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The Rotary Club of Coral Gables (RCCG) honored Coral Gables resident Jeannette Slesnick as its RCCG Martin Hughes Citizen of the Year while Corporate Citizen of the Year honors went to Bacardi, both of whom had made a positive impact on our community over many decades.
The awards luncheon was held at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables with past president Frank Sexton handling the introductions and presentation of awards. Sexton noted that this award for Jeannett was long overdue for someone who has served on the Coral Gables City Commission, been president and active member of the Junior Orange Bowl, chair of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, actively involved in Junior League serving in leadership roles and serving on countless boards. A great crowd from St. Philip’s Church, family and friends came to support her acceptance of the honor.
While the Corporate Citizen of the year is only in its second year, Bacardi’s selection was a no brainer as a company who is all about community and family going back seven generations. On hand to accept that award was the company’s Heritage Curator, Rachel Guerin.
Speaking of making a positive impact. Neil Handler has founded the Phoenix Life Project, a nonprofit that aims to heal those suffering with trauma related issues. As the father of the lone survivor of the Surfside condo collapse, Handler understands that after the emergency services have answered the call with nonprofits and the community stepping up to provide food, clothing, and more, what follows are mental health issues that must be addressed.
With big plans to raise needed funding, in record time Neil has created the non-profit and has planned a huge evnt on June 25 looking to raise $3 million. While his focus starts with Surfside, he expects it to expand the nonprofit’s outreach to helping wherever disasters strike where those traumatized need treatment.
On June 6, I was honored to have Neil as a guest on my Gloria’s Gab LIVE Show with Patty Vila, of My Psychiatrist, to speak about how he, his son, emergency team workers, etc., are dealing with what they experienced much our men and women in the military who have been in battle. To view this show, visit www.facebook.com/Communitynewspapers/videos/595552855320292.
To check out the Gala on June 25 at the St. Regis, go to www.phoenixlifeproject.org.
Speaking of grand events, festival and event planners, entertainers and vendors were among the crowd attending and participating in this year’s Greater Miami Festivals & Events Association’s ninth annual Conference & Exhibition at Jungle Island on June 2.
From keynote speaker Lee Schrager of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival to some amazing entertainment throughout the day as well as an Elton John tribute show, the event was a great success. Kudos to conference producer Debbie Magenheimer; new GMFEA executive director Amanda MacMaster; GMFEA president Lanie Shapiro of Touchpoll South Florida, as well as the board and all the volunteers for creating a great event once again.
Former executive director Roberta DiPietro also was seen helping with this transitional year.
Aside from participating in the aforementioned GMFEA Conference & Exhibition, the Coral Gables Woman’s Club had a few busy weeks participating in the Literary Festival at the Coral Gables Youth Center, hosting the Tucker Elementary promotion party, and holding the monthly Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger that raised more than $1,000 thanks to the Law offices of Jerome Kavulich who sponsored the fundraiser that benefits so many charities.
In fact, a portion of the June 7 event money will be sent to a relief for musicians in the Ukraine fund, a charitable outreach effort for which the Frost Chopin Festival is collecting donations at their five free concerts. This fourth annual Frost Chopin Festival returns live June 19-26. Kevin Kenner, associate professor at UM’s Frost School of Music and artistic director of the Frost Chopin Festival, was a guest recently on Gloria’s Gab LIVE show to talk about these free world class concerts made possible by their generous donors. For more info on concerts, tickets or to live stream, visit www.frostchopinfestival.com.
Also attending the GMFEA Conference was Rotary’s Chili Cook Off chair and president elect of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, Frank Sexton. Save the date, Oct. 30, for a Halloween-themed Chili Cook Off that promises great family fun. Those interested in sponsoring and/or cooking chili, please visit www.chilichillin.com for all the information and applications.
Until next time, keep making each day count and share an act of kindness every day.
