A sellout crowd gathered at the Hilton Downtown on Nov. 1 to recognize major players in philanthropy at the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon.
The featured honorees who have made a positive impact on our community included Richard Bermont, the winner of the James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer award; Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, PA, recipient of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Julia Tuttle Award for Community Involvement and Corporate Citizenship; the Green Family Foundation, recognized as Outstanding Grant Maker; Sarah Arison, as Outstanding Philanthropist, and Oskar Garcia, as Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy.
Aside for those headliners, every table sponsor also honored an individual who has made a difference. Miami’s Community Newspapers was pleased to honor Steven Bradley of Clutch Burger who has raised many thousands for the Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s various charities and will be corporate chair for the Arthritis Walk in 2020.
Speaking of the Woman’s Club, Arely Ruiz PR’s table at the AFP event had as her table honoree Linda Hartwell, past president of the Woman’s Club who has selflessly served our community through club activities and fundraisers for the club’s free children’s dental clinic for decades.
The weekend of Nov. 1 was a busy one for the Cancer Link and Women’s Cancer Association at UM with a garage sale and bazaar just a mile apart. The garage sale for Cancer Link was held at the home of Norma Jean Abraham and there were lots of bargains to be had. Then the Bazaar for WCA took place at the American Legion Hall where lots of money was araised for cancer research and more. Kudos to all these women for their work to help prevent and fight cancer.
Lots of great events are coming up in December. Always a favorite is the Villagers’ annual Holiday House Tour. This year’s tour will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., in the Pinecrest area. “Inside Out – A South Florida Lifestyle” is the 2019 tour theme.
The tour will feature five distinctive homes from different decades, the ’50s, ’60s, and ’80s that have been renovated as well as two contemporary custom-built homes.
The event will provide some shopping opportunities with a gift boutique and the popular Attic Treasures vintage shop. Light refreshments will be served and a raffle of a hand-crafted quilt with the theme “Biscayne Bay Regatta.”
As always, members of The Villagers will be on-hand explaining each home’s distinctive history and features. Visitors walk and drive in their own vehicles between the properties. Venues cannot accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, or high heels; photography and video are not permitted.
Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available from Villager members or online at www.thevillagersinc.org. Ticket holders will receive tour directions with their ticket purchase. Proceeds support the preservation and protection of historic sites in Miami-Dade County.
Finally, the Marc Jaiden Foundation recently worked along side Univision Miami for their Feria De Salud (Health Fair). The team screened and provided glasses to more than 220 individuals. Marc Barbier and his team were grateful for the opportunity to partner with Univision with kudos going to Univision’s Angela Ramos and Emmy Award winning anchor Sandra Peebles for their efforts.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
