On April 12, 2019, United Way of Miami-Dade volunteers created a sensory courtyard garden at Easterseals South Florida as part of their National Volunteer Week activities in Miami-Dade County. The garden named for Ginnie McCrae memorializes her legacy of kindness, compassion and volunteerism that was her passion for more than forty years.
These gardens create meditation, relaxation and the invigorating opportunities for adults with dementia as well as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thus, they will significantly benefit the children and seniors at the Easterseals Civic Center.
The Gilded Lilies, a non profit that has supported Easterseals over the years, visited the Center on May 6. At that time, the women presented a $23,000 check to support their programs. During their visit, the Gilded Lilies enjoyed songs and poems performed by students, many of whom greeted the women with beautiful Lillie’s in honor of Ginny and her legacy. The group was also treated to a tour of the garden and enjoyed a lovely lunch prepared by the students of Easterseals’ culinary program.
In other news, longtime Rotary volunteer, Zilkia Marie Denis, was officially inducted into the Miami Kendall Rotary Club on May 1st. Zilkia, who has volunteered at every chance with her beau Past President of the Rotary Club of South Miami, Jeff McNabb, was presented with an honorary South Miami Rotary award back in October along with Susan Sutta for outstanding volunteer work. Susan is the wife and right Rotary hand of Past President Mike Sutta.
The Ponce de Leon Middle School Dance Team received a great surprise recently. They were raising money for uniforms to continue competition within the M-DCPS Community and to continue supporting their International Baccalaureate Program.
These girls (and coach) have been volunteering their time with our after-school program at Frances Tucker Elementary School all year and have become an integral part of Home Team Miami, a non profit run by Alex Pou. Alex brought to the attention of Coral Gables Rotarians that the team was $1,700 short of their goal and Rotarians stepped up to donate that shortfall from their Foundation to the delight of the girls.
A Safe Haven for Newborns fundraisers, their annual golf tournament on May 10, at Trump National Resort. Kudos to Gina Perez who chaired the event masterfully for ASHFN Founder Nick Silverio with a great team of volunteers. Everyone was especially happy receiving word from Nick that they had just saved their 308th baby that same week. The tournament which is always draws also brought support from two football greats teaming up to play this year: Gator Hall of Famer Tom Shannon and UM’s Heisman Trophy Winner Vinny Testaverde. More on that in next issue.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
