The GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, whose membership includes women who want to serve from South Miami and around South Florida, provides much needed services for children in our community. The Club recently received funding for their children’s free dental clinic from Evensky & Katz as well as the Coral Gables Rotary Foundation. These donations along with proceeds from their upcoming March 8th casino night fundraiser will help support the May Van Sickle Dental Clinic that provides more than $220,000 annually in free dental care to children in South Miami and throughout Miami Dade County who fall between the cracks in the healthcare system. The fun starts at 8 p.m. with music, gaming, food and fun for only $50 per person. With a theme of “High Rollers to Hollywood,” guests who wish to come dressed as their favorite film stars are encouraged to do so. It is the best deal in town. For tickets, call 305 968-3090- Cell.
Speaking of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, club member Jackie Milanes, who owns the new Blow N Dry Lounge in Suniland Shopping Center, is all about giving back to the community. In fact, she has plans for a “ Girls Night Out” at 7 p.m. on March 12th. Everyone is invited to her place to participate in raffles, refreshments and snacks and get your hair styled with 20% of proceeds to benefit the South Miami Hospital’s Adolescent Bariatric Program. RSVP with Lisette Llodrá at LisetteLl@baptisthealth.net
Coral Gables Rotarians once again stepped out to support the Chapman Partnership with their 3rd Annual “Run Wild” 5K race at ZooMiami on Feb 8. Since 1995, the Chapman Partnership has been offering services to empower homeless residents to become self-sufficient reducing the number of homeless from 8,000 people in 1992, to 840 people in 2013. With a staff of 165 employees, they also rely on 19,000 volunteers each year to serve South Florida. Among the Coral Gables Rotarians helping out that day were Keith Phillips, Bill Quesenberry, Heather Shatzel and Lorraine Sheldon.
Speaking of South Florida Rotarians, South Miami, Coral Gables and other Rotarians throughout the district gathered recently for their monthly Rotary2Rotary mixer at Whisky Joe’s on Virginia Key. Several club presidents were on hand to enjoy the evening of fellowship as well as District Governor Ellen Blasi, District Governor-Elect Joe Roth, as well as Amber and Chad Dittman (owners of the new Miami Inferno Arena Football Team who are Rotarians from Corpus Christy, TX). Among the 70 or more faces in the crowd that night were Brickell Club’s Jonathan Parker; Miami Shores Club’s Neil and Clarice Kodsi: Coral Gables’ Carol Brock, Ana Fournaris, George Reeves and Rolf Frankfurter; Miami Club’s Al Pinheiro; and South Miami’s Donna Gaines.
Finally, the Junior Orange Bowl Committee met the evening of Feb. 18th to elect officers for the upcoming year. While the Committee is in search of a new executive director, the organization is in good hands as Kathleen Kauffman takes over as president in March. The official installation party will be held at the Westin Colonnade on March 18. Until next time, keep making each day count.
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