MEMORIES OF MADRID at Biltmore Ball To Benefit The Coral Gables Community Foundation

The Biltmore Ball to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation presented by Paul & Swanee DiMare was held Friday, October 20th at The Biltmore Hotel. Themed Memories of Madrid, the romance, rich heritage and architectural allure of Spain set the scene for the evening as over 400 of Miami's philanthropic, social, civic and business influencers turned out in Spanish flare to celebrate the evening's distinguishes honorees and the Foundation's accomplishments over the last 26 years.

Co-chaired for the third year by Sissy DeMaria and Mary Young, the black-tie fundraiser is a time-honored tradition for the City Beautiful which benefits the pivotal outreach efforts of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. The gala raised funds earmarked for worthy Gables High School students pursuing dreams of a college education among other passionate projects the Foundation champions.

The evening kicked off as guests were serenaded by Spanish guitar during the cocktail reception and treated to a Baila Flamenco performance presented by Cosentino and the Spanish Office of Tourism. Guests bid on priceless vacations and gifts, including stays at a mountaintop villa in Costa Rica courtesy of NPI; the Rosemary Cottage on exclusive Fisher Island; a sprawling castle in Alladale, Scotland; the Al Capone suite at the Biltmore Hotel as well as stunning diamond earrings by Montica Jewelry.

Within the grand ballroom, adorned in tapestries of brilliant reds and golds, guests were in for a culinary journey to the Iberian Peninsula by The Biltmore Hotel's culinary team. Spanish delicacies were prepared by 35-year industry veteran and award-winning executive chef, David Hackett; executive pastry chef Oliver Rodriguez, and Michael Vietta, whom has been with The Biltmore for nearly a decade.

Manny Medina and the Medina Family received the Willy Bermello Legacy Award presented by Greenberg Traurig; Jon & Nancy Batchelor were recipients the Arts & Culture Award presented by Trish & Dan Bell; Swanee & Paul DiMare were awarded the Jerry Santeiro Community Award; Tom and Marie-Ilene Whitehurst were honored with the Philanthropy Award presented by Paul & Swanee DiMare; Mike Lowell received the Sports & Wellness Award presented by Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute; Dave Lawrence was honored with the Education Award presented by MG Developer and Bacardi received the Landmark Award presented by The Biltmore.

"We are delighted to celebrate these pillars of our community; we thank our gala chairs Sissy DeMaria and Mary Young and all of our sponsors who have helped make this gala such a success," said John O'Rourke, Chairman of the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors. "This year, in a strategic partnership with the Biltmore Hotel, we have renamed our signature event to 'The Biltmore Ball,' extending our reach and visibility. It's an honor to have such overwhelming support which, in turn, is helping us do more for our neighborhood and our neighbors in need."

"It's a tremendous point of pride to unveil the latest edition of our gala -- most especially in tandem with the Biltmore Hotel," said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. "This year's event will pay special tribute to Coral Gables, serving as a celebration of our City's distinctive heritage and worldly roots."

"The Biltmore Ball: Memories of Madrid" was presented by Paul & Swanee DiMare, Platinum Sponsors Southern Audio Visual, Codina Partners, Trish & Dan Bell, Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, Greenberg Traurig and MG Developer; 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 Sponsors Mike & Bertha Lowell; Photography Sponsor EWM; Media Sponsors South Florida Luxury Guide, CULTURED Magazine and Miami Herald; and In-Kind Sponsors Pantry Liquors, Spanish Trade Commission and Spanish Tourism Office.

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