Women of Tomorrow Gala Raises Record-Breaking $900,000

Even as we get close to the charity fatigue that hits after months of gown-&-high-heel-wearing, champagne-sipping and auction-bidding (#MiamiSocietyProblems), the Women of Tomorrow Gala still draws a huge number of enthusiastic supporters. It’s not just gala chair Marisa Toccin Lucas’ masterful way of re-inventing the glamorous experience each year, it’s also the cause.

For 18 years, Women of Tomorrow has inspired, motivated and empowered at-risk young women so they can live up to their full potential through a unique mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities.

More than 500 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, celebrities and politicians gathered at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to attend the gala. And the best photo op? The Miami Heat Championship Trophy that was on display during the cocktail reception! Following the reception, guests were treated to a decadent four-course dinner and live music from Soul Survivors — with many of us dancing till we almost dropped.

This year there was an unprecedented live auction and remarkable support from donors. The silent auction included items from top luxury brands including Prada USA; Yves Saint Laurent, Bal Harbour; Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour; Britto Central; The St. Regis, Bal Harbour Resort; Diane Walder, M.D., P.A.; Perry Ellis International and more.

James Rosenquist, one of America’s greatest living artists, donated an important art piece, one of the most anticipated items in the auction. The “A Hole in the Wallpaper: Be Beautiful” piece was sold for an undisclosed six figures. Pat Riley was also there and in a surprise move, auctioned off a VIP Heat experience for a private dinner with him and his wife Chris Riley, along with VIP seats to a game and signed memorabilia.

The Collection auctioned off a 3 Year Lease on a Maserati Ghibli – and presented Honorary Chairs, expectant parents Wayne and Cynthia Boich their own baby Ferrari walker. A Kaufmann Franco Spring 2014 Collection Gown was auctioned off along with 2 tickets to their Fashion Week show at Lincoln Center in New York City. Other highlights of this year’s live auction included a $5,000 Gift Certificate courtesy of Neiman Marcus and a one-of-a-kind Donna Karan Dress courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour and Donna Karan New York.

Among the guests were WOT founders Jennifer Valoppi and former Telemundo Network president, Don Browne and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

Gala honorees included Honorary Chairmen Wayne & Cynthia Boich; Legacy Builder Honorees Bruce & Tracey Berkowitz, The Fairholme Foundation; Leadership Award Honoree Edie Lutnick; Champion Award Honoree Miami HEAT; Excellence Honorees Tara Solomon & Nick D’Annunzio, Tara Ink; and Mentor of the Year Robbin Newman.

About Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program
Women of Tomorrow (WOT) was conceived in 1997 by television journalist, Jennifer Valoppi and co-founded with Don Browne, retired Telemundo Network President. WOT currently mentors over 3,200 at-risk girls in over 151 public high schools in approximately 62 cities in South Florida and Metropolitan Detroit with its network of over 450 Mentors. Research shows that WOT Mentees have increased self-esteem, a 92% high school graduation rate, and increased academic performance each year they are in the program. WOT has awarded over $3.4 million in college scholarships to nearly 1,300 mentees.

For more information, call 305.371.3330 or visitwww.womenoftomorrow.org

Daisy Olivera

PHOTOS: ZOLTAN

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