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International outreach was immediate when Ukraine was invaded and District 990 Rotarians from West Palm and the Keys to Grand Bahama are also ramping up efforts to assist Ukraine and other countries being impacted by the war. In fact, the Rotary Clubs of Marathon and South Miami have already wired thousands and the Rotary Club of Coral Gables collected over $3,000 at a recent meeting to be matched by Rotary International. Of course, most all clubs worldwide are doing the same. Those wanting to participate in that local collection are invited to send a check payable to the Rotary Club of Coral Gables earmarked for Ukraine collection for the match. Email gloria@cnews.net for more info.
South Florida has an abundance of great service organizations filling gaps in social services and more locally as well. Groups like the Coral Gables Woman’s Club own and operate their own free children’s dental clinic providing close to $250,000 in free dental care to the children of the working poor. Likewise, Gables Rotarians who sometimes team up with CGWC, are great supporters of numerous efforts locally and internationally. Most recently Gables Rotarians made a $2,000 grant to CGWC to help fund the club’ dental clinic. In other local outreach, Gables Rotarians are planning a bus tour of Liberty City conducted by Urban League President T. Willard Fair. A longtime friend of the club’s Past President Sally Baumgartner, Fair recently addressed Gables Rotarians discussing the needs and ways he envisions making positive change in that community. To understand what is being done and how Rotarians can help, Fair emphasized the importance of seeing the area firsthand and getting hands on, not just throwing money at the efforts. Looks like the bus tour of Liberty City is planned for the morning of April 2.
To fund all these outreach efforts, fundraising is also high on the list of activities. On April 2, Coco Plum Woman’s Club is presenting its Brunch & Broadway charity fundraiser at the club’s historic clubhouse (1375 Sunset Drive in Coral Gables). The affair will feature entertainment by the FIU School of Music and promises to be a lovely event. Co-chairing the event are Carol Nobles, Barbara Wexler and Charlene Feldner. The fun begins at 11 a.m. Tickets are $60. Checks should be made payable to: Coco Plum Woman’s Club and sent to Kim Schain at 16820 SW 137th Ave, #1324, Miami, FL 33177. For more information, call Kim at 305-322-4626.
Other GFWC District 11 Woman’s Club busy this Spring include the Miami Woman’s Club. That group recently held its first live meeting in nearly two years, re-electing for a second term the same Board that led them through the pandemic. The club also made a donation in honor of Black History Month to an organization that has established a student exchange with young people in Africa to learn about each other’s cultures.
Yet another great local fundraiser is held every year at St. Louis Catholic Church in Pinecrest that gives all the money raised to 10 charities in the community one of which is A Safe Haven for Newborns. ASHFN Founder & CEO, Nick Silverio, was on hand at the event that truly brings the community together .
On the cultural front, Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Arts Chair Kim Davison has been celebrating the arts in numerous ways and most recently hosted a program meeting to teach Greek dances. After not being able to perform because of COVID for a long time, the group of young dancers from St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church and GOYA – Greek Orthodox Youth of America, were happy to show off and demonstrate several dances taught to them since they were very young by Electra Spillis. After their dance program, club members and guests were invited to come forward to learn a basic dance performed at all Greek weddings, the Kalimatiano. Dancers sharing their skills that night were Rebecca Panagakos, Isabella Ventouras, Johanna Ernsberger, Lexi Panagakos, Simon Tsaoussis, Samantha Panagakos, Sophia Ventouras and Christopher Tsaoussis. The evening came with Greek food as well and lots of laughter.
Coming up next for this club will be their monthly Gringo Bingo on April 5, 7 – 9 p.m., at Clutch Burger on Giralda Plaza and then a Mother’s Day Tea on May 7, 1 – 4 p.m., at their clubhouse. Tickets @ $85 for adults and $55 for those under 21 yrs. Adults will get unlimited Bubbly and all will enjoy tea, music, scones, and finger sandwiches. A sell out crowd is expected; so, book your reservations early at Eventbrite or go online for more information at www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.
In other performing arts news, Coral Gables has some great free concerts coming soon. Look for Encore!, a free concert series presented by the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables and the Frost School of Music. Every Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. through April 7, the public is invited to enjoy free concerts at McBride Plaza (150 Miracle Mile) in downtown Coral Gables.
Finally, look for Gloria’s Gab LIVE Show on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. featuring entertaining and informative guests recent guests, members of Florida Grand Opera’s cast of Rigoletto: Charles Calotta, Stephanie Doche and Michael Pandolfo. Superb performances at the Arsht Center and Broward Center received standing ovations.
To view that show, go to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=554705498914530
Until next time, keep making each day count, share an act of kindness every day and stay safe.
