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Be Strong International hosted its annual Spring Charity Event on Tuesday, Apr. 5, at The Rusty Pelican, 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne.
This occasion was a milestone worth celebrating, as guests took in the Caribbean ambiance and exotic scenery during a fabulous night filled with fun, live entertainment, and exquisite cuisine. As part of its ongoing fundraising efforts, Be Strong International’s Spring Charity Event is where Miami’s philanthropists meet to celebrate the tremendous impact their donations will have among the most vulnerable populations living in South Florida.
This event was made possible by all sponsors, especially Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Miami-Dade County District 8; TD Bank, and Southern Asphalt Engineering Inc.
“We are excited to host our annual Spring Charity Event to help us continue all the services we have brought to the community during the past 30 years,” said Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong International. “We aim to become a national service provider that focuses intently on seeing individuals, families and communities become whole. 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.”
This year, the highlights of the event included an elegant sit-down dinner with picturesque views of the Miami skyline and waterfront, live music, performances, and the presentation of the “Making Our Community Stronger” Awards, among other activities.
Special guests included Dr. Jose L. Dotres, Miami-Dade Public Schools superintendent, and James R. Haj, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust.
The honorees for this year’s awards were Russell Benford, vice president, Government Relations, Americas at Royal Caribbean Group; Felipe Basulto, market president at TD Bank; Mayte Padron Cordones, director of Community Relations at WLPG Local 10; Dr. Amber Williams, founder and clinical director at Upright Spine Center, and Daniel T. Wall, assistant director, Office of Management and Budget at Miami-Dade County.
The evening’s emcee was Hunter Franqui, host of SoFlo HEALTH, a health, wellness, and lifestyle TV show on WPLG Local 10.
Smiles peaked throughout the crowd as touching stories were shared, awards presented, and guest speaker Shakilah Woodside shared the impact Be Strong International made on her life. The evening ended with tropical Caribbean music and a dance floor filled with people dancing and singing along.
Proceeds from ticket sales and all donations made will directly benefit youth and families. Be Strong International aims to invest in the expansion of programs and services that serve low-income communities in Miami-Dade and Broward, through improved organizational capacity and reach.
For donations, visit https://secure.givelively.org/donate/be-strong-international-inc/be-strong-international-s-30-year-anniversary
For more information and updates, follow Be Strong International on social media @bestrongintl or through their website https://bestrongintl.org.
Be Strong International is a leading non-profit that educates young people and parents through positive practices. Althea McMillan, a retired Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher, founded the organization in 1992. For more than 30 years, Be Strong International has provided youth and families in South Florida with tools to make better decisions about relationships, money, work, and family life. The organization uses evidence-based curricula to teach adolescents and parents about strategies for building healthy relationships. The institution also delivers educational programming to students and parents online, and in-person throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County.
