Closing out Thanksgiving weekend, on Sunday, Nov. 27, the Junior Orange Bowl Parade marched down Miracle Mile to the delight of a larger-than-usual crowd of children of all ages.
Lovely pre-parade activities treated sponsors and other VIPs with a nice reception before the show. Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) president Charles Knight, of FPL, welcomed everyone thanking the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the Orange Bowl and many other sponsors for their support.
Among the many notables in the crowd were Gables Mayor Jim Cason, former mayor and Orange Bowl Committee president-elect Don Slesnick, Gables Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick, Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill and Rita Magill, Coral Gables Woman’s Club president Debi Van Stone Moore, JOBC Queen’s Pageant chair Isa Goenaga with this year’s royal court, Nicklaus Children’s Marcia Diaz de Villegas, JR and Jodie Steinbauer, Kate Swain, and JOBC executive director Jessica Cerda, Zeke Guilford with his grandson and daughter, and Yolanda Woodbridge with her granddaughter Madison and daughter Kathy.
That JOBC parade precedes numerous activities in the packed December calendar. In fact, the Dec. 15 lunch meeting of Coral Gables Rotary, to be held at the Coral Gables Museum, will feature the Rotary Award winners from the Merrick Festival Caroling Competition held the very week after the parade.
A past president of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, Sally Baumgartner, is the mastermind behind the annual caroling competition that truly bring the holiday spirit to the community through performances by some of the best school choirs from Miami-Dade County, public and private.
The Junior Orange Bowl continues its lineup of amazing events showcasing youth with events such as the 35th anniversary of its Sports Ability Games followed by basketball and on to the best juniors golf and tennis championships in the world. All of these amazing activities mean a huge economic impact for our community much like the JOBC’s big brother, the Orange Bowl Committee.
The Orange Bowl Festival with its myriad events generate millions of dollars in tourist dollars while promoting South Florida to the nation and world. For more information on the Junior Orange Bowl events, visit jrorangebowl.org or call 305-662-1210.
Of course, many holiday related activities focus on giving back to others. A dozen or more Coral Gables Rotarians, including president Steven Spann, Bill and Melissa Quensenberry, and others started Thanksgiving Day at the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless serving meals.
This active club also continues to hold monthly bingo games for the veterans at the VA Hospital orchestrated by Yolanda Woodbridge who, with fellow Rotarian, also volunteers weekly at the Military Lounge at MIA.
As Christmas and Hanukkah draw closer, toy drives provide a wonderful way to share our blessings during the holidays with those in need. Scott and Belinda Sime continue that tradition every year collecting hundreds of unwrapped toys at their annual holiday party as do numerous chambers of commerce and other civic organizations.
Instead of a toy drive, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club have taken a different approach, choosing to collect and disburse $15 gift cards instead of toys to the patients of the children who use the club’s free children’s dental clinic at their party for the kids on Dec. 17. This always is a fun event where Santa usually shows up for some food and goodies and to visit with the kids.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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