Longtime supporters, sponsors and board members gathered for a pre gala celebration sponsored by Smith & Wollensky- South Beach, whose General Manager, Henry Delgado, is a member of the organization’s board of directors. The restaurant provided guests with an open bar, yummy hors d’ouevres and a beautiful setting. ASHFN’s CEO & Founder, Nick Silverio, thanked the many sponsors several of whom were represented including Gina McDowell, from Coastal Construction; Arnie Perez with wife Carmen, and Doug Eney, from Carnival Cruise Line; Jackie Gutstein, of Baptist Health South Florida; Efrain Sora, board member, from Global Insurance; Roxy Sora, of Artful Fashions; Dr. Francisco Medina with wife Eva, from Baptist Hospital Pediatrics; Aurora deArmas, NCL; and Dr. Jaime Fernandez, a neonatologist and new ASHFN board member. Also enjoying the evening with this writer were long time supporter State Representative Rene Garcia, ASHFN board member Jerome Hurtak and wife Donna, Dr. Humberto Barrios and wife Beverly, Marti Bueso, Coral Gables Woman’s Club member Theresa Gilmore, Judy Ruiz, Ann McCormick, and Gina Perez, to mention a few. Everyone enjoyed a heartwarming video that demonstrates A Safe Haven for Newborns’ outreach and how it has helped saved more than 287 babies from abandonment and possible death.
The upcoming Gala for A Safe Haven for Newborns promises to be another stellar event and will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami on October 20. You will want to bring your credit card for their sensational silent auction and other wine and jewelry options. Guests will enjoy a great program, entertainment, cocktail hour, dinner, open bar, and more. Individual tickets are $225 per person and sponsorships are still available. For more info, visit www.asafehavenfornewborns.org.
In other news, District 11 GFWC Florida clubs participated in the September 15 Honor Flight out of MIA taking older veterans to Washington DC. District 11 Director Elizabeth Kourtesis Fisher, from the Miami Springs Woman’s Club, was one of the volunteers that actually took the flight to accompany a veteran while several members of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club arrived at the airport at 3:30 a.m. delivering 165 breakfast snack bags they had made for the veterans and volunteers for the flight. Volunteers, many of whom live in the Pinecrest area, found it a rewarding and emotional day for all and one they will not ever forget. Donna Myrill coordinated the snack bags with CGWC members participating that morning: Barbara Lapsley, Tiffany Perez, Kim Davison, Valerie and Elizabeth Valenzuela, Ana Lam, Kristina Jackson, and Vicki McGroarty.
On the cultural front, music lovers, students and supporters of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Henry Mancini Institute enjoyed a magical musical experience at UM’s Gusman Hall, witnessing 5-time Emmy winner composer, Jeff Beal, conduct the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra on September 7. This was the Opening Night Red Carpet Celebration for the season and the house was packed. A two part program began with Beal’s conducting his scores from movies and concluding with a thrilling stage to screen world premiere performance of Beal’s score to “Battleground” from Stephen Kings’ short stories “Nightmares and Dreamscapes.” The movie, starring William Hurt had no dialogue; so, the score, beautifully played by the HMI orchestra that had very little time for rehearsal, was the other star. Beal’s musical genius was captured that evening as the audience experienced a captivating show demonstrating how music plays such a critical role in movie production. Frost Music Live continues through April with more than 100 concerts featuring the Signature Series with some very special guest artists from the pop, jazz, Latin, country and classical worlds. For information visit www.frostmusiclive.com.
On the festival front, leading up to the Junior Orange Bowl’s 70th anniversary kick off celebration on September 20th at University of Miami’s Newman Alumni Center, the organization had a busy August. Beginning with a volunteer appreciation net worker on August 16th, a 70th Birthday Bash at Kendra Scott on August 18, and ending with a Back to School fundraiser at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza on August 21. For those interested in becoming involved in volunteering, the Junior Orange Bowl events offer many opportunities to serve. Specific events that are held over several days can especially use more volunteers such as Sports Ability Games, Basketball and Tennis. For more information, call 305 662-1210 or visit jrorangebowl.org.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
