Remedios Diaz-Oliver.
The Jackson Memorial Foundation Golden Angels Gala raised $2.5 million on Saturday, Jan. 25, at a fantasy-themed affair that evoked memories of childhood fairy tales.
Some 650 guests — including leaders from the business, civic, and philanthropy communities — attended the event at Ice Palace Studios, 59 NW 14 St. The ballroom was aglow with candlelight bouncing off mirrored centerpieces and guests waving glow-in-the dark wands or wearing colorful glow bracelets and necklaces.
This year, the theme was “Meet Jack,” an entertaining way of presenting an historical perspective of Jackson Health System and a sneak preview of its future. The fun began when guests attended a cocktail reception set up to depict a railroad station complete with passengers from the era that Jackson began serving the Miami-Dade community.
After a train whistle, the curtains parted to reveal a ballroom featuring four “Jack” stations for appetizers, specialty drinks and live entertainment. A couple dressed like fairytale characters bounced on a trampoline at the Jack and Jill station; an aerialist slithered along a rope at Jack and the Beanstalk; card sharks tried their luck at the Black Jack table, and entertainers dressed like ice cubes performed at the chilly Jack Frost station. Following appetizers, guests were served dinner.
Emmy-award winning news anchor Laurie Jennings of WPLG-TV was the emcee for the evening. She made a grand entrance, escorted by Carlos Lopez- Cantera, chair of the Jackson Memorial Foundation Board, and Carlos Migoya, president/CEO of Jackson Health System, after a humorous video of her traversing the four “Jack” stations. The band, Higher Ground, and DJ Troubles provided music that kept guests dancing throughout the night.
Philippa Carsley won the jackpot of the night — a 2014 Audi convertible donated by The Collection. South Florida firefighters were on hand to sell 85 raffle tickets at $1,000 each for a chance to win the luxury car. Golden Angels Gala 2014 was planned by chairs Fana Holtz, Janice Lipton and Remedios Diaz-Oliver, and Host Committee co-chairs Janie Kupferman, Lydia Prio-Touzet and Susan Pullin.
The Golden Angels Gala is the signature event of Jackson Memorial Foundation that acknowledges its most generous donors, members of the Golden Angel Society. This year, the honorees were Harvey and Roberta Chaplin, Humanitarian chairs; Juan and Ophelia Roca, honorary chairs; and Hope of a Miracle Foundation, Honorary Foundation Sponsor.
For more information, call 305-355- 4999 or visit www.jmf.org.
