Congratulations to Monica Larrea

2013 recipient of Kerdyk Family Trust Music Scholarship and Lady Suzanna Tweed Scholarship.

Congratulations to Gables Senior Jake Mekin

Administered through the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence is given annually to an outstanding student who embodies the values of long-time Gables Principal Ralph Moore.

Awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates not only academic excellence but involvement in extracurricular activities and service to school and community, this award emphasizes the importance of leaving a legacy at Coral Gables Senior High.

This year’s winner of a $1000 scholarship is Jake Mekin.  Jake is an IB student with a 6.19 weighted GPA and is in the top 8% of his class.  His leadership in Interact Club, specifically the End Polio Now campaign, Prochat, the CHARLEE program and Breakthrough Miami, prove he truly walks the walk, just as the late Ralph Moore would have wanted to celebrate and recognize.

Board Appreciation & Installation Reception at Seasons 52

The Coral Gables Community Foundation’s annual installation of officers and directors was held recently at Seasons 52.

Carlos F. Garcia, CPA, began his two-year term as chair with a board retreat prior to the installation at which directors discussed community and foundation initiatives.

Attorney William A. Bonn completed his term as chair and continues on the board as immediate past chair; as such, he plans to help lead the foundation’s development efforts.

Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason did the honors of swearing in first the executive committee and then the full board at the reception, which was held Monday evening, Jan. 28.

Executive Director Andria Hanley thanked Mr. Bonn for his two years of service and presented him with a framed photo collage representing his years of wonderful leadership.

Serving with Mr. Garcia and Mr. Bonn as executive officers are Chair-elect Tony Rogers, JD; Secretary Jerry Santeiro, Treasurer David Olazabal and Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Karelia Carbonell.

Members of the board of directors are John Allen; Marc Berenfeld, CPA; Pat Blanco, BSN, MPH, FACHE; Amanda Bonifay, CPA; Catherine Grieve, Esq.; Andy Gomez, Ph.D.; Zeke Guilford, Esq.; Michael Harris; Vicente Lago; Matthew Meehan; Jason Neal; Lee Osiason, Esq.; Frank Quesada, Esq.; Aura Reinhardt; Mark Trowbridge and Marielena Villamil.

Guests included University of Miami Director of Advancement Sergio Gonzalez, City Commissioner Ralph Cabrera and past foundation Chair Jeannett Slesnick.

Seasons 52, 321 Miracle Mile, kindly provided the venue and delicious flat-bread pizzas.

Founded by community leaders in 1991, the Coral Gables Community Foundation fosters programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for people living and working in the “City Beautiful.”

Photos by Betty Alavarez / Events Photographer

Reception honors late community leaders Harry & Mary Perrin

[portfolio_slideshow]

The Coal Gables Museum recently presented a reception honoring the late Harry and Mary Perrin and their many contributions to the community.

The Perrin Charitable Fund, held at the Coral Gables Community Foundation, made a donation to name a museum gallery in the Perrins’ honor.

The Perrin International Reception Hall is home to the exhibit, Sister Cites: Partners in Peace, curated by museum director of programs Caroline Parker.

Former Mayor Don Slesnick, personal representative of the Perrin fund, hosted the Oct. 17 event at the museum, 285 Aragon Ave.

Guests included Mayor Jim Cason; Commissioner Ralph Cabrera; City Clerk Walter Foeman; Arva Moore Parks, chair of the museum board; museum board members Ramona Busot, Albert Menendez and Lyan Fernandez; William A. “Bill” Bonn, chair of the Coral Gables Community Foundation; Andria Hanley, executive director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation; Aura Reinhardt of Bacardi USA; members of the city’s International Affairs Coordinating Council; and several representatives of the Miami-Dade County’s consular corps.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer

Foundation gala brings ‘Club Monaco’ to Coral Gables

[portfolio_slideshow]

The Coral Gables Community Foundation held its 21^st anniversary fundraising gala, featuring a Club Monaco casino theme, on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 N. Greenway Dr.

Festivities began at 7 p.m. as guests streamed into the foyer, where they were treated to music sung by Tony Fernandez, who also served as DJ for the night. An open bar sponsored by Bacardi U.S.A. awaited guests inside.

Some 250 friends of the foundation were in attendance, donning black-tie apparel and mingling throughout chandelier-lit rooms adorned in casino-style decor.

“Tonight’s gala is a wonderful way to support the foundation. It does so many good things,” said former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, a former chair of the foundation. “We are very invested in this organization and what it has done. The foundation really helps draw the community together.”

Attendees bid on a series of silent and live auction items, ranging from a seven-day stay at a luxurious international resort to earrings provided by Coral Gables’ own Snow’s Jewelers.

Casino chips were available to guests, who used them for an array of table games, such as American roulette, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker and craps.

“This is a delightful event!” said Christine Rupp, acting director of the Coral Gables Museum. Her boyfriend, Dean Richardson, agreed. “We played blackjack and bid on jewelry. We’re having a very great time.”

Once everyone was seated in the ballroom, the foundation’s chair, William A. “Bill” Bonn, welcomed guests and introduced five distinguished citizens who were being honored for their leadership and service to the community.

“During the past 21 years, the foundation has done much to better the lives of those who live, work, study and/or play in the ‘City Beautiful,’” said Mr. Bonn. “These five individuals have demonstrated extreme talent, generosity, patience and devotion in their respective fields of endeavor and to the communities in which they have worked and lived.”

The night’s award ceremony honored community leaders in five categories:

•Willy Bermello Legacy Award: Robert J. “Bob” Fewell, for his generous contributions to the Coral Gables community, including $2 million to the Coral Gables Museum

• Community Award: Wayne E. “Chip” Withers, for his 20 years of service as a city commissioner and piloting the formation of the Coral Gables Museum

• Culture Award: Steven “Steve” H. Krams, for spreading artistry throughout Coral Gables and allowing it to flourish via the Coral Gables Art Cinema

• Education Award: Dr. Joyce J. Elam, for her impact on community education after serving as executive dean of Florida International University’s College of Business for 15 years

• Sports/Entertainment Award (posthumous): Paul T. Dee (accepted by Cathy Zuckerman Dee), for his impact on and involvement in the athletic community as University of Miami athletic director and general counsel

Once the award ceremony reached its end, dinner was served. Guests dined from a menu featuring delicious selections, such as a steakhouse Caesar salad, beef tenderloin with butter-poached lobster tail and a dessert platter.

Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, led the gala’s live auction. Applause filled the room as bidders showed their support for the foundation and walked away with valuable prizes. The silent auction wrapped up afterward.

Marielena Villamil and John Allen, members of the foundation’s board of directors, chose the night’s winning raffle tickets for such prizes as a Bacardi beach package, romantic weekend package, sports fan package and Coral Gables package. Music then resumed and guests took to the dance floor for a fun-filled night of communal celebration that lasted until 1 a.m.

Founded by community leaders in in 1991, the Coral Gables Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who live or work in Coral Gables. All of the gala’s proceeds benefit the foundation.