By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Dubbed “the party of the summer,” the annual Miami Celebrity Domino Night, benefiting Amigos for Kids drew a crowd of 1,700 supporters to Jungle Island on June 20, for a steamy party filled with food, fun, fanfare, dancing and of course, fierce domino competitions.
The party began with a blue carpet on Jungle Island’s first level, where celebrities and television personalities, including actress Elizabeth Gutierrez, Mexican actor Khotan, Univision Network anchor Maria Elena Salinas, Venezuelan actress Sonya Smith, Primer Impacto anchor Pamela Silva-Conde, singer Pablo Argenis, and Mexican TV host Maggie Jiménez posed and mingled with guests. Throughout the first floor of the venue, food stands from various restaurants and catering firms prepared delightful treats for partygoers. Our favorite? A Joy Wallace’s buttermilk fried chicken. Other standouts included Donut Divas’ fried Oreos in red velvet donuts (don’t judge!) and the Café & Sweets Bistro by Café La Carreta and Versailles Restaurant. Presenting sponsor Bacardí U.S.A. kept guests well-hydrated with free-flowing cocktails.
After the first floor reception, everyone headed upstairs for the main event. Rosa Maria Plasencia, Amigos For Kids’ President & CEO, presented sponsors Bacardí U.S.A. and Lincoln Motor Company with a commemorative gift, created by artist Carlos Navarro, for their steadfast support of the Amigos organization. “Amigos For Kids has been serving our community for almost twenty-five years, and our commitment to putting an end to child abuse is unwavering,” said Plasencia. “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to count on the support of long term collaborators. On behalf of the children and families we serve, I extend our sincere appreciation to all of the donors and partners who support our mission— our Board, our staff, our amazing sponsors, elected officials and celebrities— for making this another fun and successful Domino Night! Thank you for standing together to say, ‘There’s NO Excuse for Child Abuse!’”
Following the presentations, guests packed the dancefloor as the Groove Republik Band and Pitbull’s official world-renowned disc jockey, DJ Chino kept the party going until well after 1 a.m.
This signature annual event contributes funds towards Amigos For Kids’ diverse services, such as: the Jose Martí Park after-school program; the Amigos Strengthens Families & Communities Program, Cafecito Entre Padres program; the annual back-to-school and holiday toy drives, and its yearlong There’s NO Excuse For Child Abuse!® Blue Ribbon Campaign and prevention efforts.