Rotary Round-up to benefit Give Kids the World and Scholarships

Rotary Round-up to benefit Give Kids the World and Scholarships

Coral Gables Rotarians are partnering on Nov. 18 with The Colonnade Coral Gables (formerly the Westin Colonnade), 180 Aragon, for an evening of down home fun.

Leave your tux at home for this western-themed event. Come in costume, jeans, or whatever suits your fancy. Tickets are only $50 a person and include an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, silent auction, dancing and more. The party runs from 7 to 11 p.m.

The auction promises to offer opportunities to bid on great vacation packages, dining, gift items and services. Proceeds will benefit Give Kids the World (GKTW) and Coral Gables Rotary’s Scholarship Fund. GKTW is a 70-acre resort in the Orlando area that provides children with life threatening illnesses a free week’s vacation with their families. They have never turned a child away since inception.

This is the second time that the Colonnade and Gables Rotarians are joining forces for this great cause. Rotary’s scholarship committee members Charles and Terry Gomes, Fred and Yolanda Woodbrdige , Phil Boswell and others already are stepping up with commitments to sponsor and are reaching out to the community to match their efforts. Please call Gloria at 305-968-3090 for any questions on tickets or donations.

In another joint effort. on Oct. 7, Coral Gables and Miami Rotarians participated in the Miami Veterans “Stand Down” held in Lummus Park to benefit disabled and homeless military veterans. The Rotarians, coordinated by Coral Gables Rotary Club past president Yolanda Woodbridge, provided funding to purchase 500 toiletry kits which were distributed at the event. It always is great to see service organizations such as these working these working together to serve the community.

In more service organization news, Coral Gables Woman’s Club new members were treated to an orientation party at the Palmetto Bay home of membership chair Susie Tilson on Sunday, Oct. 16. More than 25 guests, including 15 or so new members, were on hand to enjoy the get together and meet new friends.

Among the many new members attending were Janet Osgood, Patricia Arosemena, Melissa Garcia, Barbara Markowirtz, Lili Nin, Spring Strong, Nelsy Rivas, Rita Tennyson, Susan Montesino, Jean Tong-Noon, Dale Poster-Ellis. Board members who helped with food and set up included Yvonne Elehalde, Robin Burr, Valerie Valenzuela, Maryann Etkin, Dr. Iris Torres, Kim Davidson, Mireya Kilmon, Jessie Francisco and club president Deborah Van Stone Moore.

Finally, the fifth anniversary of the Lori Brener Scholarship Fund of the Women’s Committee Big Brothers Big Sisters was celebrated at the Private Key Club in Wynwood with more than 200 guest enjoying an evening of dancing, dining and drinking in Bollywood fashion. Chairing this year’s event was Julia Alba, ably assisted by co-chairs Sonia Gibson and Miriam Salazar. Honoree at the affair was Darrin Smith, a former “little” brother and now a “big” brother.

Among the many attending the affair were Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera and wife, Renee; Gale Nelson, recently appointed president of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami; Lydia Muniz, CEO; Richard and Madeline Brener and family; James Murphy; Bronwyn and Maury Miller; Lourdes Tuleda; Debbie Young; Carol Surowiec; Aislynn and Dr. Scott McDonald; Danny Jelaca; Jill Daly; James Murphy; Rene and Migna Sanchez-Llorens; Sunita Bhagwan; Hector and Monica Betancourt; Irene Korge; Carol Chin; Shelly Fano; Robert Rosen; Harry and Theri Goldberg; Beth Ann; and Anthony Morgenthau.

Since its inception, the Women’s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lori Brener Scholarship Fund has awarded 17 scholarships to deserving Little’s who are now pursuing their educational goals at various Universities. For more information on the Lori Brener Scholarship fund, contact Marisol Garcia at mgarcia@bbbsmiami.org or 305-644-0066, ext. 935.

Finally, the Junior Orange Bowl Parade is just around the corner on Sunday, Nov. 27. Order your tickets now by calling 305-662-1210 or visiting jrorangebowl.org for this and so many other great events coming up soon.

Until next time, keep making each day count.

If you want to submit information for this column, please send your news via email to gloria@communitynewspapers.com.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.