4,500 people participated in the Miami Light the Night® Walk by the Southern Florida chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising $850,000 which doubles the amount raised in 2011. 78% of all monies raised goes directly to research for cures for blood cancers. For more information, visit www.lls.org/sfl.  

The Miami Tower was lit up in gold, red and white  – the colors of the balloons carried by the Walkers i.e. gold for those walking in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, red for supporters and white for survivors. The Walk was led by Lisa Gaeta, the National Chairman of the Board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and by Light the Night® Miami Walk Chair Ralph E. Lawson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Baptist Health South Florida. 

The Top Friends and Family team was Team Luke and the Top individual fundraiser was Larry Kahn with Lowell Homes.  The Top Corporate team was Baptist Health South Florida. Walk activities included food and activities for children and families, music by DNR, a band featuring local physicians, a Remembrance Ceremony for loved ones lost to cancer and the Walk itself followed by fireworks, dessert and dancing.

Alex Rodriguez, Soraya Rivera-Moya, Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and Ronald McDonald

On Saturday, November 3, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida celebrated its 30^th Anniversary at the Moore Building in the Miami Design District. More the 450 supporters of the charity enjoyed a festive and delightful event contributing to the $140,000 raised, aiding in RHMC mission of helping South Florida’s children live happier and healthier lives. The celebration culminated a yearlong 30^THAnniversary fundraising campaign, which raised more than $500,000 for the charity. 

Mayor Carlos Gimenez was on hand to announce the  proclaimation of “Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida Day” in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

 Two South Florida favorites – DJ Bounce from the American Airlines Arena’s Grey Goose Lounge and the high octane Latin fusion of “Locos Por Juana” – helped keep the energy level high all night long for the event guests and families staying at the two South Florida Ronald McDonald Houses. 

While the money raised from the 30^TH Anniversary Celebration will help RMHC get closer to its goal of building a third Ronald McDonald House inSouth Florida, RMHC Executive Director, Soraya Rivera-Moya says the event was also able to connect charity’s donors and sponsors with the families they support through RMHC’s various programs. 

“The greatest reward from our 30^TH Anniversary Celebration was seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of the families staying at our two Houses,” says Rivera-Moya. “We thank our year long and event sponsors and corporate partners as they truly believe in our mission. The “Heart Chain Celebration on Saturday was all about the families, volunteers and donors together as one big family.”

Juanes, Karen Martinez, Juan Luis Guerra , St. Jude Patients Victor, Stephan and Carlos

By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

The stars came out en masse for the tenth annual FedEx/St.Jude Angels & Stars Gala on Saturday, May 19. Actress/supermodel Daisy Fuentes, and Latin power-couple, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Juanes and TV host/actress Karen Martinez, served as the celebrity chairs and were on-hand to mingle with guests at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. More than 800 guests enjoyed a Grey Goose cocktail reception, seated dinner and live performances by gorgeous Spanish, Grammy Award-winner, David Bisbal and Vicente Garcia.

Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Juan Luis Guerra got a standing ovation when he was presented with the Al-Rashid Hope Award for his tireless commitment to providing resources for needy children in Dominican Republic and Latina America, particularly in the areas of health, sports and education.

“I am honored to receive this award during such a special year like the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Guerra. “While I am passionate about music, I care even more about providing children with the best care, so they can live happy, healthy lives.”

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Tracy Wilson Mourning with beautiful Honey Bugs

We were thrilled to see the joy on the faces of the” Honey Bugs” as they rushed to greet the gorgeous Tracy Wilson Mourning upon her arrival at the Asian-themed 10th Annual Hats Off luncheon on Tuesday, May 8, at Jungle Island, to benefit the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program which she founded to provide support and guidance to hundreds of girls (Honey Bugs) in the community.

Tracy was joined by her husband, NBA Champion Alonzo Mourning, who graciously mingled and took photos with admiring fans before giving an inspiring speech in which he lauded his wife and encouraged continued support of Honey Shine. When Tracy took the stage, she shared that 15 of the Honey Bugs have successfully graduated and gone on to higher education thanks to funds raised through Hats Off. “The luncheon was amazing. Our Honey Bugs were glowing and the community support was stellar”, said Tracy.

Honey Shine Members and Co-chairs Cathy Blank and Monisha Melwani helped lead the effort, resulting in a successful silent auction and Camp Honey Shine appeal. Between the Membership program, ticket sales, auction, and appeal, $250,000 was raised for the program. Special recognition was given to Steering Committee Member of the Year, Ayana Rodriguez, and Honey Bug of the Year, Jasmine Thompson, who was selected for her overall achievements in the program. To add, two outstanding role models, Tahiese Beckford and Jonaura Wisdom, were honored with the Mentor of the Year Award.

The highlight of the afternoon was the Honey Bug showcase, where the girls showed off their talents by singing, dancing and walking the runway to model fashions provided by GAP, Aleren, Bloomingdale’s Aventura, Manisha Patel and MIA Shoes.

To join the Honey Shine program or to make a donation, visit HONEYSHINE.org.

 We had the distinct pleasure of joining the exquisite, Maggie Henriquez, President and CEO of Krug Champagne a couple of weeks ago at an exclusive luncheon at Conrad Miami, where Henriquez entertained a small group of journalists who tasted Krug’s newly released Vintage 2000, Vintage 1998, and Krug’s signature Grand Cuvee and legendary Rose. Henriquez took the lively group (which became livelier after every sip) through a journey which included the Maison’s long history and Krug’s unique approach. A born storyteller, the brilliant Henriquez captivated us with exciting anecdotes about each of the vintages, which she described with the reverence and knowledge of a mother describing each of her children. Krug’s newest innovation includes the recently launched bottle ID codes which enhance the tasting experience by highlighting the unique characteristics, history, and tasting notes for each bottle of Krug disgorged after 2011.

The afternoon was an enlightening and delicious journey of Krug’s generous spirit and philosophy of uncompromised excellence.

Christina Getty-Maercks, George Lindemann, and Criselda Breene

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

A Night at the Museum

Despite the fact that we are huge art buffs, and have delighted in the works of the Masters at museums throughout the world, we couldn’t recall a time when we had actually had fun in an art museum (with the exception of the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence where we had our way with Michelangelo’s slaves and David in our early twenties).  This changed on Thursday, April 26 at the Bass Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser “A Night at the Museum,” for which the museum should have been renamed the “BLAST” museum; as many of Miami’s chicest and most artsy socialites gathered after hours to socialize, chat, nosh, dance and enjoy the fantastic exhibits, which became more and more interesting with every cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »