Nearly 800 people attended the Best Buddies' 12th annual Miami gala with the theme La Fiesta Española on Watson Island. The event raised more than $1.5 million for Best Buddies International, a vibrant organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
"This was an amazing night,” said Anthony Kennedy Shriver. “For us to raise over $1.5 million in the worst economy in my lifetime shows that people connect to our Buddies like nothing else – we are blessed beyond words.”
This year's event was presented by UBS, and included a special performance by Earth, Wind & Fire. Among the special guest included: actor Verne "Mini Me" Troyer; actresses Vivica A. Fox, Meagan Good, and Brady Bunch's Maureen McCormick; Miami Heat Point Guard Mario Chalmers; Miss USA Crystle Stewart; Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza; and Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.. Socialite guest included artist Romero Britto, Southern Wine's Richard Booth, The Forge's Shareef Malnik, Morten Aagaard and wife Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard, Thomas Kramer, Alina Shriver, film producer Ryan Cavanaugh, Lydia Touzet and Rodolfo Touzet.
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