The Voices for Children Foundation held their glamorous annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami. A special performance by Miami City Ballet was one of the highlights of the black tie evening called the “Be a Voice Take a Stand Gala.”
Over 400 of Miami’s power players attended the gala — which is the biggest fundraiser of the year — put on by the foundation which is the fundraising arm of the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. The gala honored the Mandarin Oriental hotel and Swire Properties’ 10-year commitment and outstanding fundraising efforts, which have raised $2.7 in revenue and in-kind support for the foundation.
The honorees then issued a challenge for the corporate leaders in the room to follow their example and commit to helping Voices for Children for the next decade. Mandarin Oriental’s Area Vice President and General Manager Jorge Gonzalez then made the stunning, spontaneous announcement that the hotel would cover the evening’s cost for dinner, drinks and valet for the more than 400 guests in attendance. How can you top that!?
CBS 4 news anchors, Shannon Hori and Elliot Rodriguez emceed the festivities including the ceremony and live auction, which included a Cathay Pacific Airways trip with accommodations at Mandarin Oriental properties in Hong Kong, Macau and Bangkok. The silent auction featured a variety of fabulous items from Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Neiman Marcus, South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the Miami HEAT.
After the reception, attendees enjoyed a performance by the Miami City Ballet set to Frank Sinatra music, featuring costumes by fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. The guests, not be outdone, also danced on into the night.
PHOTOS: BENJAMIN THACKER
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