A record crowd of 225 people gathered at the Rusty Pelican restaurant for Gilded Lilies fashion show luncheon on Mar. 25, all to benefit Easter Seals of South Florida.
Kudos to Gilded Lilies president Gloria Perez, and president-elect and luncheon chair, the amazing Shelley Daniel, whose mother was one of the founders of this group. The affair featured a silent auction, a raffle, and a Chico’s coordinated fashion show with Easter Seal students modeling along with Gilded Lilies members.
The always generous Dan and Trish Bell donated funds to pay for students, teachers and families to attend and receive for the new outfits the students modeled.
Best of all, the event brought in $26,000 for Easter Seals, a charity this group has supported for 40 years. Easter Seals of South Florida supports and strengthens 1,500 families living with Alzheimer’s, autism and other disabilities.
Yet another great event coming up the end of this month features art. The Family Resource Center (FRC) event at the L’ARTE della Cucina in the Design District will take place on Apr. 29, 6-9 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to view and purchase works from Miami’s world-renowned artists and talented emerging artists. All of the proceeds from the art purchased that evening will go towards building a better tomorrow for 1,200 children who are healing from abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Expected attendance is 50 guests who will enjoy an open bar, music and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres from Miami’s premier chefs.
All proceeds will benefit FRC, which helps with the care and resources of all children from the very young through teenagers in the program, which are often overlooked in the foster care and adoption system. With more than 300 guests in attendance last year, we hope to make this event even greater to raise the funds badly needed to support these children in our community.
The Family Resource Center has a dedicated staff of over 160 employees; the agency provides integrated care for 1,300 children who have suffered abuse. FRC delivers multi-disciplinary reunification services for the parents and supports the children’s foster parents. For those children whose parental rights are terminated, the agency has an adoption unit to ensure these precious children are placed in forever homes.
Under the leadership of its executive director, Dr. Oren Wunderman, the Family Resource Center has tripled in size, while expanding the complexity of services. Dr. Wunderman, a licensed psychologist, marriage/family therapist, and mental health counselor has committed his career to breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. He has served for the last 21 years with FRC, 17 which has held the title of Executive Director.
Joan Reitsma, former teacher who spearheads the Student Achievement Breakfasts every year, once again is planning for this year’s events with the Hotel Colonnade’s help as an in-kind sponsor. On Apr. 24 and then on May 4, Coral Gables Friends of Education will recognize students with the presentation of certificates and medals attended typically by parents, family and friends.
Once again, charities are encouraged to contact this writer, at 305-284 -7379 to participate in the Hotel Colonnade’s “Scoops of Hope” Breakfast on Wednesday, July 26. Tickets will be available soon to sell on consignment. Each participating charity gets to keep 50 percent of the amount collected and Give Kids the World gets the other 50 percent, because the Hotel Colonnade completely underwrites the amazing full American breakfast with ice cream for dessert. Vendors wanting to reserve a limited number of display table spaces for $150 each, may call Gloria at 305-968-3090.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
