FORT LAUDERDALE, Fl - More than 300 of South Florida's top philanthropists enjoyed a spectacular seaside evening to benefit Kids In Distress (KID, Inc.) of Broward and Palm Beach Counties at the 5th annual Boys N' Toys private yacht hop during The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Nov. 1. The exclusive event, presented by Marble of the World, supported by Meg Green and Associates and hosted by Northrop & Johnson, raised more than $150,000 for KID – making it the most successful Boys N' Toys event to date.

Will Spencer, committee member of Boys N’ Toys, Christine Vitolo, co-chair of Boys N’ Toys and Mark Dhooge, CEO of KID, Inc. showcasing silent auction items at the fundraiser presented by Marble of the World, supported by Meg Green & Associates and hosted by Northrop & Johnson.

Christopher McKinley and Christine Vitolo co-chaired this year's charitable social endeavor that paid tribute to The Marine Industry Cares Foundation. Scheherazade Ferrand was the silent auction chair and Paul Abad, Tim Bascombe, Robert Bowling, Larry Danielle, Phil Grose, Paul Hugo, Steve Mariano, Paul Meli, Kevin Merrigan, Richard Parrillo, Mike Sipe, Will Spencer, Charles Urso, and Anthony Zaidi all generously donated their time as committee members to make the Boys N' Toys private yacht hop a smashing success.

"Working with Kids in Distress for the Boys N' Toys yacht hop was an honor," said Christopher McKinley, co-chair. "From the dedicated committee members to the selfless volunteers to our incredible sponsors, it was a true community effort to organize this exciting, enjoyable and profitable event. It was a wonderful evening for a great cause that we expect to grow even larger next year."

Attendees to Boys N' Toys enjoyed private tours of Northrop & Johnson mega yachts including the Sovereign, the Golden Compass and Vango. Guests mingled aboard the yachts, enjoyed live entertainment, sampled elegant hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Bistro Mezzaluna and sipped creative cocktails while they browsed an array of luxury silent auction items. Highlights of the auction included a generous $7,500 bid for a dinner cruise aboard a private yacht and a private chef dinner for 10 at Casa D'Angelo that sold for $5,000.

KID gratefully acknowledges this year's additional supporting sponsors: Penny Parrot, Bistro Mezzaluna, United Automobile Insurance Company, Cathy and Larry Danielle, GPR | Goodman Public Relations , Padgett Negrete, Inc., Frank H. Furman Insurance, Vernis and Bowling, Meli Orthopedics, The Manor/The Venue, Patriot National Insurance Group, KM Wealth Management, Michael Utley, Mark and Joanne Snead, Keiser University, Matt Woods, Paramount Refreshment Solutions, Aaxon, Strategic Logistics and Relocation Services, Mike Sipe Entertainment, Events and Production, Law Offices of Finizio and Finizio, Casa D'Angelo, and Valentino's.

KID, now celebrating its 35th year of service to South Florida, is a nationally accredited, community-supported agency dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family and the care and treatment of abused children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. KID offers a full continuum of care that includes therapeutic services, childhood education, prevention and intervention, foster care and adoption.

ABOUT KIDS IN DISTRESS (KID, Inc.)
Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach Counties is a licensed nationally accredited agency working for prevention of child abuse, preservation of the family, and care and treatment of abused and neglected children. KID partners with corporations, organizations, municipalities, schools, and individuals to provide basic services to the underserved population in South Florida. KID services helped more than 6,300 children and families last year through Prevention, Foster Care, Preschool, Family Counseling Clinic and Emergency Residential programs. In 2011, KID and Nova Southeastern University opened the Kid Dental Clinic and NSU's Eye Care Institute at KID on the KID campus.

For more information on Kids In Distress, please visit www.kidinc.org or facebook.com/KidsInDistress. Follow us on Twitter @kidsindress1.