AFP Luncheon honors outstanding individuals and organizations

The Association of Fundraising Professionals with its partners The Miai Foundation, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning held its 29th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. The affair filled the ballroom at Jungle Island in a program that honored several notable individuals and organizations for their good work and generosity. The Luncheon, co-chaired by Patrick Morris, of Sabadell Bank, and Barbara Norland, of The Women’s Fund of Miami- Dade, was held on November 12th.

Among the honorees were Sonja Zuckerman (Lifetime Achievement Award), Jorge Perez ( Outstanding Philanthropist), David Lawrence, Jr. (James W. McLamore Outstanding Volunteer), Macy’s (Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Julia Tuttle Award for Community Involvement and Corporate Citizenship), and The Miami Foundation( Outstanding Grantmaker). Congratulations to all those who make our community a better place in which to live, work and play.

The Miami chapter of AFP is but one of hundreds of AFP chapters that celebrate National Philanthropy Day honoring those who give of their time, talent and treasure to make a psotive impact on their respective communities. Congratulations to AFP and all their honorees for promoting philanthropy with such a beautiful program.

In other news, the 10th Annual Key Biscayne Rotary’s Wine & Food Fest was held on November 21 and, despite a rainy evening, was a great success despite a rainy. Held at the Fairways on the Key, the event was packed with hundreds of guests enjoying samplings of amazing food and tasting numerous wines while socializing and bidding on an assortment of great silent auction items. The affair served to raise funds for the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and its affiliated charities for adults and children. Among the many faces in the crowd were Phil Lyons, who was among one of the people seen judging the wine; Gable Rotarian Yoli Woodbridge; visiting from Argentina Rotarian Silvia Gutierrez and Key Biscayne Rotary past president Mark Fried.

The UM Women’s Cancer Association Bush Chapter held its Second Time Around Fashion Show on November 19th at Coral Gables’ Courtyard Marriott. A packed house enjoyed shopping in the Bargain Boutique purchasing an assortment of designer clothes and jewelry before enjoying lunch and a fashion show auctioning off the modeled attire. WCA’s old friend and former television weatherman, Bob Soper, came to town with wife, Susan, to help emcee and provide his wonderful auctioneering skills. Among the many modeling those beautiful second hand fashions were Lynn Bauer, Gina Guilford, Ruth Jacobs, Margi Shanti, and Kathy Cutler, to mention a few.

Until next time, keep making each day count. If you would like to submit information for this column, send your news via email to gloriagalburns@aol.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.