The Miami Foundation’s 2017 Give Miami Day certainly brought joy to the many served by our local non profits.
Kicking off a bountiful holiday season of giving on Nov. 16, the Miami Foundation coordinated its annual campaign, adding additional funds to each charity’s totals. From Camillus House, A Safe Haven for Newborns to Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic and more, the options to give online during the 24 hours brought in a record $10.1 million for 695 participating charities, many of whom were on hand for AFP’s National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Nov. 17 where the totals were announced.
Speaking of this luncheon, this annual event is coordinated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in partnership with the Miami Foundation, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for Philanthropic Planning.
Attracting more than 400 guests, attendees included a virtual Who’s Who of philanthropy from individual donors like Trish and Dan Bell to community, corporate, private and community foundations, as well as renowned business and civic leaders. Kudos to AFP Miami Chapter president Barbara Norland, AFP luncheon chair and treasurer Richard Lehrman, and organizer Arely Ruiz on orchestrating a fabulous affair.
Among the honorees were Joshua William, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy; Nancy Hector, Outstanding Philanthropist; Bonnie Crabtree, James W. Mclamore Outstanding Volunteer; Wells Fargo, Julia Tuttle Award for Community Involvement and Corporate Citizenship; Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation, Outstanding Grant Maker; Jay I Kislak, Lifetime Achievement, and Harve A. Mogul, Champion of Philanthropy.
In addition to these honorees, each sponsor table also honored some amazing individuals. As a Platinum Sponsor, Miami’s Community Newspapers was pleased to honor Deborah Van Stone Moore, president of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club. Among the more than 19 other table honorees were such notables as Ron Shuffield, Thelma Gibson, Ruth Admire, Chef Chris Valdes, and Douglas Fields, to mention a few.
Partnerships with businesses and non profits is especially prevalent during the holiday season of giving. Recently, Coral Gables Hospital joined forces with the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club to make the holidays special for children who are patients of the club’s free children’s dental clinic by collecting Target gift cards to give the children as opposed to toys.
Yet another Tenet Hospital, Palmetto General Hospital, also helped out by donating an additional four food baskets that were distributed with 32 others from the club to families in need. The club is most grateful to Coral Gables Hospital CEO Cristina Jimenez, and Palmetto General Hospital and Tenet marketing director Vilma Media, and the many donors for making this all possible.
Yet another great example is Channel 4’s Neighbors 4 Neighbors nonprofit. On Nov. 16, the featured speaker at Coconut Grove Rotary’s lunch meeting was Lynn Cameron, executive director of Neighbors 4 Neighbors, a nationally recognized nonprofit created in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. With a mission of connecting people who need help with those willing to give help, in 2016 alone, Neighbors 4 Neighbors developed and delivered $900,000 in resources and donated goods to our neighbors in need and to nonprofit partners.
During her presentation, Lynn discussed the “Adopt a Family for the Holidays” program after which the club presented her with a check to support the program.
Coral Gables Rotarians, like many Rotary Clubs makes the holidays brighter for many beginning with a costume drive before Halloween for the children at the Chapman Partnership, where the club often serves meals.
In other news, the Cuban Association of the Order of Malta held its 12th Annual White Cross Gala at Riviera Country Club on Oct. 14. This year’s big award, Tuito Fidel (Defense of the Faith) Award, was presented to Christine de Marcellus de Vollmer, founder and president of the Latin American Alliance for the Family. On hand to give the invocation at the affair was Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski.
Miami Today’s 2017 Book of Leaders features several Gables Greats, most notable Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli and former Mayor Jim Cason.
Gibraltar Bank hosted a lovely event honoring this years list.
Finally, South Miami Senior High School’s band was one of many to entertain the crowds at the 69th Annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade on Nov. 26. The parade offered some fabulous sights and sounds for the appreciative crowds that lined Miracle Mile on a picture-perfect afternoon. Among the many floats and parade units that tied in well with the parde theme, “A Groovy Gables Holiday,” was a Volkswagen Beetle hand painted by the cast and crew of Hair when it was performed in 1997 at UM’s Ring Theatre. Pete and Virgin VanderVlugt bought and preserved the car that actually was signed by UM’s Ken Kurtz.
Another outstanding unit was provided by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office that included extravagant costumes and even a float with drums and more. Of course, the Royal Court float was adorned beautifully by the Queen and her entourage.
A pre-parade Mayors’ reception on the patio of City Hall was held for sponsors. JOBC past presidents and board members and numerous other VIPs including, of course, Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
