Our readers who are involved in charity work are well aware that November 16 was Give Miami Day, an annual day of giving during which charities ask their supporters to go online to donate. The Miami Foundation coordinates this campaign, adding additional funds to the totals each charity raises with proceeds then directed to each charity. From Mothers Against Drunk Driving, A Safe Haven for Newborns to Camillus House and more, the options to give are endless and the funds raised incredible. This year they surpassed their previous record and raised in excess of $10.1 million for 695 charities.
Among the many charities participating was the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club and its Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic. This club not only provides free dental care for children of the working poor but also prepares 32 food baskets every year for the most needy families of the clients. The women collect gift cards for the children and toiletries that are packaged for Agape women for the holidays.
Women interested in being part of this great group of women to serve our South Florida community, are welcomed to contact Susie Tilson at 305-720-5181 or visit the club’s website at www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.
Also, on the topic of giving. Coral Gables Rotarians donate each year to help with cost of Thanksgiving dinners at the Chapman Parntership for the Homeless where the club members also volunteer to serve meals Thanksgiving Day. For many Rotarians, this is annual ritual that brings much joy to all.
On November 4, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, yet another participant of Give Miami Day, held a Casino Night fundraiser at a beautiful estate near the Falls. This first time event for NAAF in Miami had a 1920’s theme and was coordinated by immigration attorney Deirdre Nero with her many volunteers to bring about awareness and raise funds for the cause. It was a picture perfect evening after a little scare with some rain in the afternoon as the event was held in a gorgeous outdoor setting. Food, drinks, silent auction, photo booth and games entertained the guests until late in the evening. NAAF supports research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata. This is a common autoimmune skin disease affecting as many as 6.8 million people in the United States. It causes hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body. Deirdre and others affected by the disease in attendance were beautiful representatives for NAAF that evening.
On the international front, a trio of Rotarians represented our community in Geneva for Rotary Day at the United Nations. Since the United Nations was established in 1945, Rotary has been involved, having a permanent representative at the UN in New York and in Geneva, Switzerland. Every year, the UN honors Rotary with a special Rotary Day at the UN that has been held in New York. For the first time, this November it was held in Geneva. Among the local South Florida Rotarians attending this year were Gables Rotarians Yolanda Woodbridge, Kelly Graces and Hatsi Kiyanitza.
In other news, renowned author Marcia Fine was in town again on a book tour for her latest book, Hidden Ones. This is a fascinating story of the Jews in Mexico who were forced to practice Catholicism but, in private, maintained their Jewish faith at great peril. This is but one of many books this award winning author and gifted story teller has written. Marcia, who actually attended Coral Gables High School but now lives in Arizona, generously took time from her busy schedule on November 13 to hold a book signing for the Coral Gables Woman’s Club donating a percentage of the proceeds from her book sales that night to the club’s international committee, chaired by Mitzi Jenner.
The donation will be added to money already raised to help with earthquake relief efforts in Mexico. Club Vice President Arely Ruiz was instrumental in coordinating this evening that included a great Mexican dinner and drinks before Marcia’s entertaining and informative talk. Marcia’s husband Chip was also on hand to help with the visuals. Among the many enjoying the evening were Marilyn Smit, Ana Lam, Maryann Etkin, Marti Bueso, and Susie Tilson, to mention a very few.
May all our readers have a Happy Thanksgiving with prayers for all those serving our country who cannot be home for the holidays.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
