perfectly edible, but without someone to collect it, it would have been thrown away.  That modest pickup in 2018 was the

Read More
Three women smiling in a selfie in front of a Food Rescue US banner while volunteering for food rescue. Lifestyle
Fort Lauderdale Professionals Celebrate the Launch of Charitable

On September 8th, Fort Lauderdale’s leading philanthropists and professionals gathered at Bar Betty, the sultry speakeasy inside Sunness Supper Club, to celebrate the launch of Charitable, Lifestyle Media Group’s newest publication that highlights the city’s charities and organizations. The evening marked another milestone as well, welcoming Ray Chehata and Chehata Family Holdings to the Lifestyle

Read More
A leopard sits on a zebra-print armchair, holding a magazine titled “Charitable.” Text above reads, “CHARITABLE: A New Publication will Reign.” Celebrating the charitable launch among Fort Lauderdale Professionals, text below says, “Welcome Chehata Family.”. Lifestyle
Plum Market Aventura Plans Back-to-School Weekend Celebration

Plum Market Aventura is turning back-to-school shopping into a family-friendly event with a three-day celebration designed to make stocking up for the new school year a little more fun. The specialty grocery store will host its Back to School celebration from Aug. 7-9, featuring discounts, product tastings, giveaways and activities for children. The event reflects

Read More
A black basket filled with cherries, apricots, peaches, and nectarines sits on green grass. The basket has a "plum market" logo on the side. Lifestyle
Other Posts
Fort Lauderdale Goes Overboard  

For five days each fall, Fort Lauderdale remembers that its waterways can also serve as the world’s most extravagant showroom.   The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) returns Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 for its 67th year, spreading sport fishers, center consoles, personal watercraft, and yacht-world royalty across six unique locations. The Broward County Convention

Read More
People relax at outdoor tables near a white sports car and luxury yachts docked at a Fort Lauderdale marina. The scene, with banners and umbrellas, goes overboard in showcasing a casual yet upscale event. Lifestyle
The Betsy Hotel offers a smart getaway for an afternoon or longer  

The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach has a reputation as one of the country’s premier literary destinations, where books and storytelling are woven into the guest experience.  The Betsy has long been a gathering place for writers and artists. Its renowned Writer’s Room has hosted more than 1,200 authors and creatives, while year-round poetry readings,

Read More
Modern library with bookshelves, a cream sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table, and blue velvet chairs around tables with yellow flowers. Warm lighting and wooden floors create a cozy, inviting atmosphere—perfect for a smart getaway or relaxing afternoon at the Betsy Hotel. Lifestyle
Swim Week of the Palm Beaches Returns

Swim Week of the Palm Beaches (SWPB) returns for its third annual celebration, September 25-27, 2026, at the Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island, bringing together fashion, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle for one of South Florida’s most anticipated emerging fashion events. SWPB will transform the five-star oceanfront resort into a multi-day destination featuring three evenings

Read More
A woman models a sparkling white bikini with a fluffy white collar and sheer, floral-patterned sleeves on a fashion runway. Lifestyle
Island City Stage Launches its 15th Anniversary Season 

The award-winning Island City Stage launches its 15th anniversary season with a campy homage to everyone’s favorite drama queen, Joan Crawford, in the theater company’s revival of the hit world premiere of Michael Leeds’ Who Killed Joan Crawford? The show runs October 1st through October 25th, with tickets on sale now. “When we did the original world premiere (which I was in),

Read More
A person in a red suit kneels on a suitcase, holding a large knife overhead. They have styled hair and dramatic makeup, with a theatrical, intense expression against a dark background—capturing the bold spirit of Island City Stage’s 15th Anniversary Season. Lifestyle