The month of May will be fondly remembered for its with countless events, the most notable of which, two awards events recognizing very deserving honorees.
On May 11, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s (SFLHCC) Golden Eagle Award Luncheon honored Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, of the 27th Congressional District. SFLHCC President and CEO Liliam Lopez, Chairman Ralph Gonzalez Jacobo, staff, and board members knocked it out of the park, as they say, with this beautiful and well deserved tribute that attracted such notables as Florida’s Lt. Governor Carlos López-Cantera, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez, and past recipients of the award such as Juan del Busto, the former regional executive of the Miami Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Dozens of elected city, county and state officials were on hand to recognize the Congresswoman’s impressive career. The first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, Ileana filled the vacant seat left by the late Claude Pepper and certainly made it her own.
Ileana tackled head on a multitude of issues and, as a former teacher who earned a PhD. D. in Education at the University of Miami, Ileana helped sponsor the Florida Prepaid College Program, by which many of our children and grandchildren have benefited – or certainly will in the future.
A wife of a Vietnam veteran and stepmother to Marine aviators, giving veterans access to a college education was also a priority. There are not enough words to praise this woman who served us so well and will, no doubt, continue to do so using her education degree and her vast experience to share with others.
Yet another recognition event orchestrated by United HomeCare was one that honors the legacy of a champion for seniors, Claude Pepper.
On may 17, hundreds gathered at Jungle Island for the 2018 United HomeCare Claude Pepper Awards Dinner. Among the list of honorees were, for Lifetime Achievement Elizabeth Dudek, Director of Health Care Affairs, Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; Corporate Service-Health Care, Penny S. Schaeffer, PhD, Market President, So. Florida-Florida Blue; Corporate Service, Bacardi U.S.A., Eduardo Cutillas; Education/ Advocacy, Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg, President F.I.U.; Public Services, the Honorable Esteban Bovo, Jr., Miami-Dade Commissioner District 13; Philanthropic Service, Jose Milton Foundation, Frank, Joseph, and Ana Milton; Thelma Gibson Community Service, Juan and Maria Del Busto, The Del Busto Family Foundation; and Community Builder, the Honorable Keon Hardemon, City of Miami Commissioner District 5.
Barbara Gray, United HomeCare’s Chairperson of the Board, quoted Claude Pepper, a man who work tirelessly on behalf of the elderly population, “They deserve much, and they need much,” something that United HomeCare strives to do daily; thus, a fitting way for this nonprofit to honor Pepper’s legacy.
In other news, the 2018 Arthritis Walk honored Doral’s own world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Alejandro Badia. Despite a really rainy morning, hundreds gathered to raise awareness and money to find the cure for the number-one cause of disability.
Kudos to all who all the teams and individuals who raised bountiful sums and braved the damp morning followed by a torrential downpour. Dr. Badia braved it all and no one complained about the heat – in fact, it was cool.
Finally, on May 22, more than 180 young people and some adults received the sacrament of confirmation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. Archbishop Thomas Wenski officiated over the mass with his inspiring and entertaining message to the young people that night. Congratulations to all the newly confirmed. May God bless you all!
Until next time, keep making each day count.
