Lisa Pechter

To My Dear Friends and Family, 

As EMINEM was quoted so long ago – “Will the real Lisa Pechter [Slim Shady] please stand up?” 

Well, the real Lisa Pechter is standing up, on the dance floor of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, with blisters on my feet, head swimming, perspiration running down my, well running down … and trying to remember all of the instructions without falling over! And all the while I am thinking, “Never ever, absolutely not me, I have no idea how to ballroom dance, I’ve never watched DWTS, and I am terrified of being publicly embarrassed!”

So as I repeat the mantras of my dance instructors… “Step here, hold my arm there, bend one knee but keep the other knee straight, hold my head up high, turn my hips out, suck my abs in, keep my derriere tight, and yes, most importantly, keep my  “t’s” over my toes and my balls on the floor”…  I am wondering over and over again, how did I get here – what made me agree to do this?  And yes I am humbled, very humbled as I try to “mirror” my professional dance partner as we Salsa and Rumba around the room.  Did somebody say “Saint Ivan?” 

I am so far out of my comfort zone, that I need a passport to get back there. This is clearly something I cannot believe I said YES to do…. but

I truly believe in the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s mission of providing scholarships and educational grants to deserving students so that they can realize their potential and their dreams. Dollars raised will make sure our deserving youth have the funds and tools they need to build a future of promise.  Since its inception 30 years ago, the George Snow Scholarship Fund has helped more than 1,300 students with over $5.4 million in scholarships and educational grants.  This year alone, the Fund awarded more than $509,000 in scholarships to 73 students! Here are some amazing facts:  

• 98.08 % of Snow Scholars graduate from college. Compared to 52.8% national average.
• Average grade point average of graduating Snow Scholars is 3.546 on a 4-point scale.
• 94.12% of Snow Scholars work while at school an average of 22.22 hours per week.
• 92.16% of Snow Scholars work during the summer an average of 35.53 hours per week.
• 39.22% come from single parent families.
• 35.29% are the first in their family to attend college.
• 21.12% go on to achieve an advanced degree.

I am counting on my friends and family to support my efforts and help me bring home the Mirror Ball Trophy (awarded to the dancer who raises the most money) with a brilliant finish.

 How can you help?

First, I invite you to come witness my dancing debut in person by purchasing a ticket to:
Boca’s Ballroom Battle
Benefitting The George Snow Scholarship Fund
Friday, August 17th, 2012
Boca Raton Resort and Club
6 to 10:30 pm.  

As my friends and family, YOU can cheer me on (or cheer me up) as I compete with seven other more confident (but hopefully not more competent) dancers to win the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy (that would be the icing on the cake for me after the Miami Heat took home theirs). 

I have “reserved” some fabulous tables – Tickets are $275 for front row tables or $225 for second row… all great seats!  I have been taking dance lessons for months and I promise my performance will be entertaining as I do my best.

If you are unable to attend, please help me raise money for the George Snow Scholarship Fund,   You can make a tax-deductible donation right here by clicking on the  “DONATE” button above.  Please select me as the dancer when you make your donation.  There are also opportunities to place an ad or message of support in the event program which also benefit this worthy cause.  If you have any questions or need assistance in securing tickets, writing an ad or making a donation, please call Debi Feiler at (561) 347-6799. 

There is no further invitation to this event so consider this yours and please say YES now!

So, do you believe in miracles????
Come join me on Friday, August 17^th!!!   I promise you will NEVER get another chance to see me do this!

 THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 xoxo
Lisa

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Lisa Pechter and her husband Marty live in Boca Raton.  They started dating when they were undergraduates together at Emory University Goizueta Business School. Lisa and Marty have three adored children, Danielle, 23, Zack, 22 and Coley, 22 and are further blessed with their extended family that includes Kyle Grossman, Ethan Wayne, and Lisa and Marty’s parents and siblings.

She is an active community volunteer and involved with a number of local and national charitable organizations and has administrative responsibilities for a fine art investment fund. Prior to moving to Boca Raton, Lisa received her M.B.A. from George Washington University and then moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she had a career in finance with a regional brokerage firm as head of the Partnership Finance Department.  Since moving to Florida in 1997, Lisa has been passionate about devoting a significant portion of her time to causes that focus on children and families, health and education. 

At the centerpiece of Lisa’s causes, SOS Children’s Village of Florida (SOS) in Coconut Creek, is one to which she is particularly devoted.  Her involvement with SOS began almost 15 years ago when as a family, Lisa, Marty and their three young kids came to help with various projects at the Village. After meeting many of the foster children growing up there, Lisa and her family became very attached and Lisa’s efforts and focus blossomed.  Lisa is currently involved in various activities with the foster children on and off campus, and also takes an active role in various planning directives, fundraising and awareness campaigns, auxiliary activities, and with an SOS mentoring and assistance program for the young adults over 18 years old.

Lisa and her family are also involved in other personally meaningful causes and philanthropic efforts such as Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, United Negro College Fund, Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue, and Emory University Advantage Scholarship Program.  

While very anxious about her abilities in ballroom dancing, it is a pleasure for Lisa to aid the George Snow Scholarship Fund by her participation in this event. She is very thankful for her friends and family who support and cheer her on!