Coral Gables Rotarian Catarina Jimenez will be leaving for a mission to Iquitos, Peru, the largest city in the Amazon unreachable by road for her next humanitarian adventure and treated her club to a brief talk on April 13 about the remote areas she will visit and what she learned from previous missions to Africa living with the Maasai. This brave, amazing woman fearlessly travels to untouched areas of the world making friends and finding ways to help, learn and educate others. She is now planning a mission trip to Peru where she will travel the Amazon on a medical boat that reaches out to help tribes many of whom have had no previous contact with outside world. After learning much from her trips to Africa and living with the Maasai warriors in Kenya last year, she hopes to help others do a better job of effectively using their resources and donor dollars.
GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club planted more than 180 pinwheels for a Pinwheel Garden at their clubhouse on the corner of Sunset Drive and Nervia Street. In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the pinwheels were bought and sold by club member with proceeds from this effort going to Amigos For Kids. Anita Jenkins and Joyce Windhorst co-chaired this unique fundraiser.
Profit Open House at Ser & Associates in the Gables was a great networking opportunity for members and guests. Lillian Ser’s law offices on the 11th floor of the 2100 Ponce address provided a beautiful setting with its magnificent views of Miami. Among those attending were Daneza Socarras, Jose and Stacy Alonso, Kemp Mobley, Enrique Yunis, Jerry and Kathy Lance, Mike Sutta, and Dr, Joe Briggle to mention a few. Businesses in the Pinecrest and South Dade area are encouraged to check out this great group of business owners by visiting www.profitinc.org.
Speaking of Profit Inc., Past President and owner of Bay Plumbing Robert Beans’ wonderful father, Bob Beans, passed away this past month unexpectedly from a freak accident and services were held at Van Orsdel on Holy Saturday. Friends and family packed the place. Condolences go out to Robert, who is also a long time member of the Coral Gables Chamber, and his family on their loss.
Yet another great man who passed away far too soon was Coral Gables Rotarian Richard DeWitt whose services were held at the Coral Gables Museum that was packed to overflowing for his memorial. He was an amazing man, a friend to everyone, a world traveler with his beloved wife Luba, a skilled attorney and a humanitarian. He will be missed by all.
On another brighter note, kudos go out to former teacher Joan Reitsma, owner of The Giving Tree in the Gables, for orchestrating once again two student achievement breakfasts for local middle and senior high schools on April 24, and for middle schools who cannot make first breakfast and elementary schools on May 4. Students enjoy a full American breakfast and receive medals and certificates all courtesy of the sponsors and in-kind donors. Coral Gables High School Alumni Association is the Presenting Sponsor and the Hotel Colonnade the Host Sponsor. Other sponsors include Gulliver Schools, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables and Yolanda Woodbridge. This is an event that students look forward to every year and Joan’s dedication and hard work in carrying on with this tradition deserves much credit.
Make money for your favorite charity!! Once again, charities, school, youth groups, etc. are encouraged to contact this writer, at 305-284-7379, to participate in the Hotel Colonnade’s “Scoops of Hope” Breakfast on Wednesday, July 26. Tickets will be available soon to sell on consignment. Each participating charity gets to keep 50 percent of the amount collected and Give Kids the World gets the other 50 percent since the Hotel Colonnade completely underwrites the amazing full American breakfast with ice cream for dessert. Vendors wanting to reserve a limited number of table spaces for $150 each, may call Gloria at 305-968-3090.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
