The Rotary Club of Pinecrest is once again stepping up to make a difference in our community, this time by leading a major native pollinator planting project at Howard Drive Elementary School in Palmetto Bay. The community-wide volunteer event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, located at 7750 SW 136th Street.
According to Rotarian Robert Bull, volunteers will help plant native pollinator trees, bushes, and shrubs designed to support butterflies, bees, and other important pollinators while beautifying the campus and helping educate students on environmental stewardship. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, including students, parents, Interact Club members, and Rotary Club members from throughout District 6990.
Community Service Hour Certificates totaling six hours will be provided to participating high school students. Tools will be supplied, and volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty along with closed-toe shoes. Participants should also bring a refillable water bottle. Gloves will be available for those who need them.
Adding a heartfelt touch to the project, participants may sponsor a “Dedication Heart” to be placed on one of the newly planted trees in honor or memory of a loved one or special cause. Donations are $10 per dedication and may be sent via Zelle to Pinecrest.rotaryclub@gmail.com or mailed to the Rotary Club of Pinecrest at 6695 SW 133rd Street, Pinecrest, FL 33156-7063. Proceeds will help offset the cost of the trees and pollinator plants, and donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
In other community news, May events helped close out a busy spring season that began with the Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s extravagant Mother’s Day Brunch held May 9 to benefit the club’s free children’s dental clinic. Mothers, daughters, granddaughters, aunts, and friends gathered for an elegant afternoon inspired by South Florida PBS’s Titanic Immersive Voyage theme. Upon arrival, guests received “boarding passes” for the cruise-inspired celebration and enjoyed unlimited mimosas throughout the afternoon.
Before entering the ballroom, guests browsed a variety of vendors offering last-minute Mother’s Day shopping, including favorites such as Leticia Matheus of Lele Reis Jewelry and the Miami Fair Trade Marketplace at Coral Gables Congregational United Church.
Inside the ballroom, where many guests arrived dressed in beautiful period attire, the atmosphere was festive and filled with wonderful photo opportunities. RCatering / Birdie Bistro impressed guests with an elaborate buffet featuring shrimp and lobster pasta, salmon, steak, shredded pork, assorted sides, cheeses, fruits, pastries and decadent desserts.
2024–26 Club President Arely Ruiz welcomed guests and thanked event co-chairs Carmen Suarez and Rita Tennyson, along with generous sponsors including Jeneissy Azcuy and South Florida PBS, Birdie Bistro, Arely PR, Siegfried Rivera, LEGACY, and Community Newspapers, as well as committee members Lydia Sanchez-Garrett, Dr. Iris Torres-Rivera, Lee Harper, Mayra Dominguez, and Carol Horkowitz.
Among those attending the elegant affair were newly installed 2026–28 GFWC Florida District 11 Director Shirley Pardon, Immediate Past District 11 Director Dr. Ruth Martinez, Linda Hartwell, Margarette Beauchamp, Maggie Ruiz, Ana Lam, Kristina Jackson, Julia Irvin, Flora Atkins, Ileana Marcos, Elizabeth Serrania, Valerie Krop, Teresa Portales, Veronica Ruiz, Penny Serrania, Laurie Belle, Nancy Desmangles, Vicki McGroarty, and Allison Bean.
As always, South Florida continues to shine with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and give back to the community.
Upcoming Dates to Mark on Your Calendar:
● Now through July – Titanic Immersive Voyage presented by South Florida PBS in Boynton Beach. For information visit South Florida PBS.
● Now through mid-September – South Florida PBS presents two immersive VR experiences: Colosseum: The Legendary Arena and Napoleon: The Immersive Saga. More information at South Florida PBS Immersive Experiences.
● August 15 – Miami International Mall Alzheimer’s Walk in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association.
● October 3 – Family Resource Center’s 29th Annual Strike Against Child Abuse Bowling Tournament at Bird Bowl, 9275 SW 40th Street, Miami, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Sponsorships and lane reservations available by contacting mvera@frcflorida.org.
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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