1,000 community and business leaders gathered at United Way’s 16th Annual Mayor’s Ball
The 16th Annual Mayor’s Ball hosted by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and Lourdes P. Gimenez generated more than $1 million to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade, supporting its efforts to improve education, financial stability and health in Miami-Dade County. More than 1,000 of Miami’s most influential leaders from business, government and philanthropy gathered in the spirit of community and goodwill at the InterContinental Miami on Saturday, May 30.
“Tonight, we celebrate our community and our commitment to making Miami-Dade County a place where all our children and grandchildren can grow and prosper,” said Mayor Gimenez. “By supporting the Mayor’s Ball, each of you has made a clear choice to support the vital mission of United Way to improve health, education and financial stability of all our residents – and Lourdes and I thank you.”
This is the fourth year Lourdes and Mayor Gimenez have served as honorary chairs of the Mayor’s Ball, carrying on the legacy of the event created by former Mayor Alex Penelas and his wife, Lilliam, in 1998. United Way was selected as the beneficiary given its broad reach across the county and its residents. Vincent Signorello, president and CEO, Florida East Coast Industries, and his wife, Shannon, served as event chairs.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a three course dinner with spirits and wine compliments of Southern Wine & Spirits, and danced the night away to the live tunes of The Chase Band. The night’s theme was a celebration of the kaleidoscope that is Miami – an intricate landscape of sights, sounds and cultures that is constantly changing and evolving ever more bright and beautiful. Kaleidoscope images were seen everywhere from photo booth backdrops and stage décor to large screens projecting the dance floor through the lens of a digital kaleidoscope, thanks to the Rockwell Group. And, just as the guests thought the night was over, the Junkanoo Band surprised everyone during the “Hora Loca.”
Event vice chairs included: Jayne and Leonard Abess; Cristina Pereyra and Cesar L. Alvarez; Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz; Shelly and Steve Brodie; Alexander P. Heckler; Maggie McIntyre and Alex Hernandez; Juan Kuryla; Amy and Michael Landa; Marcelo Llorente; Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez; Jo and John Sumberg; and Delsa and Jesus Vasquez. Event hosts included: Christine Barney and Robert Gill; Jorge Herrera; Ana and Neisen Kasdin; Yoly and Gene Schaefer; Monica and Richard Schatz; and Rachel and David Seifer.
The Mayor’s Ball is made possible by its sponsors. Platinum level sponsors include: Duty Free Americas, Florida East Coast Industries, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Greenberg Traurig, Hernandez Construction, ORION Jet Center, Turnberry Associates and Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz. Gold level sponsors include: American Airlines, Coastal Tishman, Codina Partners, Facchina Construction, LENNAR, Miami Herald Media Company, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, and Suffolk Construction. Silver sponsors included: Allied World Insurance Co., Bank of America, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Mastec and Parsons Environment & Infrastructure Inc.
About United Way of Miami-Dade
Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health—the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visitwww.unitedwaymiami.org, www.facebook.com/UnitedWayMiami, www.twitter.com/UnitedWayMiami, or www.instagram/UnitedWayMiami.
