The Coral Gables Community Foundation celebrated its Gala Kickoff and Benefactor Reception on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the home of Spanish Consul General Cándido Creis Estrada and his wife, Carla.
Foundation board members, gala sponsors, gala honorees and community leaders joined to celebrate this year’s honorees and the successes of the Foundation.
The evening provided guests a preview of what to expect at the upcoming Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation, taking place Friday, Oct. 20, at The Biltmore Hotel. Guests enjoyed Iberico Jamón by Cinco Jotas, tasty Spanish bites by Deliberico, Bulla and Pescanova, and a beautiful performance by Paula Marfil.
“The Coral Gables Community Foundation plays a distinctive role in enhancing the great values of the City Beautiful. Last night, Carla and I were very honored to collaborate with the members of the Foundation at our Consular Residence,” said Spanish Consul General Cándido Creis Estrada. “And, let us not forget our excellent generous sponsors — Jamón Cinco Jotas, Deliberico, Pescanova, Bulla, Hidalgo, Estrella Damm and singer Paula Marfil — for creating a successful evening full of Spanish flavor.”
Among the respected guests were Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, Florida Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, City Commissioner Michael Mena and Gala honorees Nancy and Jon Batchelor and Tom and Marie-Ilene Whitehurst.
During the evening, Mayor Valdes-Fauli and the Spanish Consul General shared their encouraging thoughts on the work the Foundation has done over the past 26 years for the City Beautiful. Gala co-chairs Sissy DeMaria and Mary Young announced the generosity of Paul and Swanee DiMare as the Presenting Sponsors of the Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation.
The evening also included a check presentation from Wells Fargo to the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Four-Year Scholarship Fund. Kaiser Ahmed, the Foundation’s newest board member and Wells Fargo vice president and district manager for Downtown and Coral Gables, represented Wells Fargo.
For more information on how to attend or sponsor the event — or for additional details about the Coral Gables Community Foundation — contact Mary Snow at 305-446-9670, mary@gablesfoundation.org, or visit www.gablesfoundation.org.
