Hundreds of business and community leaders recently joined together for All in Fore the Kids — two fundraising events to support one cause — the children and families at Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH). The events raised more than $400,000 for Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Held at the Biltmore Hotel & Golf Course, All in Fore the Kids began with the Inaugural Gentlemen’s Night Out Presented by Turner Construction and culminated with the Miami Children’s 31st Annual Corporate Golf Invitational the following day.
The events were chaired by Jesus Salas, executive vice president of programming for Spanish Broadcasting Systems (SBS), and John Agnetti Esq., partner at Hoffman Larin & Agnetti PA.
Formed in response to the highly successful Wine, Women & Shoes event, Gentlemen’s Night Out is an exclusive, sophisticated gentlemen’s event featuring tastings of premium scotches, spirits and selections of the finest cigars. Featuring a silent auction and entertainment, the event served as an opportunity for men to come together for networking, entertainment, camaraderie and philanthropy.
Michael Baiamonte, Voice of the Miami Heat and grateful parent, served as emcee, and Jason Solodkin, Voice of the Miami Hurricanes, shared his family’s Miami Children’s Hospital success story. Solodkin’s 3-year-old son, Jordan, suffers from epilepsy and is a patient at Miami Children’s Hospital’s Brain Institute, the largest clinical pediatric neurology program in the world.
“Jordan’s epilepsy is now under control thanks to a combination of medications and treatments,” Solodkin said. “I have a true appreciation for the environment at Miami Children’s.”
Additionally, former patient and longtime supporter DJ Laz served as celebrity auctioneer. The live auction featured rare bottles of Jack Daniels Tennessee Unaged Rye whiskey and a highly coveted twonight, three-day trip for six people to Las Vegas on a private jet with deluxe accommodations at Caesar’s Palace, which sold to an anonymous bidder for $20,000.
Additionally, celebrity guest and Latin music sensation Willy Chirino donated a signed guitar which sold during the live auction.
Other notable guests included Latin Grammy Award winner Elvis Crespo, retired football player Ki-Jana Carter, retired NBA stars Dikembe Mutombo and Tim Hardaway, and member of the Miami Dolphins 1972 “Perfect Season” team Dick Anderson.
Guests had the opportunity to take photographs with the 1973 Vince Lombardi Trophy awarded to the Miami Dolphins after the “Perfect Season” and treat themselves to hot shaves and shoes shines courtesy of Razzledazzle, for an added donation. Leonora Fashions was on hand to fit guests for custom tailored suits and donated 20 percent of the proceeds to MCH.
All in Fore the Kids continued with the Miami Children’s 31st annual Corporate Golf Invitational the following day. Corporate groups and foursomes enjoyed a beautiful golf outing followed by a reception featuring a spectacular silent auction.
Tournament top finishers included:
First place: MCH board member Jay Massirman, Dion Gonsalves, Leon Dixon and Scott Copeland;
Second place: Northwestern Mutual — Ed McCluskey, Ken Stiles, retired Miami Dolphins player Dick Anderson and Miami Children’s Young Ambassadors member Mathew Olsen;
Third place: Arellano Construction — Frank Ballar, Bernie Perez, Arthur Hoynack and Brendan Branchard;
Longest Drive: MCH Foundation board chair Thomas Cornish, and
Closest to the Pin: Cameron Carrow.
Jesus Salas and John Agnetti Esq. served as event chairs; Ricky Patel Esq. served as auction chair, and M. Narendra Kini, MD, president and CEO of Miami Children’s Hospital, served as sponsorship chair.
To learn more about the Foundation and offer support, visit www.mchf.org, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/MCHFoundation, or call 305-666-2889 (toll free: 1-800-987-8701).
