In this issue . . .  
BOARD NEWS  Foundation welcomes a new board member
FOCUS ON FUNDS Symphonettes keep busy, receive recognition
RECENT EVENTS  PSYP gets friendly at happy hour
UPCOMING EVENTS Purchase tickets now for our roarin' Gables Gatsby Gala!
MERRICK SOCIETY Become a member, make a difference in your community     
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Venny Torre joins Board of Directors
 
Venny Torre, Chief Executive Officer of Torre Construction and Development, has joined the Coral Gables Community Foundation's Board of Directors.
 
Torre joins the Foundation's Board of Directors with more than 30 years of experience in his industry. 
 
He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida as well as an Associate's Degree in Arts in Architecture. Torre is a Certified Florida Licensed General Contractor and a licensed Real Estate broker. He and his family reside in Coral Gables. 
 
Torre also serves as the Treasurer for the Coral Gables Museum Board of Trustees as well as a member of The Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board and is a Trustee for the Dade Heritage Trust.
 
Karelia Martinez Carbonell receives award from Junior League of Miami Foundation
 
Karelia Martinez Carbonell with her award

 

Karelia Martinez Carbonell, the Coral Gables Community Foundation's Development Committee Chair, was recently recognized by the Junior League of Miami Foundation with the Visionary Award for for her contributions to the Foundation.


In celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Junior League of Miami Foundation's Board of Directors wanted to honor someone who has made outstanding commitments to the organization, as well as to the community. As a former President of Junior League who brought significant developments to their Foundation, it was clear that Karelia was the perfect recipient for this award.
 
Congratulations to Karelia!
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Culinary Arts Fund awards first scholarship 

Foundation Executive Director Mary Snow with Culinary Arts Fund scholarship recipient Juan Mejia and Coral Gables Senior High Culinary Arts Program Director Mercy Vera

The Culinary Arts Fund supports the Culinary Arts Program at Coral Gables Senior High School and is mainly supported by the proceeds from the Foundation's annual Tour of Kitchens (TOK) event. Part of the funds raised from this year's TOK allowed the Foundation to provide the cooking students at Gables High with new kitchen supplies, uniforms and award one student with a scholarship.

Juan Mejia visited the Foundation offices on July 8, 2014 to receive a $2,000 college scholarship. Mejia is an outstanding student in the Gables Culinary Arts Program who plans on continuing to pursue his love of cooking at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami later this fall.

 


Symphonettes cap off a successful year

The Symphonettes Fund administered by the Coral Gables Community Foundation supports the organization that is made up of high school girls who promote the arts and music in our community. The ladies of Symphonettes just completed a busy and very successful school year. 

Incoming President Kelly Moran shared with us in a letter what the girls have been up to, ranging from raising money at their annual fashion show to receiving prestigious awards:

"Symphonettes has been enriching the arts in our community since it was founded in 1966, and this year was a record year under the guidance of President Julie Goldstein. They kicked off the year with a fall fundraising raffle and Symphonettes was able to donate $2,100 to Coral Gables High School for the purchase of new risers at the end of 2013. After months of hard work, on March 2nd, the club held their Annual Senior Fashion Show, this year themed 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' at the Ritz Carlton, Coconut Grove. The Silent Auction raised over $20,000, contributing to the record setting success of the funds gained in Symphonettes' Fashion Show history. Along with these larger projects, the members held smaller events, such as their Garage Sale. They also served arts-related organizations by volunteering at events and by ushering at concerts.  
Symphonettes President Kelly Moran, Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman of the Miami-Dade County School Board and Symphonettes member Karina Gonzlaez


To bring the year to a close, on May 18th, Julie led the girls in presenting twelve organizations with donations totalling more than $50,000. Among them were Miami Children's Chorus, St. Martha's Yamaha Concert Series, Florida Youth Orchestra, South Florida Youth Symphony, Miami Children's Theater, Greater Miami Youth Symphony, Actors' Playhouse, Singing Miamians, Miami String Project, Coral Gables Chamber Symphony & Opera, and Voices United. Also among these beneficiaries are the students of the Miami-Dade public schools through Bryan Petorak, District Supervisor of the Performing Arts. This donation of $21,000 will be distributed between fourteen different public schools in need of instrument maintenance, instrument replacements, and risers. 

Following the meeting, on June 18th, Symphonettes received an award for their support of the arts with a Proclamation from The School Board of Miami-Dade County. This incredible honor highlights the hard work and success of the members this year and encourages the girls to follow in Julie's footsteps to continue improving the club."

Sincerely,
Kelly Moran, Symphonettes

Foundation grant recipient awards scholarship to Gables teen

The Coral Gables Community Foundation recently awarded grants to four local organizations, including the Battier Take Charge Foundation, founded by Miami Heat star and 2014 Gala honoree Shane Battier. 
Executive Director of the Battier Take Charge Foundation Newell Fleming with scholarship recipient Elianys Gonzalez and Senior VP of Big Brothers Big Sisters Gale Nelson
 
The $5,000 grant award that the Battier Take Charge Foundation received went towards funding one year of college studies for a new Battier Take Charge Scholar selected from the greater Coral Gables community. As part of their Battier Take Charge Scholarship program, deserving young leaders from the greater Miami, Houston, and Detroit areas are awarded four-year $20,000 college scholarships.
 
This year's local recipient was Elianys (Eli) Gonzalez, a recent graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School. Gonzalez applied for the scholarship through Big Brother Big Sisters of Greater Miami, a partner of the Battier Take Charge Foundation. She received her scholarship award on June 9, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency from Newell Fleming, Executive Director of the Battier Take Charge Foundation and Gale Nelson, Senior Vice President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.
 
Grants deadline approaching 
 
The next deadline for grant applications to the Coral Gables Community Foundation is September 19, 2014. Visit our website for the application and more information on our grants program.
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RECENT EVENTS 

Ponce Society of Young Professionals makes new friends

 

The Ponce Society of Young Professionals' second annual Friendraiser was a great success! More than 40 Coral Gables young professionals joined the group for Happy Hour at Tarpon Bend as they shared information about the Ponce Society of Young Professionals (PSYP) and the many different ways they give back to the community. A few lucky attendees even took home some great raffle prizes, including a $25 gift certificate to Pincho Factory!


It's never too late to join the PSYP - feel free to contact the organization if you are interested in becoming a Friend. It is only a $25 commitment with benefits that include: free entrance to the next PSYP event, invites to all PSYP events, your name on Facebook as well as on the Foundation website and more!

Visit the PSYP Facebook page for more photos from the event. Thanks to all those who were in attendance!

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UPCOMING EVENTS 

Purchase your Gables Gatsby Gala tickets and tables today!

 

Coral Gables, get dolled up in your ritziest glad rags for the most fun night of the year! Our 2014 Gables Gatsby Gala will take place on Friday, October 10, 2014 from 7pm -1am at the Coral Gables Country Club. Purchase tickets and tables now for an event that's surely guaranteed to be the Cat's Meow!

Tables, sponsorship opportunities and gala program advertisements are now available. Get a wiggle on and contact us so you can be a part of this roarin' fundraiser!

 

Ponce Society of Young Professionals to hold annual Shirt & Tie Drive

 

Coral Gables, come out and support your local high school football team! The Ponce Society of Young Professionals presents its annual Dress Shirt & Tie Drive. The Coral Gables Senior High Cavaliers are starting their season soon and need donations so they may participate in the tradition of dressing up on Game Day. Please bring Dress Shirts and Ties (new or used) to CRAVE Restaurant on Thursday, August 7 from 6:00-8:00 PM. Entrance to this event is FREE - just bring a donation so you can receive a drink ticket and appetizers! We hope to see you there - and GO CAVS!

 

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  MERRICK SOCIETY  

Create your legacy today!

The Coral Gables Merrick House (also known as the Merrick House or Merrick Manor), located at 907 Coral Way, was the family residence of George E. Merrick
   
ABOUT THE MERRICK SOCIETY 

Merrick's vision for better living continues today as involved Coral Gables stakeholders strive to maintain the look and feel of the City Beautiful. Do you have a vision for Coral Gables?The Coral Gables Community Foundation established the Merrick Society so that visionary people like you could continue George Merrick's dream of color. The Merrick Society  preserves key philanthropic activities in the Gables and 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. Merrick Society level donors are invited to the annual benefactor reception and other special functions, and receive a lapel pin in recognition of their participation and vision. To find out more, please contact our Executive Director, Mary Snow, at 305.446.9670, or via email at mary@gablesfoundation.org.

 
Merrick Society Dream in Color 

 

 

The Foundation is pleased to present our MERRICK SOCIETY Level Donors

 

$100,000 Level
Robert J. "Bob" & Marian Fewell*


$10,000 Level
William A. Bonn & Ruben Ceballos

 

$5,000 Level

Lee Osiason


$2,500 Level
Evelyn J. Budde
Miles & Patty McGrane
Matthew T. Meehan & Rod Hildebrant

Alex Montague & Maria Alonso 


$1,000 Level 

John R. Allen, Jr.                                         Jason Neal

Marc Berenfeld                                  John O'Rourke III

Patricia Blanco                         F. David & Ann Olazabal          

Karelia & Marino E. Carbonell   Alfonso & Shannon Perez                     

George Corrigan                                    Aura Reinhardt         

Sissy DeMaria                        Anthony L. "Tony" Rogers              

Dr. Joyce Elam                                           Ari Rollnick

Wayne Cameron Eldred                 Dr. Audrey & H.J. Ross               

Carlos F. Garcia                                        Jorge E. Silva

Zeke Guilford        The Hon. and Mrs. Don Slesnick II, Esq.           

Andria Hanley                                   Eddie & Judy Snow

Patricia Keon                                             Venny Torre

Henry Langston                                  Jose Valdes-Fauli        

Rodolfo Lleonart                                 Marielena Villamil 

Paul Lowenthal                         Wayne E. "Chip" Withers                     

  

*Denotes lifetime membership  


 

 


Mary Snow, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
305.446.9670 | mary@gablesfoundation.org
               

ABOUT THE CORAL GABLES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Led by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. For almost 25 years, The Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to "The City Beautiful." 

 

 

 

 

Coral Gables Community Foundation logo  
   
305.446.9670