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Taking cues from Mykonos, Athens and Crete, friends of the Coral Gables Community Foundation broke records on Saturday, Oct. 23, dressed in an array of Greek-inspired costumes, as they dined in splendor throughout the City Beautiful.
There were togas, gods and goddesses, warriors and plenty of Assyrtiko wine and Ouzo.
More than 400 guests, including 120 who dined at Sea Grill in Merrick Park, helped the organization raise $400,000 in support of the Foundation’s pivotal outreach.
Celebrating the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s 30th anniversary and honoring eight community leaders, the event was co-chaired by the City Beautiful’s very own Greek goddesses, Sissy De Maria-Koehne, who has chaired the annual affair for more than seven years, and co-chair Lauren Harrison Brown.
The evening’s distinguished honorees included: Brian Keeley for the Legacy Award presented by Trish and Dan Bell, Nancy Hector for the Philanthropy Award, Lee Schrager for the Arts and Culture Award presented by Ray Corral and Mosaicist, Jim and Deborah Davidson for the Community Award, The Mas Family for the Education Award presented by Greenberg Traurig, Tracy Kerdyk for the Sports and Wellness Award presented by Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, Landmark Award to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, and the Coral Gables Garden Club for the Gables Beautiful Award.
“This was no doubt one of the most spectacular galas we have ever had,” said DeMaria-Koehne. “We’ve been to Venice, to Shanghai, to India and to Spain, but A Gables Odyssey may have topped it all. It was tremendously fulfilling as co-chair to see our theme played out so enthusiastically in homes across South Florida, with each guest interpreting the theme both in their tablescapes and attire.
“We are grateful to our guests for their support and are humbled by the work of the pillars we saluted in our community that evening and for the generosity of our sponsors,” DeMaria-Koehne added.
Guests enjoyed an epically curated silent auction including two stays in Greece at the Angsana Corfuresort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a stay at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, an al fresco pizza dinner for 12 at the Coral Gables home of honoree Lee Schrager, a stay in the Everglades Suite at the Biltmore Hotel, and a weekend stay in the Rosemary Cottage at Fisher Island Club.
