Halloween events kick off season of giving

Halloween events kick off season of giving

Coral Gables Woman’s Club started a series of Halloween related events on October 21 with their Annual Haunted House Halloween Party. Wild costumes, great food and music always make this the best deal in town. Proceeds will provide additional funding for the club’s free children’s dental clinic. Kudos to Barbara Lapsley, Marilyn Smit, Iris Torres, Ralph Rivera, Linda Hartwell and so many others for another stellar event.

This busy group of women, many of whom live in the Pinecrest area, also held a fundraiser at their November 1 meeting. Following dinner and a short meeting, members and guests enjoyed a bingo fundraiser for the victims of the earthquakes in Mexico. The Club’s International Department, chaired by Mitzi Jenner, orchestrated the fundraiser with lots of help from Mayra Dominguez, and meeting hosts Valerie Valenzuela and Arely Ruiz. The Club is always looking for women interested in giving back and making new friends to visit their website at GFWCCoralgableswomansclub.org.

Also at that club meeting, Club President Debi Van Stone Moore, of Gulliver Schools, presented the Member of the Month Award to Dr. Iris Torres, the Club’s Dental Clinic Director who not only has her own dental practice but also handles the club’s free clinic. Iris is always there with her husband, Ralph, and family whenever help is needed.

In yet another effort to help Mexico, on Monday, November 13, Coral Gables Woman’s Club is hosting a book signing and presentation by renowned author, Marcia Fine, on her most recent historical fiction, HIDDEN ONES A Veil of Memories. Enjoy the wine and lite bites as the author discusses her book at CGWC clubhouse, 1009 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Coral Gables, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Admission is free but donations will be accepted and encouraged, once again raising funds for the victims of the earthquakes in Mexico. RSVP to rsvp@arelypr.com.

Speaking of CGWC, Club President Deborah Van Stone Moore, of Gulliver Schools, is among the many “Spirit of Philanthropy” table honorees at the upcoming AFP National Philanthropy Day Luncheon being held at the Hilton Downtown on November 17. Community Newspapers is proud to recognize Debi at the luncheon. Featured among the main honorees that day will be the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation that is a long time supporter the CGWC’s Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic. More on this event in subsequent issues.

Also held recently, the 7th Annual A Safe Haven for Newborns Gala packed the ballroom at the Intercontinental Miami on October 21, when hundreds gathered to support this organization that has saved, in just the last 12 years, 269 babies from abandonment. CBS 4’s Lauren Pastrana emceed the evening introducing The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation “A Safe Haven for Newborns” founder Nick Silverio.

Taking the podium, Nick expressed his gratitude to all who attended and made the event possible including major sponsorship from the Anthony Abraham Foundation. Nick called up Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Board of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, to whom he presented the prestigious Monarch Award. Among the other notables recognized from the stage included artist Roxy Sora, who provides an original piece of art every year to the event and donated one of her beautiful wearable art tunics; Norris Perez, auction chair; Event Ambassador, Senator Rene Garcia: Foundation Director Henry Delgado, of Smith & Wollensky that hosts the gala launch party; Miami’s Community Newspapers; Charles Smith, ASHFN Chair; ASHFN Directors: Dr. Francisco Medina, Jerome Hurtak, Efrain Sora and Chief Otto Drozd; and so many others. Nick also surprised Gina Perez, a long time volunteer and ambassador, recognizing her for her outstanding contributions to the organization, and calling up a teary eyed Gina to receive a very special award during the program after which dancing and more merriment began.

South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women’s Society held a luncheon at The Biltmore Hotel to benefit breast cancer research with a great panel moderated by Cynthia Demos. This group is active with monthly meetings all over town and always with great program orchestrated by Lily Garcia and her board. Panelists provided great insight and information on breast cancer, risk factors, treatment, and more.

As we approach the end of the year, there are lots of dates to start filling your calendar. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 26, 4 p.m., join the fun on Miracle Mile as the 69th Annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade travels down Miracle Mile with lots of bands, floats, children and more. For tickets or additional information visit jrorangebowl.com or call 305-662-1210.

Sugar 4 Kids Toy Drive’ kicked off with a holiday bash called “Deck the Halls with Spaghetti & Meatballs” on November 10 at Peterson’s Harley Davidson. Guests donated $20 and an unwrapped toy for dinner, cash bar, live band, dancing and silent auction. The toy drive ends with a grand finale on December 9 with a police escort from Harley Davidson to West Perrine Park. Established in 1954, The Peterson Harley-Davidson Dealerships of South Florida were built on family values and community service and involvement. For more information or to participate, go to petersonsharley.com/toydrive.

Finally, non profits are encouraged to list your events on Community Newspapers’ website cnews.net. The listing is free.

Until next time, keep making each day count. Make a difference!


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.