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The Way Forward, formerly The Woody Foundation, is planning its 2025 Lobster Feast at Coral Reef Yacht Club on Feb. 24, and expects another sellout crowd.
The non-profit was founded by the Beckham family after their son, Woody, was paralyzed in a rugby match at age 22. Seeing the need to help others like Woody, the family created a foundation with a mission of enhancing the lives of those living with paralysis.
Most recently the Way Forward Foundation helped with the wheelchair division of the Miami Marathon on Feb. 2 and has a lineup of events to come from a golf tournament at Top Golf to its annual Fishing Tournament and Woodystock Music Festival.
The foundation’s executive director, Lucy Foerster, was a recent guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE to talk about their history, events and programs and the family foundation’s support for numerous outreach efforts.
The GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club held its Festival of Tables on Jan. 22 to raise funds for the University of Miami’s Thrive Clinic for victims of human trafficking. Many club members created themed tables including Anita Jenkins whose table theme was New Year’s Day hangover with lots of party hats, and great munchies from chicken wings to sandwiches and fruit brought by club members Yoli Woodbridge, Sally Perlman, Diana Martin, Julie Czaja, Pat Saunders and Helene Valentine.
Among the many tables was one that comprised of Coco Plum Woman’s Club members who were former members of the Coral Gables Junior Woman’s Club that merged years ago with the general woman’s club. For this writer it was a bit of a reunion seeing Barbara Wexler, Jane Noppenberg, Charlene Feldner, Donna Welcome, Marie Wilson and others who all danced together in CGJWC’s annual Cabaret shows for years to support the Coral Gables Club’s free children’s dental clinic.
Much like the previously mentioned Thrive Clinic, the Women Voice Network, founded by Iris Garcia, also is helping victims. This non-profit’s mission is to economically empower women who are victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking to live a life without fear.
The WVN board of directors and supporters are gearing up for a major membership campaign and fundraiser at VIVO at Dolphin Mall.
At WVN’s January board meeting, Armando Fernandez was elected to the board of directors, a dynamic group of volunteers who serve selflessly to help teach classes and more. Most recently, Iris Garcia returned to VIVO sponsoring an after-hours for those interested in getting involved with their mission. Among those attending were Kristina and Muzzy Jackson as well as Larkin Hospital CNO (Palm Springs Campus) Danay Arritola-Rodirguez and Patty Vila who were both featured in CN’s September/October 2024 Inspire Health magazine.
On the festival front, the Junior Orange Bowl continues its many events. They are looking for volunteers for its Sports Ability Games on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Palmer Trinity School, Those interested in serving as a volunteer should contact the Junior Orange Bowl executive director Madisen Michel at madisen@jrorangebowl.org. This is a most rewarding event and once you attend, you will be hooked forever.
Meanwhile, the Junior Orange Bowl Photography Competition is being judged with hundreds of entries. Winners will be notified with an invitation to attend an awards ceremony at the City of Doral Cultural Arts Center, Saturday, Feb. 22, 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit www.juniororangebowl.org.
In other non-profit news, Voices for Children Gala was held at Mandarin Oriental on Jan. 18 raising an amazing $1 million in one night. It was a night to remember with a who’s who of Miami in attendance including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who, in 1984, was one of the founders of VFC with Joni Goodman, Rita Switchkov, Cindy Lerner, Berta Blecke and others who were moved to action by the vulnerability of abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Miami-Dade County.
With a small seed donation of $4,000, Voices For Children Foundation was created to address the lack of state-allocated resources needed to run the local 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Office. Since that time, Voices For Children has provided more than 1,600 children in Miami-Dade County’s foster care system with a voice in court, basic needs, dignity items, and experiences including mission trips. Look for more on this event in this issue. For more info, visit www.beavoice.org.
Finally, here are some dates to save:
Feb. 24, 14th annual Maine Lobster Feast presented by Firestone Capital at Coral Reef Yacht Club, 6:30 p.m., to benefit the Way Forward Foundation.
Mar. 8, 32nd Villagers’ Garden Tour, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., in the Ponce Davis/South Gables area www.thevillagersinc.org.
Mar. 8, Paws4You’s Mardi Paws! Gala at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove.
Mar. 14, The Women’s Fund Power of the Purse Luncheon, 11 a.m., at Junge Island.
May 10, Coral Gables Woman’s Club Mother’s Day Tea.
May 16, Eighth annual Tee Off for a Cause Charity Golf Tournament at Red Tiger Golf Course. Call 305-882-1305, ext. 104 or send email to safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com.
May 16, United HomeCare’s 30th annual Claude Pepper Awards Luncheon, 11 a.m., at The Pullman Hotel.
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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