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Be Strong International (BSI) hosted the Hearts in Rhythm charity gala at The Rusty Pelican on Mar. 6, bringing together community leaders, changemakers, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to strengthening families and empowering lives.
The night was filled with moving stories, heartfelt recognitions, and a shared commitment to creating a lasting impact. Through the generosity of the sponsors, donors, and attendees, BSI took a powerful step toward building a stronger, more resilient community.
As part of the ongoing fundraising efforts, Be Strong International’s Hearts in Rhythm annual charity event is where Miami’s philanthropists gathered to celebrate the tremendous impact their donations have among the most vulnerable populations living in South Florida.
“Our annual Hearts in Rhythm charity event helps us continue all the services we have brought to the community for more than 30 years. We aim to become a national service provider that focuses intently on teaching individuals, families, and communities to develop and maintain healthy relationships,” said Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong International.
“Teaching the importance of Heart Skills education is our main goal, and only with community support can we continue to make this goal a reality,” Shirley added.
Honoring Community Leaders
This year, the highlights of the night included the presentation of the Stronger Together Awards, where five community leaders were honored for their selfless dedication to their community. This year’s honorees included:
Vania Laguerre – senior vice president, Bank of America;
Kionne McGhee – commissioner, Miami-Dade County, District 9; Gene Schaefer – Miami Market president, Bank of America;
Lesly Simon – Community Engagement director, South Dade Automotive Group, and
Myrna Y. Vaca – community advocate.
A Night of Inspiration and Entertainment
Guests were treated to a surprise performance by Torry Shirley, a student in Be Strong’s After-School Club at Richmond Heights Middle School, who captivated the audience with his remarkable voice. The Pines Middle School Dance Group also delivered a spectacular performance. Torry Shirley was honored with the Rising Star Award and a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Miami Dolphins Foundation for his academic excellence and resilient spirit.
The evening was hosted by William C. Diaz-Rousselot, general counsel at Murgado Automotive Group Inc. and Julissa Rivera, community engagement officer at The Miami Foundation, who made the night engaging and memorable. Diaz-Rousselot and Rivera also introduced the Stronger Together Award honorees.
Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations are going directly to benefit the youth and families in the community. Be Strong International aims to invest in expanding programs and services that serve low-income communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties through improved organizational capacity and reach.
This event was made possible by all sponsors, especially the Presenting Sponsor – Mastercard, and the Community Champion sponsors – Kia South Dade, Amazon, and FedEx.
For more information and updates, follow Be Strong International on social media @bestrongintl or through the website: https://bestrongintl.org.
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