Miami, Fla. — Sept. 13, 2023 — Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is excited to announce it will host its annual black-tie “Wild About Kids” Gala, with the theme Motown, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. The event will kick off with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a three-course dinner in the Alhambra Ballroom at 8 p.m. South Florida’s top community leaders, philanthropists and influencers will be among the guests who will be transported back to the Motown era with dinner, dancing, live entertainment, an engaging program and more to support great futures for Miami-Dade area youth.
The proceeds raised will fund the Clubs’ crucial programs and services at its six Clubs and sites combined including its educational after school programs, tutoring and homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts and crafts, mentoring, and summer and athletic programs. These programs help children realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
DJ Sama alongside the Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Juez Band will provide the soundtrack for the evening with classic hits from the Motown era including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Jackson 5 and so much more. Guests will also enjoy a unique Motown themed-musical performance from Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s youth members. Five-time Emmy award-winning journalist and WSVN Channel 7 news personality Belkys Nerey will emcee the event.
Supporters will have a special opportunity to sponsor a child through donations and participate in a silent auction featuring high-end items and exceptional luxury experiences. During the event, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will honor notable alumni, inducting them into the Class of 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame including Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III, Mayor of Miami Gardens Rodney Harris, WNBA Player Erica Wheeler and Actor Alex Livinalli.
The 15th Annual “Wild About Kids” Gala is co-chaired once again by long-time Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade supporters Board Chair Andy Stuart and his wife Allison Stuart, who is on the Board of Directors. Olga Guilarte, member of Boys & Girls of Miami-Dade’s Executive Committee, is the special event chair.
Gala committee members from Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s Board of Directors include Tom Bezold, Liana De Mena, Maria Luisa Gonzalez, Rudy Lleonart, Kristina Perez-Cubas, Karen Rodriguez and Richard Rodriguez. Additional committee members include Susan Abraham, Jackie Gonzalez, Lisa Mendelson, Yuni Navarro, Lily Pardo, Karen Rodriguez, Richard Rodriguez, Durée Ross, Marianne Schmidhofer, Rae Stein, Meredith Virnig and Michelle Zubizarreta.
“We’re excited to host our 15th Annual ‘Wild About Kids’ Gala at The Loews Coral Gables Hotel with the special theme of Motown,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our returning co-chairs Andy and Allison Stuart, our board members and our donors who are committed to providing great futures for our area youth. The annual event will help us continue to raise funds to serve the Club’s many positive programs, support the Capital Campaign to completely rebuild the Northwest Club into a state-of-the-art facility and expand the new sixth Club.”
“Allison and I are honored to return as co-chairs for the ‘Wild About Kids’ Gala,” said Andy Stuart. “We look forward to enjoying an exceptional evening of entertainment, dancing and dinner while raising crucial funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s many positive programs.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dadethank the sponsors for their generous support. The Carmen Rebozo Foundation is The Supremes sponsor. The Four Tops sponsors are the Ansin Foundation Inc./WSVN 7 and Andrew and Allison Stuart, and The Miracles sponsors are Ocean Bank, Thoma Bravo and DRRT. The Jackson 5 sponsors include Academica, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Baptist Health South Florida, Bermont Gold Wealth Advisory of Raymond James, Blue Streak LLC., & CCU, LLC., First American Bank & Rodolfo Lleonart, InterJuris, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ana and Raul Marmol, Lisa and Victor Mendelson Family, Somos Group, USI Insurance and Meredith and Kenneth “Chip” Virnig.
In-kind sponsors include Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., Total Wine & More, The Fudge Pie Co., WSVN 7 and Coca-cola Beverages Florida. Current underwriters include the Bernhardt Family, Florida Physicians PSN, Bob Parks, Greta & Mark Walker Foundation and Tasco.
Gala sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are now available. Sponsorships and tickets range from $1,000 to $75,000. For more information about sponsorship or underwriting opportunities, please contact Rhia Hunter at (305) 446-9910 ext. 108, or email rhunter@bgcmia.org or visit https://bgcmia.org/event/wakgala2023/.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has been serving youth in the community since 1946. What once was a single building and site for boys has grown to six Clubs and sites combined serving thousands of boys and girls year-round, providing programs in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, cultural arts and sports, fitness and recreation. Club staffing, initiatives, and programs are designed to inspire and enable area youth and provide them with the resources to succeed and share in the American Dream. For more information, please visit www.bgcmia.org, facebook.com/BoysGirlsClubsMiamiDade, instagram.com/bgcmiamidade, twitter.com/BGCMia, youtube.com/user/BGCMiamiDade, or call 305.446.9910.