Coral Gables Community Foundation Holds Gala Kickoff and Benefactor Reception

On Thursday, September 28, the Coral Gables Community Foundation held their Gala Kickoff and Benefactor Reception at the home of Spanish Consul General Cándido Creis Estrada and his wife, Carla. Foundation Board Members, gala sponsors, gala honorees and community leaders joined to celebrate this year's honorees and the successes of the Foundation.

The evening provided guests a preview of what to expect at the upcoming Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation, taking place Friday, October 20th at The Biltmore Hotel. Guests enjoyed Iberico Jamón by Cinco Jotas, tasty Spanish bites by Deliberico, Bulla and Pescanova, and a beautiful performance by Paula Marfil.

"The Coral Gables Community Foundation plays a distinctive role in enhancing the great values of the City Beautiful. Last night, Carla and I were very honored to collaborate with the members of the Foundation at our Consular Residence," said Spanish Consul General Cándido Creis Estrada. "And, let us not forget our excellent generous sponsors - Jamón Cinco Jotas, Deliberico, Pescanova, Bulla, Hidalgo, Estrella Damm and singer Paula Marfil - for creating a successful evening full of Spanish flavor."

Among the respected guests were Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, City Commissioner Michael Mena and Gala honorees Nancy & Jon Batchelor and Tom & Marie-Ilene Whitehurst.

During the evening, Mayor Valdes-Fauli and the Spanish Consul General shared their encouraging thoughts on the work the Foundation has done over the last 26 years for the City Beautiful. Gala co-chairs Sissy DeMaria and Mary Young were pleased to announce the generosity of Paul & Swanee DiMare as the Presenting Sponsors of the Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

The evening also included a check presentation from Wells Fargo to the Coral Gables Community Foundation's 4-Year Scholarship Fund. Kaiser Ahmed, the Foundation's newest Board Member and Wells Fargo Vice President and District Manager of Downtown and Coral Gables, represented Wells Fargo.

The Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation will take place on Friday, October 20th at The Biltmore Hotel. Community leaders will be honored including Manny Medina and the Medina Family for the Willy Bermello Legacy Award presented by Greenberg Traurig; Jon & Nancy Batchelor for the Arts & Culture Award; Swanee & Paul DiMare for the Jerry Santeiro Community Award; Tom and Marie-Ilene Whitehurst for the Philanthropy Award presented by Paul & Swanee DiMare; Mike Lowell for the Sports & Wellness Award presented by Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute; Dave Lawrence for the Education Award and Bacardi for the Landmark Award presented by The Biltmore.

About the Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation

"The Biltmore Ball: Memories of Madrid" is presented by Paul & Swanee DiMare; Platinum Sponsors Southern Audio Visual, Trish & Dan Bell, Codina Partners, Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Greenberg Traurig; Gold sponsors Kreps DeMaria Public Relations and Marketing, Bacardi and Coral Gables Trust; Valet Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables; Live Entertainment Sponsor Cosentino; Cocktail Reception Sponsor Mike & Bertha Lowell; Media Sponsors South Florida Luxury Guide, CULTURED Magazine and Miami Herald; and In-Kind Sponsors Pantry Liquors, Spanish Trade Commission and Spanish Tourism Office. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, Fla. 33134. Attire is black-tie...with a Spanish flair. For more information on how to attend or sponsor the event -- or for additional details about the Coral Gables Community Foundation -- contact Mary Snow, 305.446.9670, mary@gablesfoundation.org, or visit www.gablesfoundation.org.

About The Coral Gables Community Foundation

A nonprofit §501(c)(3) organization for 26 years, The Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to "The City Beautiful." Established in September 1991 by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, through its discretionary, donor-advised, and scholarship funds has helped youth, elderly, and disabled, and has provided dental care for needy children, sponsored cultural activities, awarded academic, dance, and music scholarships, and offered seminars to educate the public on important health, finance, and estate-planning issues, awarding more than $6 million to worthy causes. www.gablesfoundation.org.