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While Edward Jones is the national sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association, particiaption on a local level is critical and many step up to help. On November 9th, GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club once again chose the Alzheimer’s Association to benefit from their monthly Gringo Bingo fundraiser hosted by Doral resident Steven Bradley at Clutch Burger.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness month and this event certainly brought attention to this disease that has touched the lives of so many. Sponsorships for the night were the most ever at $2,500 thanks to generous donors: Ser & Associates, South Florida Kidney Partners, Rotary Club of Coral Gables President Nicolas Eterovic(Edward Jones), Rosie Andersen- Realtor, and Granny Nannies. Lillian Ser was instrumental in helping the club recruit some of those new sponsors and selling half the seats for the event which was a sell out. Everyone who attended received VIP gift cards from Well Groomed Gentlemen and a great party with Steven Bradley at the helm emceeing the night. Pastry Chef Benoit Pagliardini dropped off amazing pastries for everyone in attendance that were absolutely delicious as well as a certificate for one of his wonderful pastry classes for 2 (check out Casabake.com) as a prize. While donations are still in transit, the club expects to make well over $4,500 and had everyone join them on November 20th at Tropical Park for the Annual Walk. Edward Jones is a national sponsor and had a tent at the Walk as well as the CGWC.
Coupled with a $1,000 donation from the RCCG Foundation and the bingo revenues, the two raised more than $5,000 for the effort.
The day before the Gringo Bingo event for Alzheimer’s, two women who have first hand experience with Alzheimer’s in their families were guests on my Gloria’s Gab LIVE show: Arely Ruiz (Past President of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club) and Rosie Andersen (a club member and an event sponsor). Both ladies shared their journeys coping with loved ones… Arely with her father and grandfather and Rosie with her husband who has early onset Alzheimer’s. Watch this sometimes touching show during which Rosie talks about how her husband sometimes thinks they are still courting. To view the show, go to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Communitynewspapers/videos/210538344530288
YouTube: https://youtu.be/UMEzbju65bQ
By the way, shout out to Arely Ruiz whose firm Arely PR celebrates her 10th anniversary and who won the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce’s Business Woman of the Year for her category. Arely got big time support from her club sisters at the lovely luncheon held at the Hotel Colonnade on November 5. Arely also celebrated her anniversary at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club with friends and family where she shared her front cover and spread in Inspire Health Magazine. Kudos to Arely and all those winners and finalists for the Coral Gables Chamber’s Businesswomen of the Year Awards.
Leading up to those aforementioned events, Halloween fun was all around. I had the pleasure of judging 2 costume contests: one for humans and one for doggies and their owners. While so many businesses are not taking advantage of some great team building by taking an hour to enjoy the holiday, Coral Gables Hospital always knocks it out of the park as various departments vie for top prize with their annual contest held in the cafeteria. This year the Rehab department’s costumed guys as Corona Viruses and the Corona-busters came out with music, dancing and amazing costumes (a la Ghostbusters) and won first place.
As for the doggies,the Paws4You Annual Howl-O-Ween, at Pinecrest Gardens, was held on October 30. During this afternoon long day, contestants gathered at the Banyan Bowl for the parade of costumes and lots of laughs. The best of group was 101 Dalmatians themed group with doggies dressed as dalmatians and great human costuming as well. Check out the fun on their web site.
Finally, SMARTRIDE was held November 19 weekend to benefits HIV/Aids charities. This
2 day bike ride to Key West started at UM on Friday. First pit stop had volunteers from the Coral Gables Woman’s Club spearheaded by Carmen Suarez every year. Among those volunteering with Carmen were Arely Ruiz, Ruth Martinez, Barbara Lapsley, Dr. Iris Torres, and Donna Merrill. These ladies also covered day two. Kudos to all supporting this incredible fundraiser founded by my amazing friend Glenn Weinzimer year ago. For more info, visit thesmartride.org.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Hanukkah!
Until next time, keep making each day count, share an act of kindness every day and stay safe.
