When the chips are down, you can count on nightlife impresario and entrepreneur, Michael Capponi.  Over the  past several years, he’s helped countless numbers of  underprivileged and afflicted people during disasters such as the Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina and has hosted events to benefit the United Way, Red Cross, Make-A-Wish and Bay Point Schools, to name a few, not to mention the homeless food drive he hosts every Thanksgiving. So it came as no surprise that Capponi took action once again to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. In addition to loading a private jet with emergency personnel, doctors and supplies just a few days after the quake, and heading to Haiti, Capponi threw an exclusive party  a few weeks ago, “Save Haiti Saturday,” along with a few of his influential friends, at his beautiful Sunset Island home- Villa Capponi  to benefit Project Medishare, which provides medical assistance to earthquake victims.

At the party, Emmy award winning, Local 10 news anchor, Laurie Jennings, who spent quite some time in Haiti covering the disaster and relief efforts, stood atop a coffee table on Capponi’s rooftop and explained that upon seeing the nightlife impresario in Haiti, she exclaimed, “Hey Mr. Club Man, what are you doing here?”  She soon realized that Capponi was there to assemble and unite people who could help, and to call them to action.  Jennings also told several stories about the horrors she witnessed and about the progress that was being made before introducing the handsome and buff Miami Beach firefighter, Adonis Garcia, joking, “How did his mother know he would grow up to be an ‘Adonis’ when she named him?” Garcia joined Capponi in relief efforts, along with Dr. Barth Green, who was Skyped in live from the wreckage in Haiti, sharing touching rescue accounts and urging more assistance. 

 Another uplifting account came from local writer, Mamie Joeveer and her husband, UN volunteer, Tarmo, who  emotionally recounted the story of Tarmo’s rescue after being buried for 36 hours beneath the collapsed UN building in Haiti.

 A long list of VIPs attended Save Haiti Saturday, including:  Alan Lieberman, Shareef Malnik, Eric and Stacy Milon, Commissioner Michael Gongora, Jerry, Sandi and Jacquelynn Powers, Rich Santelises, Nick and Kelly Arison, and Dr. Frank Pierre.  Grey Goose provided cocktails and Phillipe Chow, donated satays while DJ Irie spun the music.  LIV nightclub, who co-sponsored the evening, hosted the official after party.  While other nightlife folks were busy preparing for the upcoming Super Bowl weekend, Capponi returned to Haiti to donate his time and efforts once again.  To make a donation, go to:  www.projectmedishare.org/.