Arts, culture and youth organizations raise funds for charitable programs

By
Gloria Burns
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Pictured here on Gloria’s Gab LIVE Show are (L to R) Angels for Humanity board member Claudia Coupet, event emcee and former tv host Marta Bloom, with CEO & Founder of Angels for Humanity Judith Joseph.

South Florida’s non-profits are having fundraisers non-stop this spring providing great fun for worthy causes.  On Saturday, April 20th, hundreds gathered at Paradise Plaza in the Miami Design District on NE 41st Street for the (FRC) Family Resource Center’s annual “Arts from the Heart” affair. Guests were entertained with music and dance performances while enjoying amazing food from such notables as Vinya,  and Flemmings with a Bacardi sponsored bar and two coffee stations. Of course, the more than 150 incredible pieces of art were donated by artists from all over the country and the world.  Lucky silent auction bidders were delighted to acquire  some impressive pieces of art that night and all for the cause.  FRC is a leader in child welfare services with a mission of preventing and treating child abuse and neglect through the strengthening of families.  For more information and this great non-profit, visit FRCFlorida.org. 

Pictured here performing at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club Greek Taverna Night are (L to R) Front Row: Nikolas Tsaoussis, Christopher Tsaoussis, Atticas Saez Back Row: Matthew Mpogiotzis, Mercedes Soto, Rebecca Panagakos, Samantha Panagakos, Mia Kokorelis, Catalina Saez, Alexia Panagakos, and Eleni Kokorelis.

Also in April, the Coral Gables Woman’s Club held a Greek Taverna Night, organized by Arts Chair Carol Horkowitz. This club fun night attracted dozens of members and friends bringing in more than $500 to benefit the CGWC’s free children’s dental clinic.  Aside from the amazing Greek food brought in by members, the St Andrew Greek Orthodox Dancers entertained the guests with several regional dances and then invited guests to dance with them. Among the dancers volunteering their time were Nikolas Tsaoussis, Christopher Tsaoussis, Atticas Saez, Matthew Mpogiotzis, Mercedes Soto, Rebecca Panagakos, Samantha Panagakos, Mia Kokorelis, Catalina Saez, Alexia Panagakos, and Eleni Kokorelis. 

Pictured here at Arts for the Heart are (L to R): Meredeth McKissick and John Lynch, Wilfrido and Iris Segui, Gloria Burns and Jerry Kavulich.

Angels for Humanity’s “Tea for a Cause” was sold out on Sunday, April 18th, the The Biltmore Hotel. (Look for coverage of that in the next issue for that “over the top”  fundraiser to help children in Haiti and throughout the world.) For more information on the cause, check out my interview with CEO & Founder of Angels for Humanity Judith Joseph, event emcee and former tv host Marta Bloom, and board member Claudia Coupet at https://communitynewspapers.com/videos-2/glorias-gab-live-with-guests-claudia-coupet-marta-bloom-and-judith-joseph/

Coming up in May are some impressive events.  On Mother’s Day weekend, the fun begins with 305 Pink Pack’s  “80’s Night”  to benefit the fight against cancer on Friday, May 10, at the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club.  Guests are encouraged to revisit the 80’s in cocktail attire or 80’s attire for fun. Tickets include drinks, bites by Bill Hansen Catering, and non-stop fun with the goal of raising $100,000 to provide transportation, child-care, groceries and more for local women in cancer treatment. General admission tickets are $150. For more info,  contact Rosemary Carreras at 305-859-1224 x 101 or rosemary@305pinkpack.org.

Pictured here at Coral Gables Bar breakfast mixer at Threefold Café are Judge Jason E. Dimitris, Frank Sexton and Dairung Chiang.

The next day, Saturday, May 11, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club members will hold their own fundraiser, a “Mad Hatter” Mother’s Day Tea, to benefit the club’s free children’s dental clinic. The affair runs from 1 – 4 p.m., at their clubhouse, 1001 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Coral Gables.  Come in costume or not: don a crazy hat or wear an elegant hat; or just come for an amazing Tea Party like no other. Chair Rita Tennyson has lots of surprises and you can bet there will be a lot of photo ops that day.  Tickets are $125 for adults and $85 for those under 21 years of age.  Guests will enjoy teas, Prosecco, some yummy delights from tea sandwiches to scones, music and a silent auction with some great items perfect for mom or that special person in your life. For tickets and/or information on the free clinic or on joining the club, visit gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.

Finally, in other news, Coral Gables Bar Association changed it up a bit with breakfast morning mixer on April 23rd, at Threefold Café where guests enjoyed some delicious breakfast items from avocado toast to French toast with strawberries. Among the many enjoying the morning with this writer were CGBA President Vanessa Vazquez, Judge Jason E. Dimitris, Dairung Chiang, Frank Sexton, Carmen Hiers, and Bruce Bounds to mention a few. 

Until next time, share your time and talents, count your blessings, and make a difference. 

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Gloria Burns
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.

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