Children in need of dental care who fall between the cracks in our healthcare system have long been cared for by the May Van Sickle Children’s Dental Clinic, owned and operated by the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club. In fact, the Clinic is located adjacent to their clubhouse and provides more than $160,000 in free dental care for children throughout Miami-Dade County. To provide free services, the Club’s holds an annual fundraiser to supplement the gap in the Clinic’s operational funds. While such notables as the Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation and the Health Foundation of South Florida are among the generous donors, additional revenues are critical. As one can imagine, when our economy suffers a downturn, the demand for services sky rockets.
This year’s Casino Night themed “Gold Rush” was held on February 5 with more than 175 people gathered at the CGWC clubhouse for an evening of fun and games that included a Bacardi Bar, gaming tables, and dancing as well as bidding on great silent auction items. Casino Night Chair, Pam Schaefer, coordinated the affair with a committee of hard working club members including Auction Co-Chairs Susie Tilson and Myra Dominguez, Dessert Chair Barbara Lapsley, Decorations Chair Linda Hartwell and Carmen Suarez, to mention a few.
Among many enjoying the affair : Dr. Iris Tor res and Ralph Rivera, Dr. Leo and Martha Twiggs, Bill Lapsley, Charo Bolanos, Lourdes Perez, Mitzy Jenner, Sandra Rodriguez, Cindi Ruiz, Tom Tilson, John Burns, Lee Kessler, Christina Burns, Paul Mungo, Martha Black, Gail Jose, Frank Quesada, Ana Lam, Sabrina Perez-King, Lynn Bauer, Hal Wanless, and Claire Frances Whitehurst.
On February 4, reservists, active and retired duty officers and several civic leaders met at the Homestead Air Reserve Base for a “Meet & Greet” cocktail party giving Base Commander Col. Lindberg and his staff an opportunity to interact with a very supportive community. Among more than 100 in attendance was Dr. Charles Flowers, one of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen, a group of brave, smart and determined young men from all over the country to enlist and become America’s first black military airmen in WWII (when racism was the order of the day and when black men were thought to lack skill, courage and patriotism). The Tuskegee Airmen, justifiably regarded as heroes, proved that thinking wrong. Also enjoying the get together: Martin Rosen of the Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve; Hank Langston, Gulliver Schools, a former Military Affairs Chair for Chamber South; and several pilots. including Tim Rusch (call sign: “Dokter”).
Finally, more than 32,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s 27th Annual South Miami Rotary Art Festival. Art, crafts, plants, entertainment, a children’s alley, pets, and more promise to make this a fun filled family weekend activity. The festival will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the heart of South Miami, adjacent to The Shops at Sunset Place, just six miles south of downtown Miami.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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