The annual “Jazz at Joe’s” champagne brunch event, hosted by the Women’s Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami at South Beach landmark, Joe’s Stone Crab, raised more than $75,000 to support the nonprofit organization’s youth mentoring program. More than 300 people attended and enjoyed stone crabs, classic key lime pie and live jazz music at the event. The money raised at this year’s brunch will help cover the cost to match 13 youths known as “Littles,” with mentors known as “Bigs.” The organization served nearly 2,000 kids during the 2014-2015 academic year, but needs resources and volunteers to serve more kids during 2015-2016. The annual cost of screening, making and supporting one community-based match is $1,500.
Luncheon chairs Hayley Sloman and Lesli Brown
Lesli Brown and Hayley Sloman served as chairs of the event. Sponsors included Platinum Saxophone sponsors Allergan, CareerSource South Florida, Gladys Rustan-Hernando and Susan Rutrough as well as Gold Saxophone Sponsors Lesli Brown, Bronwyn Miller, Alexis Calleja, Cherry Bekaert LLP, Keith and Carol Chin, The Shepard Broad Foundation, DOS Health Management, O’Quinn Stumphauzer & Sloman, and Richard Parrillo, Sr. The PR sponsor was Roar Media. Also there were Alexis Calleja, Women’s Committee Co-President and Miracle Society member; Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Women’s Committee Co-President and Miracle Society member; Rob Bowlby, Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami; Lydia Muniz, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami; Bonnie Crabtree, Chair of the Big Foundation, Matt Gorson, Chairman Elect of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami.
BBBS Miami mentoring programs currently serve more than 7,000 children, volunteers and families annually. Funds from “Jazz at Joes” help provide much-needed funding to the organization’s core mentoring programs, which include community-, school- and employer-based mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor and volunteer supported organization that transforms the lives of at-risk children through supportive adult mentor relationships. For more information, visit www.bbbsmiami.org.
