In this issue . . . 
RECENT EVENTS Foundation receives big donation at annual Holiday Party
FOCUS ON FUNDS City of Coral Gables opens Gifting Fund
UPCOMING EVENTS Tour of Kitchens tickets make great holiday gifts!
MERRICK SOCIETY Become a member, make a difference in your community    
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RECENT EVENTS 

Foundation holds annual Holiday Party, receives big donation

Top photo: L-R: Former Chairs of the Foundation Don Slesnick, Jeannett Slesnick and Bill Bonn with current Chairman, Carlos F. Garcia. Bottom photo: Guests toasting the donations pledged at the annual holiday party, thanks in part to a large gift from Matthew Meehan and Rod Hildebrant.
The Coral Gables Community Foundation held its annual holiday party on December 10, 2014 at the beautiful home of Bill Bonn and Ruben Ceballos. At the event, the Foundation raised $50,000 thanks in part to a generous $20,000 matching grant from supporters Matthew Meehan and Rod Hildebrant.


Meehan, Secretary of the Foundation's Board of Directors, and Hildebrant pledged a generous $20,000 matching gift to the Foundation. Donations pledged by guests at the holiday party were matched dollar-for-dollar.

"The Coral Gables Community Foundation is so grateful to Matthew and Rod for their generous gift, which will positively impact the reach of our Foundation in 2015 and beyond," said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

Over 60 of Coral Gables' most generous community leaders attended this special holiday celebration. The Coral Gables Community Foundation would like to thank all of its supporters for their friendship and support this holiday season. Visit the Foundation's Facebook

 page for more photos from the event.

 

Foundation and Fire Department deliver Christmas trees to residents in need

On December 5, 2014, the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the Coral Gables Fire Department delivered Christmas trees to families in need. Now, these Gables residents can celebrate the holidays with their very own trees to decorate and enjoy! Check out this Coral Gables TV story about the Christmas Tree Giveaway, featuring interviews with the happy families. 

Merrick Festival Caroling Competition presents CGCF Full Choir Award

On December 9, 2014 at the Merrick Festival Caroling Competition Awards Ceremony, Coral Gables Community Foundation Executive Director, Mary Snow, presented three awards to the winners in the high school Full Choir category. The Merrick Festival recently received a $1,500 grant from the Foundation. Congratulations to the talented young singers!


 

Ponce Society of Young Professionals teams up with local YoPro groups for a Holiday Happy Hour

Ponce Society members David Rothenstein, Derek Spak, incoming PSYP Chair Monica Canabal, Amanda Bonifay and April Dojnia get together for a good cause at the Miami YoPro Holiday Happy Hour at The Stage.
The Ponce Society of Young Professionals (PSYP) teamed up with other local young professionals associations for the annual Miami YoPro Holiday Happy Hour at The Stage on December 2, 2014. More than twenty organizations joined forces to raise money for Take Stock in Children, which provides low-income youth with college scholarships and mentors. For more photos from the event, visit the PSYP Facebook page. Interested in joining the PSYP? Learn more now!

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FOCUS ON FUNDS

The City of Coral Gables establishes Gifting Fund at the Foundation

The City of Coral Gables Gifting Fund supports many City events, such as the 4th of July fireworks show at the Biltmore Hotel and the recent Christmas tree lighting and Holiday Spectacular held in front of City Hall.

We are pleased to announce the newly-established City of Coral Gables Gifting Fund, which cultivates and supports programs for City residents, such as the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration at The Biltmore Hotel, Jazz in the Gables, the Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Park, the Farmers Market and other great events. We encourage you to make a donation here. Donations to this fund will be used towards enhancing these signature events in your community!
 
 

 


Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presents check to Foundation
L-R: Chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Linda Knudsen, Coral Gables Community Foundation Board members John Allen, Marielena Villamil, Foundation Executive Director Mary Snow, Foundation Board members Andria Hanley, Aura Reinhardt, Jack Lowell and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce & Foundation Board member, Mark Trowbridge.
At the Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast event on December 18, 2014, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presented a $4,000 check to the Coral Gables Community Foundation to endow their Small Business Enhancement Fund at the Foundation. 

Gables students create organic garden thanks to grant from the Foundation
The organic garden at Coral Gables Senior High School provides the culinary students with a large selection of fresh produce.
Culinary arts students at Coral Gables Senior High School have created an organic garden right in the school's backyard, thanks to funds raised from the 2014 Tour of Kitchens. The garden provides the Culinary Arts department with a selection of fresh, organic vegetables and herbs, which they use in the classroom. 

 Piggy Bank Campaign participating funds and business partners
Look out for the Coral Gables Community Foundation piggy banks at the following Gables business locations - you only have a few more days left to get in the giving spirit and make a contribution before they're gone! The Piggy Bank Campaign will end just after Christmas. Don't forget to post photos of yourself making contributions to piggy banks toFacebook and Instagram using the hashtag #SpotThePigCG. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Thank you to our 6th Annual Tour of Kitchens sponsors 

 

Last minute shopping? Tour of Kitchens tickets make great gifts!
 

Purchase your Tour of Kitchens tickets now!

 

Upgrade your Tour of Kitchens journey with the VIP Limo Experience!

*Vehicles are subject to availability so book now!

 

Take the Tour of Kitchens with Bike Walk Coral Gables

 

For the third consecutive year, Bike Walk Coral Gables will partner with the Coral Gables Community Foundation for those who wish to bike the Tour of Kitchens. This is a great way to travel to each stop, enjoy the beautiful South Florida winter weather and even burn off some calories so you can enjoy the food provided by our sponsors guilt-free! Experienced bicycle tour leaders from Bike Walk Coral Gables will guide Tour participants on safe routes to the Tour stops. If you are interested in biking the Tour, please contact Deborah Swain at 305.496.2374 or

dswain@milianswain.com by January 30, 2015.

 
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Create your legacy today!
Coral Gables City Hall during Christmastime. 
   
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. 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 donors are invited to the annual benefactor reception and other special functions, and receive a lapel pin in recognition of their participation. 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.                                   David Mitchell

Marc Berenfeld                                           Jason Neal

Patricia Blanco                                  John O'Rourke III  

Karelia & Marino E. Carbonell    F. David & Ann Olazabal                    

George Corrigan                     Alfonso & Shannon Perez                      

Sissy DeMaria                                       Aura Reinhardt

Sasha Dolgicer                      Anthony L. "Tony" Rogers                    

Dr. Joyce Elam                                          Ari Rollnick

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

Carlos F. Garcia                                      Ron Shuffield

Zeke Guilford                                          Jorge E. Silva

Andria Hanley            The Hon. and Mrs. Don Slesnick II                              

Chris & JJ Hansen                            Eddie & Judy Snow     

Patricia Keon                                      The Torre Family

Henry Langston                                  Jose Valdes-Fauli

Rodolfo Lleonart                                 Marielena Villamil

Paul Lowenthal                        Wayne E. "Chip" Withers

Jack Lowell  


 

*Denotes lifetime membership

Mary Snow, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

305.446.9670 | mary@gablesfoundation.org 
305.446.9670

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."