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On May 16, two big events were held across town for non-profits that impact so many on our community, one for infants (A Safe Haven for Newborns) and the other for seniors (United HomeCare with its Claude Pepper Awards Luncheon). Happily, both events were a major success thanks to our generous South Florida community.
As for A Safe Haven for Newborns 8th Annual “Tee Off for a Cause” Golf Tournament, a full field of players gathered at the Trump National Resort to play on the Red Tiger Course where food trucks and bar tents as well as a DJ with music on a game hole provided lots of fun on a perfectly beautiful day with low humidity. Nick Silverio, CEO and Founder of the organization, was on hand to welcome and thank the many sponsors and volunteers who support this event as well as the fall gala year after year. This amazing non-profit to date has saved 416 newborns from abandonment; helped more than 6,000 girls/women assisted in their time of need or crisis; helped 74 mothers, their anonymity not a concern, choose to place their baby directly with a licensed adoption agency; helped 6 parents to successfully regain their parental rights; and even saved from abandonment 9 newborns in other states, and 1 newborn saved in the country of Honduras, securing their future. Among the many volunteering with this writer were Gina Perez, Meredeth McKissick, Corey Tennyson, and Marti Bueso, as well as Nick’s right hand in the office, Patricia Gallardo.
Secondly, United Homecare’s Annual Claude Pepper Awards Luncheon, was held at the Pullman, drawing a record sellout crowd, many there to support honorees like Community Newspapers’ owners, our own Michael and Grant Miller. Look for more info and photos on this event further on. Kudos UHC’s CEO Carlos Martinez and his amazing staff including Alina Palenzuela and Blanca Ceballos for their efforts in caring for the seniors in our community.
In other happenings, Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s held its spring new member installation on May 7, 2025. Second Vice President Kristina Jackson, the club’s membership chair, was assisted by Club President Arely Ruiz in conducting the ceremony that included candles and gifts for all. Among the 11 new members installed were Yolanda L. Gonzalez, Joyce Stokes, Joelle Saliba, Lina Pinzon, Nadya Gribanova, Irene Martinez, Lee Harper, Julie Fowler, Cristina O Alvarez, Roxy Collazo and Helen Tarbutt. This club is part of the General Federation of Women’s Club’s District 11 whose director, Dr. Ruth Martinez, has been kept very busy with club events as a leader and volunteer having served as president of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club before moving on to District 11 director position.
Speaking of Women’s Clubs, members of the Coco Plum Woman’s Club with District 11 Director Dr. Ruth Martinez were at the airport once again greeting returning veterans from the most recent Honor Flight that took veterans to Washington D.C. All the GFWC clubs in Florida are still actively raising funds for the GFWC Florida’s own honor flight they call “Flight to Honor” for female members who are veterans. Among the others on the welcome back committee on the most recent honor flight were Yolanda Woodbridge.
Martinez was also one of many volunteers at the May 17 Coral Gables Literacy Fair at the Coral Gables Library that attracted hundreds of families. The City of Coral Gables kicked off the day in honor of former Commissioner and civic leader Jeannett Slesnick with the inauguration of Literacy Row. Attendees enjoyed a day that offered entertainment, food, educational handouts and more. This annual fair aims to encourage children to read, especially over the summer when students are on vacation. Several local organizations and businesses were there to hand out promotional items of educational materials, including the Rotary Club of Coral Gables who gave away children’s books; the Coral Gables Woman’s Club whose members brought information on the club’s free children’s dental clinic; Coral Gables Crime Watch; and more. Among the many volunteers at the Fair were Rotarians Sally Baumgartner, Yoli Woodbridge, Dipak Joshi, Carol Brock, and Dr. Phil Boswell with members from the Coral Gables Interact Club: Coral Gables Woman’s Club members Nancy Desmangles, Meredeth McKissick, Ruth Martinez and Ana Lam (also representing Crime Watch).
On the cultural front, Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre’s new play, A Girl on a Train, brought a standing ovation on opening night May 16. This thriller was adapted from a Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel and is one you will not want to miss. The cast is superb and the story keeps you guessing until the very end. Kudos to artistic director, David Arisco, whose direction is ingenious. The play runs through June 8. For tickets, visit https://actorsplayhouse.org/shows/the-girl-on-the-train/
On the business scene, a super networker event was held May 13, at La Canita at Town & Country Mall. Members of Coral Gables Chamber, Greater Kendall Business Association, Chamber South, Profit Inc, and BNI convened for a beautiful evening live music, great hors d’oeuvres and a selection of drinks including margaritas, mojitos and more. Among the many faces there were conveners Carlos Ribero and Rick Alberti, Karen Rodman, Carmen Siman, Mria and Don Van Orsdel, Mike Sutta, Yolanda Gonzalez, Lillian Ser, LaWanda Loftus, Stephen O. Wright, and Giancarlo Ramirez.
Finally, here are dates to save on your calendar:
● June 4 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club Officers and Board Rededication Dinner, $35 pp, RSVP
● June 12 – Women in Music, A Series, compositions of historic women, presented by Coral Gables Woman’s Club 7 p.m./Tickets $30 pp or 2 for $55. www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org
● June 18 – GMFEA 12th Annual Conference, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Milander Center for the Arts & Entertainment, 4800 Palm Ave, Hialeah, FL. To register, visit GMFEA.org.
● June 28 – July 5 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club fundraising cruise, MCS World America out of Miami
● September 25-27 – GFWC Florida Fall Board – Rosen Plaza, Orlando
● October 24 – The Home Team 10th Anniversary Masquerade 5 – 9 p.m., $500 pp
● October 25 – 13th Annual A Wonderland in Safe Haven Gala, 7 p.m., Intercontinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza
● October 31 – Voices for Children Annual Luncheon at Loews Coral Gables
● November 7 – AFP National Philanthropy Day Luncheon – Jungle Island.
● November 7 – GFWC FL District 11 Meeting Was that changed?
● November 13 – Miami Lighthouse’s “See the Light” luncheon at The Biltmore Hotel. For information contact Cameron Sisser at csisser@miamilighthouse.org.
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference!
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
