The Rotary Club of Miami was honored for 30 years of giving during a recent reception hosted by Northern Trust Bank.
Dean Pascal Goldschmidt, MD, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, recognized the club for the scholarships given to hundreds of UM medical school students over three decades. Founded in 1917, the Miami Rotary Club is the trustee of the Thomas Brown McClelland Trust (TBM), which has granted more than $6 million in scholarships to more than 600 students.
Amazingly enough, 40 percent of those scholarship recipients go to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, making TBM the largest private provider of scholarships to UM medical students, according to Scott Richey. Richey is vice president at Northern Trust Bank and the 2013-14 president of the Rotary Club Miami.
Among those attending the reception were previous recipients of TBM scholarships in addition to Rotarians, Northern Trust Bank representatives and guests.
During his remarks, Dr. Goldschmidt mentioned other significant contributions made by the Rotary Club of Miami to local medical institutions including the establishment of the UM Bone and Tissue Bank, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Dade County Medical Examiner’s office.
In other Rotary news, District 6990 Rotarians gathered for a Rotary 2 Rotary event at The Sea View Hotel on The Ocean on Miami Beach. Rotarian and hotel general manager Raj Singh provided a lovely spread for the many members and guests attending the affair that drew Rotarians from Miami Dade, Broward and even the Bahamas.
Several of those same guests — including Ellen Blassi, Yolanda Woodbridge, Fran Stafford, Noah Solomon, and others — continued the party traveling south on Collins Avenue to The Orchid House on South Beach for a Brickell Rotary Club fundraiser.
The beautiful mansion was donated by the owners for the evening’s event that featured food from several great restaurants, a photo op with crazy hats and accessories, an open bar and a chance to tour the incredible property and shop with supporting vendors such as Gessy Aubry, a mixed media artist; Casey Levan, creator of incredibly beautiful and unique handmade bow ties, and more.
Florida Panther Cheerleaders visited Shell Lumber for Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 10. Free snow cones and the always “free” popcorn were big hits as fans came to pick up Panther items, pose for photos and get autographs. You always can count on Shell Lumber to be involved in the community and treat the costumers like VIPs.
Finally, save the date for the annual “Scoops of Hope” Breakfast at the Westin Colonnade on July 23, to benefit Give Kids the World. Charities interested in participating may sell tickets and keep half of the proceeds for their non-profit programs. Chef Thomas Russo always provides an incredibly yummy buffet topped off with ice cream for dessert, a meal that is completely underwritten by the Westin Colonnade. This is a great way for groups to raise funds with no risk. Tickets are $10. For more information on how your organization may participate, call 305-968-3090.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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