Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will be hosting its annual black-tie “Wild About Kids” gala on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel. South Florida’s top community leaders will attend the Motown-themed event 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 event will commence with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a three-course dinner in the Alhambra Ballroom at 8 p.m.
By raising funds during the event, the organization will be able to provide its crucial programs and services at its six Clubs and sites, which include educational after-school programs, tutoring and homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts and crafts, mentoring, and summer and athletic programs. These programs play a significant role in helping children realize their full potential and become productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Attendees will enjoy a memorable evening with classic hits from the Motown era, including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and many more, performed by DJ Sama and the Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Juez Band. In addition, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s young members will present a unique Motown-themed musical performance. The event will be emceed by Belkys Nerey, a five-time Emmy award-winning journalist and WSVN Channel 7 news personality.
Guests can also make donations and participate in a silent auction featuring high-end items and luxurious experiences. Furthermore, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will be honoring distinguished alumni by inducting them into the Class of 2023 Alumni Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees include 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 co-chairs for the annual gala are board chair Andy Stuart and his wife Allison Stuart, who is a member of the Board of Directors and a long-time supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. Olga Guilarte, who is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs 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,” Alex Rodriguez-Roig says, 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 Clubs’ 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,” Andy Stuart says. “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.”
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 or visit BGCmia.org/event/wakgala2023/.
Photo credit: World Red Eye
