Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, along with presenting partners Carnival Foundation and Carnival Corporation, will celebrate the recent acquisition of the nonprofit organization’s new home in the heart of Miami and the generosity of donors that made it possible7 p.m., during the 2015 Big Event “Dream” Gala on Saturday, Feb. 28, at JW Marriott Marquis, 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami is a donor and volunteer supported organization that helps at-risk youths through adult mentor relationships.
Attended by Miami’s corporate and philanthropic elite, the 12th annual gala includes an auction, live entertainment, dancing, and gourmet cuisine. Festivities begin with cocktails at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m.
The program will recognize the fulfillment of a fundraising mission launched more than 20 years ago to establish a new home to support the ongoing expansion of the acclaimed mentoring program and enable it to better serve the almost 1,000 local children on a waiting list for adult mentors. Through the work of BIG Foundation and generosity of Carnival Foundation, a $5 million gift recently made possible the purchase of the new headquarters at 550 Le Jeune Rd. in Miami. The organization plans to move into the new building in the first quarter of 2016.
In addition to recognizing these achievements, the Miami affiliate, which received all three of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization’s top awards in 2014, is determined to raise tens of millions more dollars to find thousands of volunteers (“Bigs”) needed to match with children (“Littles”). The goal of the Big Dream Gala is to raise $1 million toward that goal.
Victoria Cummock is this year’s gala chair, Matt Gorson the honorary chair, Stella M. Holmes the auction chair, and Jeanie Hernandez the board gala chair.
Individual tickets for the gala may be purchased for $750. Sponsorships for tables of 10 that offer other benefits are available for corporations, organizations, and individuals on several levels: Dream Maker ($50,000), Dream Builder ($25,000), Daydreamer ($15,000), and Dream Team ($10,000). Table sponsorships also are available.
For event, sponsorship or ticket information, call 305-644-0066, ext. 294, or visit www.wementor.org/events/the-big-event-gala.
