BOARD NEWS
Montica Jewelry's JOHN O'ROURKE joins our Board of Directors
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We are pleased to welcome John O'Rourke, owner of Montica Jewelry (75 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables), to our Board of Directors.
An active, passionate, and influential voice within the jewelry industry, he is frequently sought after for interviews by noteworthy publications. John sits on the Board of Directors of theIndependent Jewelers Organization (IJO), the world's largest independent jewelry buying group in the United States, and is affiliated with the nationally recognized firm Wexler Insurance Agency.
John has also served as Chairman for the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, as Vice President for the Coral Gables Business Improvement District, and on numerous boards over the years including the City of Coral Gables Economic Development, Make-A-Wish of South Florida, and CHARLEEHomes for Children.
After a successful run as a private banker, John joined his wife at Montica Jewelry in 1995. He immediately delved into unknown territory by pursuing a degree from the Gemological Institute of America. John is now considered a diamond expert in his own right and a leader in the industry.
Over the years, John and and his wife Marichi have focused their attention on enhancing the jewelry buying experience. Between John's remarkable breadth of knowledge and Marichi's extensive background, the pair have managed to turn Montica Jewelry into one of the premier jewelry stores in South Florida.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Robert J. Fewell receives the Chamber's George E. Merrick Award of Excellence
 The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Allen Morris Company, honored Robert J. Fewell as the recipient of the 6th Annual George E. Merrick Award of Excellence on Thursday evening, June 27th, at the historic Biltmore Hotel.
Robert J. Fewell has been an outstanding citizen of Coral Gables for more than seven decades. At the end of World War II, Robert Fewell left the Navy and enrolled in law school at the University of Miami. Working for the Keyes Company, Fewell had his first offices on Miracle Mile.
As a proud UM alumnus, Fewell studied the history of George Merrick and was thoroughly enthralled by his planning and development of The City Beautiful. Moreover, as his business grew, Fewell began to donate to his alma mater, first to athletics, and later to the UM School of Medicine. As time passed, Fewell became a well-known philanthropist, donating money to the Douglas Road and Miracle Mile Archways, donating land for Fewell Park, and contributing 2 million dollars for the construction of The Robert and Marian Fewell wing at the Coral Gables Museum.  Robert Fewell has been committed to rehabilitating and restoring properties in Coral Gables. These properties dot the landscape of the Coral Gables business community and remind us of the vision that Merrick originally created.
"It's a great honor to receive such an amazing award after a pioneer who I admired and landscaped the blueprint of Coral Gables. To be nominated among an outstanding group of Distinguished Honorees is a privilege, because without Merrick, the Gables wouldn't have flourished the way it has today," said Robert J. Fewell, 2013 George E. Merrick Award recipient.
The George E. Merrick Award was founded by W. Allen Morris and The Allen Morris Company in 2008 to recognize and celebrate a visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the cultural celebration, promotion, beautification, preservation and economic growth of the City of Coral Gables.
"We are proud to have partnered with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce the past six years for the annual award of recognizing excellence, in addition to continuing the tradition of honoring the founding father of Coral Gables, George Merrick, by highlighting and selecting a distinguished visionary leader for his or her outstanding contributions to the city," said W. Allen Morris, Chairman, president and CEO of The Allen Morris Company.
The award was named after original visionary and founder of the City Beautiful, George Edward Merrick, who is also credited with the establishment of the University of Miami and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
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photo courtesy of Photography by Alberto Romeu. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
* SAVE THE DATE Thursday 8/8/13
6-8PM for the Dress Shirt & Tie Drive
SAVE THE DATE Thursday, August 8th for the second annual "Dress Shirt and Tie Drive" to benefit the Varsity Football Team at Coral Gables Senior High School. Stay tuned to our website gablesfoundation.org for the announcement of the location. The event will be held from 6-8PM. Please bring new or slightly used dress shirts and ties in a variety of sizes to donate to the players so they can dress up on game days.
* SAVE THE DATE Saturday 10/19/13 for our "Viva Las Gables" Gala Our 22nd annual fund raiser will be a Vintage Vegas black tie event with a live show and casino style gambling. Visit our website events page for more information.
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MERRICK SOCIETY
The Foundation is pleased to announce our latest MERRICK SOCIETY Donors
John R. Allen, Jr. | Home Financing Center
Marc Berenfeld, CPA | Cherry Bekaert LLP
Pat Blanco, BSN MPH FACHE | Doctors Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida
William A. "Bill' Bonn & Ruben Ceballos
Evelyn Budde
Karelia Martinez Carbonell & Marino E. Carbonell
Dr. Joyce Elam
Robert J. "Bob" & Marian Fewell*
Carlos F. Garcia, CPA | Goldstein Schechter Koch
Catherine Grieve, Esq.
Zeke Guildford, Esq.
Michael & Heather HarrisMiles & Patty McGrane Matthew T. Meehan & Rod Hildebrant
Christopher J. Lapan & Jos� J. Rodriguez Villalobos
Jason Neal | Waste Management, Inc.
F. David & Ann Olazabal
Alfonso & Shannon Perez
John & Marichi O'Rourke | Montica Jewelry
Lee J. Osiason, Esq.
Aura Reinhardt | Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Anthony L. "Tony" Rogers, J.D. | Planning Consultants Group
Jerrry Santeiro
Marielena A. Villamil | Washington Economics Group
Wayne E. "Chip" Withers
*Denotes lifetime membership at $100,000 level ABOUT THE MERRICK SOCIETY The Coral Gables Community Foundation established the Merrick Society to preserve key philanthropic activities in Coral Gables. The annual campaign raises unrestricted funds for the Foundation. Merrick Society donors commit to a three-year annual contribution of$1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or more. The Merrick Society is dedicated to continuing George Merrick's vision. Merrick Society donors are invited to the annual benefactor reception and other special functions. Merrick Society donors also receive a lapel pin in recognition of their participation. 
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Andria Hanley, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 305/446.9670 | ahanley@gablesfoundation.org @AndriaHanley @CGCF @PonceSociety @TOURofKITCHENS
ABOUT THE CORAL GABLES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Established in 1991, the mission of the Coral Gables Community Foundation is to foster programs that promote and encourage cultural, educational, health, historic preservation, and charitable projects that enhance the quality of life for all people in Coral Gables.
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