The “Let’s Move Together” Second Annual Arthritis Foundation Walk held November 13 at Crandon Park and now in its second year raised almost $73,000. Cochairs for the event, Mireya Kilmon and Kathy Lubbers, were pleased to double last year’s proceeds but hope additional late donations will help them reach their $75,000 goal. To donate visit www.miamiwalk. kintera.org. Proceeds from the Walk stay in South Florida, funding two arthritis clinics, a yearly children’s camp and research.
Mireya Kilmon, a board member of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, recruited CGWC Past President Charo Bolanos as a Team Captain for the Club that also signed up as a sponsor. Among the hundreds participating in the walk: Debi Wilborn, Linda Hartwell, Claire Frances Whitehurst, Ana Lam, Pam Schaeffer, and Andy Young, to mention a few. This active group of women from South Miami (and most every other municipality in South Florida) had a very busy November supporting numerous events and collecting food for needy families whose children are clients of the Club’s May Van Sickle Children’s Dental Clinic. Owned and operated by the Club, the clinic provides more than $150,000 in free dental care annually to needy children and is one of many outreach efforts in which the Club is involved. For information on joining this dynamic group of women, visit www.coralgableswomansclub.org.
Team Paradise Sailing Academy brings together legendary sailors from around the globe to race on Biscayne Bay as part of the Calle Ocho Regatta Series, the most recent event taking place November 20 at Shake- A-Leg in Coconut Grove. World-class athletes race on mixed-teams uniquely paired with physically-disabled sailors. Team Paradise partnering with Shake-A-Leg Miami helps those with physical and developmental challenges to empower themselves by through sailing with US Olympic Gold Medalist sailor Magnus Liljedahl leading the charge. Among other renowned sailing vets who participate are Cuban athlete and current Snipe Western Hemisphere Champion, Ernesto Rodriguez, and his coach from the 1996 Cuban Olympic Sailing Team, Gabriel Alvarez; past Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Augie Diaz; and Roberto Lizano. Others include members of both the US Disabled Sailing Team and the US Sailing Team; US Blind National Champions, Janice Bartleson and J P Creignou; US Disabled Veterans of War; as well as volunteer sailing instructors from Shake-A-Leg Miami and the Team Paradise Sailing Academy.
The event not only served to promote disabled sailing but the Team Paradise Sailing Academy that features a sailing school, boat rentals, and classes for all levels of sailing from beginners to advanced. In addition, all proceeds from the Academy are dedicated to helping fulfill the organization’s mission to provide Paralympics equipment and coaching support to disabled and blind athletes from around the globe.
For additional information on Team Paradise go online to http://www.teamparadise.org and for Shake-A-Leg, visit http://www.shakealegmiami.org. Both organizations are Florida nonprofit corporations with 501(c) (3) IRS designation.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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