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The Annual Rotary International District 6990 Chris Morrison Golf Ball Drop fundraiser culminated on Thursday, February 4, at The Biltmore Golf Course with the big helicopter golf ball drop. It was the perfect time of year with many Rotarians gathering for lunch before the event at the outdoor terrace of the 19th Hole Restaurant. Yolanda Woodbridge, who accepted the task of coordinating this event, collecting the money from all the district clubs involved in South Florida and the Bahamas, calculated this year’s proceeds to exceed $73,000 to be directed to the Annual Fund of The Rotary International. They hold it for three years and then return that amount for District to distribute; so, it all comes back.
Most everyone stayed around to watch as a helicopter dropped numbered golf balls from the sky onto the golf course with the balls closest to the hole proclaimed the winning balls for some great prizes. Among the many attending the drop were District notables Alan Cohn District Foundation Chair & Past District Governor, Lee Phares Past DG, RCCG Past President and Golf Ball Chair Yolanda Woodbridge, Debbie Morrison (wife of the late Chris Morrison RCCG Past President for whom the event was named) and Elihu Phares.
In other good news, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, founded in March of 1946, is celebrating its 75th Diamond Jubilee year with an online auction hosted by Carroll’s Jewelers. This upscale auction will feature lots of diamonds, vacation stays, art, fine wines and more. The brainchild of this auction is RCCG’s Past President and Merrick Festival Executive Director Sally Baumgartner who is donating more than $10,000 worth of diamond jewelry to the auction with jewelry stores such as Snow’s, Jay’s and others including individuals following suit and donating great items. The auction opened on Valentine’s Day and will run through March 4. Proceeds will benefit the many charitable programs that the Rotary Club of Coral Gables Foundation supports including such notables as Chapman Partnership, Shake-A-Leg, Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic, Shelter Box and more.
A shout out to the Rotary Club of Coral Gables Foundation for a recent $2,000 grant to the Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic, one they doubled this year understanding its critical need. Of course, that was just one of many grants disbursed by the RCCG Foundation during the past year to numerous charitable groups and programs that desperately need support during this pandemic. Thanks to grants such as these and the Gringo Bingo fundraisers held at Clutch Burger whose proceeds these last several months were directed to the Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic, owned and operated by the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club to help serve disadvantaged children in our community.
Coming up this Spring, United Homecare, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit dedicated to serving older and disabled adults at home, is in the midst of planning for their annual Claude Pepper Awards Dinner to take place on May 20, at Jungle Island’s Treetop Ballroom, assuming COVID protocols can be followed safely. Last month honorees were announced and include Carlos R. Fernandez Guzman , Dr. Ranjan Duara, MD, Lilliam M. Lopez, Leadership Miami ALL IN MIAMI # 41, Pascal J. Goldschmidt-Clermont, MD, Jesus Quintero, Gary Press, Irina Vilarino, Barbara E Sanchez, Remedios IDiaz-Oliver, and Michael Finney. To help support United Homecare in its mission and celebrate these amazing individuals, become an event sponsor or purchase tickets by calling 305-716-0764.
Until next time, keep making each day count, be kind and stay safe.
