Amigos For Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and educating communities, celebrates 25 years of continued service to South Florida with The Park 25th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, November 4 at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami, Florida.
Chaired by Lourdes and Felipe Valls, Jr., The Park Gala will host more than 500 supporters from South Florida’s social and corporate community for a night of celebration.
“For a quarter century, Amigos For Kids has made it our mission to prevent child abuse and neglect, and we have played a pivotal role in the well-being of thousands of South Florida’s children and families,” said Amigos For Kids President and CEO Rosa Maria Plasencia. “As proud as I am to look back on all that has been accomplished, I am even more eager for what lies ahead as Amigos For Kids looks to the future, and we continue to advocate for the most vulnerable in our community and beyond.”
Since 1991, Amigos For Kids has successfully supported critical programs and initiatives that have made the organization one of the leading South Florida non-profits dedicated to reducing child maltreatment. Since its inception, Amigos has reached over three million individuals through its myriad programs, initiatives and community events.
“The impact of Amigos For Kids on our city— past and present— is inspiring. Twenty-five years ago, some of our first efforts to aid the community came from the devastation post-Hurricane Andrew. Once again, children and families throughout South Florida find themselves in need due to Hurricane Irma, and our organization will help answer some of this need with funds raised that evening. We look forward to expanding the reach and impact of Amigos to continue advancing our mission and efforts,” Plasencia added.
Recognizing donors, sponsors and collaborators who have supported Amigos For Kids and its efforts, The Park Gala will honor Entrepreneur Jacqueline Dascal Chariff and International superstar Pitbull.
Dascal Chariff leads Continental National Bank’s Board of Directors as Chairman. An exemplary philanthropist and community leader, Dascal Chariff has supported Amigos For Kids since 2009, and has donated and raised over $200,000 for the organization. She will be acknowledged with the organization’s Celebration of Friendship Award.
The Amigos For Kids Celebration of Friendship Award recognizes individuals and entities whose support of the organization is instrumental in its success and ability to provide services to children and families in the community, and its tireless work to raise awareness about the prevention of child abuse. Past recipients of the award include: Bacardí U.S.A.; the Capó Family; the Gloria Estefan Foundation; Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón; the JP Morgan Chase Foundation; and the Ford Motor Company Fund.
The organization will also bestow the Amigos For Kids Lollipop Award to International superstar and entrepreneur Armando “Pitbull” Christian Perez. Pitbull is no stranger to charity work and believes giving back to his community is a responsibility as a role model. Therefore, the Grammy Award-winning global star supports efforts that help advance learning opportunities for children around the world. His efforts include the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the SLAM Foundation, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, the T.J. Martell Foundation and opening SLAM!, a public charter school in one of Miami’s most impoverished neighborhoods.
The Lollipop Award was instituted to honor the tragic death of Lázaro Figueroa, Baby Lollipop, and recognizes the outstanding effort and dedication of the recipient on behalf of children’s causes. Past Lollipop Award recipients include: Lauren’s Kids Founder Lauren Frances Book; Miami Dade County School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman; Child Advocates Sara B. Herald, Modesto Abety and Dr. William F. Lambert; Founder of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation David Lawrence Jr.; Former Barry University President Sister Jeanne O’ Laughlin; Former Amigos For Kids Board Member Ofelia San Pedro (posthumously); Miami Dade County Commissioner Hon. Rebeca Sosa; and Amigos For Kids Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus Jorge A. Plasencia.
Tickets to The Park Gala are $500 per person and tables start at $5,000, with all proceeds benefitting Amigos For Kids.
Funds raised will aid programs including the Jose Martí Park after-school program; the Amigos Strengthens Families & Communities Parent program; the 2017 holiday toy drive, and the Amigos For Kids yearlong There’s NO Excuse For Child Abuse!® Blue Ribbon Campaign and prevention efforts.
For more information regarding purchasing tables, tickets and sponsorships, please contact Amigos For Kids at (305) 279-1155, or visit www.amigosforkids.org.
Amigos 25th Anniversary The Park Gala is made possible through the generosity of its sponsors including: Academica, Baptist Health South Florida, Bacardí USA, Cantera and Associates, Pamela Silva Conde, El Dorado Furniture, Victoria San Pedro Madani, República, TD Bank and Versailles Cuban Restaurant.
