The 15th annual Mayor’s Ball hosted by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and Lourdes P. Gimenez generated more than $1 million to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade, supporting its efforts to improve education, financial stability and health locally.
The event took place in early June at the InterContinental Miami with 1,000 business and community leaders in attendance.
Harve A. Mogul, Gene Schaefer.
“Mayor’s Ball is a success, because of the generosity of everyone who supports the important mission of United Way of Miami- Dade,” Mayor Gimenez said. “When it comes to improving our schools, our health care services, the financial stability of our residents, and making our diverse community a better place to live, the United Way is always there leading the charge.”
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, with spirits and wine compliments of Diageo. After dinner, guests danced to the music of Latin Ambition and were treated to “La Hora Loca” when stilt-walkers and dancers joined the party on the dance floor.
Jeff Berkowitz, who chaired the event with his wife, Yolanda, led the room in a heartfelt toast: “May all of our leaders be blessed with the vision, commitment and strength to make this community the best that it can be. Let us work together to elevate Miami to new heights. Let us all aspire to contribute all that we can to make this community even better for our children and our children’s children. Live United.”
This is the third year Mayor Gimenez and Lourdes P. Gimenez served as Mayor’s Ball hosts, carrying on the legacy of the event created by former Mayor Alex Penelas and his wife, Lilliam, in 1998. United Way was selected as the beneficiary given its broad reach across the county and its residents.
Event vice chairs included Jayne and Leonard Abess; Sandy Grossman and Richard A. Berkowitz; Shelly and Steve Brodie; Alexia and Herman Echevarria; Alexander P. Heckler; Debbie and Christopher Hodgkins; Marcelo Llorente; Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, and Jo and John Sumberg.
Event hosts included Sara and Ugo Colombo; Ana Cristina and Edgardo Defortuna; Mary Lou Rodon-Dolara and Peter J. Dolara; Eva and Matthew B. Gorson; Ana and Neisen Kasdin; Gus Pego; Alfonso Rey; Yoly and Gene Schaefer, and Vincent M. Signorello.
The Mayor’s Ball presenting sponsor was the Miami Access Tunnel.
Platinum level sponsors included: Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz, Duty Free Americas, Lennar Foundation and Orion Jet Center.
Gold level sponsors included: American Airlines, Brickell Flatiron, BVK/MEKA, Coastal Tishman, Codina Partners, Diageo, Gorson Family, Greenberg Traurig, Medina Family Foundation, Miami Herald Media Company, Suffolk Construction’s Red & Blue Foundation, Turnberry Associates and Venue Magazine.
Silver sponsors included: Akerman LLP, Bank of America, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Odebrecht and Parsons Environment & Infrastructure Group Inc.
To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org, www.facebook.com/UnitedWayMiami or www.twitter.com/UnitedWayMiami.
