(CLICK TO VIEW ENHANCED IMAGES by Manny Hernandez for MHPIXS.com)
4th ANNUAL “BE A KID AGAIN GALA: TROPICAL TWENTIES” RAISES MORE THAN $200,000 FOR MIAMI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM!
With a Gala that offered a journey back to a “Roarin’ Twenties” experience, Miami Children’s Museum delighted more than 700 attendees with a host of food, entertainment, prizes and surprises and successfully raised $200,000 for educational programming! On Saturday, September 29th, the Museum transformed itself into a tropical twenties motif complete with flappers, gangsters, jazz musicians and much, much more. Chairpersons of the Gala were Bob & Michelle Diener and Donald & Lisa Pliner. Silver Sponsors for the event were Flagstone Properties and Bacardi, USA, Inc.
Guests were greeted by a bubbly young lady floating in a claw foot bathtub as they entered the Museum. Gangsters in wide brimmed hats, flipping quarters and flappers with frilly dresses and feathered headbands strolled through the crowds. If you knew the secret word you could get in the Speakeasy or try your luck in the Casino. A silent auction was held with many interesting and unique items, including “Jerusalem”, a painting by Jay Lonewolf; a 14K Gold Cartier Love Bracelet; and John Robert Powers Acting Classes. A cool jazz trio with a hot torch singer entertained the bidders during the evening. There was also a raffle for a 10-14 Day European Cruise donated by Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises, which helped raise more funds.
Among the more than 700 visitors “putting on the Ritz” for the festivities included: Carlos Bared President of the MCM Board of Directors and his wife Hanna; Alan Potamkin, Adrienne & Stevan Pardo, Senator Gwen Margolis, Commissioner Marc D. Sarnoff, Claudia Potamkin, Yolanda Berkowitz, Modesto Abety of The Children’s Trust, Sanford Ziff, Steven and DJ Kerr, Marlén Pernetti, Susan and Richard Lampen and fashion designer Rene Ruiz.
