At this time of year, South Florida’s generous spirit is apparent at every turn. While South Miami Rotarians helped their Past President Gabriel De Armas, once again this year others were directing their efforts to children in need. De Armas solicited more help from students at Coral Gables High School where they gathered to prepared the gifts for the seniors. By the way, this club recently elected long time Rotarian who recently transferred to this club’s President Elect-Elect. He will serve for 2020-2021 after President Elect Jeff McNabb.
Back to holiday fun… local commercial and residential reactors Scott and Belinda Sime (Scott is a former Rotarian and Belinda is a former member of the Jr. Woman’s Club) held their annual holiday toy drive and party on December 8th collecting more than 350 toys. Since Scott is on the board of Lighthouse for the Blind, a portion of the toys will be directed there while the rest will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Yet another toy drive has been going on at Sloan’s Ice Cream. Owner David Olmo partnered with celebrity Chef Chris Valdes, a finalist on Food Network Stars, and the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club to share the joy of the season with the children at Chapman Partnership. The kids had a terrific time dancing, coloring, eating ice cream and finally receiving gifts from Chef Chris who donned the suit and filled in for Santa on December 12. CGWC President Arely Ruiz, of Arely Ruiz PR, took advantage of the event to donate a $500 check to Chapman Partnership’s VP of Development and Marketing Flavia Llizo from the Coral Gables Woman’s Club.
The Coral Gables Woman’s Club is holding a similar party for the children they treat in the club’s free children’s dental clinic on December 22. The club was most appreciative of the many Target Gifts cards donated by the staff and employees at Coral Gables Hospital. Club members and others were asked to donated $15 gift cards instead of the usual toys collected to let children get what they want or need and this is the second year they got support from the hospital thanks to CEO Cristina Jimenez. More on that party in the next issue.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
