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Coming up on May 13, A Safe Haven for Newborns will have its annual golf tournament at Trump Resort. Good news for all, the event is back to a shotgun start and promises to be a great afternoon of golf for all on the Red Tiger Course with lunch, beverages and contest on course followed by BBQ, reception, raffle and more to end the day. Tee off at 1 p.m. Join the fun and support an organization led by founder and CEP Nick Silverio, a nonprofit that to date has saved the lives of 360 babies from abandonment and possible death. For more information, visit https://asafehavenfornewborns.com/.
Yet another great event is also held on a golf course but instead of golf, guests will be transported to Bollywood. When you think of Bollywood, you envision dancing, colorful costumes, over the top entertainment, food and an altogether great experience. On May 21, Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami, will bring that and more to Crandon Park Golf Course, 6700 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne. The fun begins at 7 p.m. and will honor long time Lori Brener Scholarship Fund supporter, Norma Jean Abraham. This year’s event, which will benefit the scholarship fund, is co-chaired by Betty Barrios, Sonia Gibson, Neyda Raola and Miriam Salazar (mother of Lori Brener for whom the scholarship fund was named). Tickets are $220 per person and include premium open bar, international food stations, celebrity DJ, raffle and silent auction. To reserve your place for this fabulous affair, contact Ms. Anneleise Sanchez at asanchez@bbbsmiami.org or call 305-644-7064 ext. 5936.
In other news, Palmetto Senior High School and University of Miami alumna, Sandra Lopez Neill, has become an acclaimed international soprano who returned to UM being appointed to its faculty in 2019. As Covid pretty much prevented live performances, things are getting back to normal and on April 25 Sandra Lopez performed at UM Gusman Concert Hall for her first faculty recital since her Frost appointment. She shared the stage with Drama Desk winner and Frost Professor Alan Johnson on piano. Lopez’s voice coupled with her passion evoked strong emotions and was inspired. Lopez and Johnson’s program garnered several standing ovations as well as an encore. The show included operatic repertoire from signature roles created by Lopez’s MET Opera performances. The UM Frost School of Music faculty and its students are remarkably gifted and shows like this are a resource not to be overlooked. For information on the program and future performances, visit www.frost.miami.edu.
There have been so many great nonprofit events to cover it is a good thing our newspapers have added 2 inches. Did you notice? This past weekend, Coral Gables Woman’s Club held its High Pre Mother’s Day Tea on May 7 with a sellout crowd enjoying food by R Catering (Rita Tennyson), with a Bacardi Bar, Tea and an auction with such great prizes as weekend stays at the Westin Washington DC Center, Intercontinental Doral with breakfast for 2, brunch for four at The Biltmore, wine basket from Cana Wines and more. With a “Breakfast in Tiffany’s” theme, most all ladies carried it out with black dress, pearls and hats. Kudos to Kristina Jackson and Iris Segui, co-chairs for the affair who were guests on my Gloria Gab LIVE show recently. To view that show, visit Utube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPVIk1t6L9k or on FB: https://fb.watch/ctcjiiotg_/
In April alone, great fundraisers were held seemingly every day. On April 8, The Women’s Fund held their annual Power of the Purse Luncheon at a gala luncheon at the Hilton downtown. Event Co-Chairs Norma Jean Abraham, Ann Machado, DeAnne Connolly Graham, the host committee, staff and Board of Directors are to be congratulated on an amazing afternoon that raised $230,000 to support the many efforts of The Women’s Fund.
They truly “raised the roof” applauding the confirmation of Miami’s own Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court with Miami Mayor Danielle Levine Cava on hand to address the sellout crowd of some 700 people. Guests also enjoyed performances by Juliette Valle and Lee-Yahna Lawson and a testimonial by (Ladies Empowerment Action Program) LEAP graduate, Angelena Jackson. For more information on the organization, visit https://womensfundmiami.org/
Speaking of LEAP, that nonprofit recently held a huge “more than a fashion show” fundraiser where “fun, sustainable fashion & social justice converge.” Frost School of Music’s “Stamps Jazz Trio” entertained guests at the event that honored Florida State Senator Lauren Book as well as LEAP mentor and advocate Michelle Shindell. Originally scheduled for an outdoor event at a beautiful Coral Gables home on April 28, the venue was moved indoors to Coral Gables Congregational Church because of the predicted rain storms. LEAP’s Executive Director, Mahli Lindquist, welcomed what appeared to be a sell out crowd that enjoyed hearing from LEAP graduates Angelena Jackson and Nancy DeNike whose stories touched everyone’s heart as they were helped by LEAP after incarceration and moved on to success. Both started with a job at Dragonfly, an upscale thrift store that is looking for a new location. To learn more about the organization, check out my interview with Mahli at https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/ref=watch_permalink&v=768699110788116 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V54uMqrGFoM
Until next time, keep making each day count and share an act of kindness every day.
