In this issue . . .  
BOARD NEWS New year brings in two new Board members
FOCUS ON FUNDS The Slesnicks make a big donation
RECENT EVENTS Board Installation and Reception takes place
UPCOMING EVENTS Purchase your Tour of Kitchens tickets today!
MERRICK SOCIETY Become a member, make a difference in your community    
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Scott Poulin joins Board of Directors 

 
The Coral Gables Community Foundation is proud to announce the addition of Scott Poulin to its Board of Directors. Scott is the Managing Director of Client Development at Wescott Financial Advisory Group. He is responsible for designing, implementing and attaining Wescott's wealth management and sub-advisory marketing and sales objectives for the Florida region.

Prior to joining Wescott, Scott gathered more than 20 years of trust and investment experience working with such organizations as SunTrust, BankBoston and Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and is Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for the United Way's Center for Financial Stability.

Scott received his bachelor's degree in finance/investments and economics from Babson College, his master's degree in business administration from the University of Miami and his National Trust School degree from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In addition, Scott is a registered trust representative and has completed Certified Financial Planner™ courses at Barry University.

He resides in Coconut Grove with his wife, Nanda Poulin, and their two children.

Monica Canabal becomes Ponce Society Chair, joins Foundation Board of Directors

 

The Coral Gables Community Foundation is happy to welcome Monica Canabal to its Board of Directors. Monica is a Home Financing Center mortgage professional with over six years in the financing industry. Prior to her current position, Monica was an insurance agent for a Coral Gables agency affiliated with Home Financing Center. This combined experience of insurance and mortgage banking has allowed her to help clients view their total financial picture when financing their home purchase.

 

Monica is also a founding member of the Ponce Society of Young Professionals (PSYP) and serves as the organization's 2015 Chair. The PSYP was established in October 2011 as the young professionals outreach of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Through this group, Monica has supported the Foundation in carrying out its mission and in getting more young professionals involved with Foundation initiatives and activities. Migrating from Colombia to Miami with limited resources, education and philanthropy have become an important part of Monica's life. She is very proud to be part of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and is looking forward to both serving and enhancing the quality of life for people living and working in "The City Beautiful".
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FOCUS ON FUNDS

Don and Jeannett Slesnick contribute $22,000 to the Slesnick Family Fund

Foundation supporters Don & Jeannett Slesnick at last year's Gables Gatsby Gala.

Former Foundation Chairs Don and Jeannett Slesnick recently made a generous donation to the Coral Gables Community Foundation. The Slesnicks contributed $22,000 to the Slesnick Family Fund, a general purpose donor-advised fund.

Don, former Mayor of Coral Gables and Jeannett, a local realtor, have both served as Chairs of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Jeannett in 2008 and Don from 1997-1998.

This donation is just the latest on the long list of charitable contributions that the Slesnicks have made to the Foundation, to their fund and to the community. 
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RECENT EVENTS

Foundation holds annual Board Installation & Reception, names officers

The Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors at the 2015 Board Installation & Reception
On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, the Coral Gables Community Foundation held its annual Board Installation and Reception at the offices of Wescott Financial Advisory. The 2015 Board of Directors were sworn in by Coral Gables Mayor, Jim Cason. At the ceremony, Foundation Chairman Carlos F. Garcia announced the nomination of the Foundation's new Chair-Elect, John O'Rourke III. John Allen, Jr. will be Chairman of the Community Giving Committee. Matthew Meehan and David Olazabal were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board, respectively. William A. Bonn will remain as Immediate Past Chairman. Special awards were presented to Ari Rollnick for 2014 Board Member of the Year, in recognition of his role in creating the Foundation's new logo, and to John O'Rourke III for 2014 Executive Board Member of the Year, in recognition of his work leading the Community Giving Committee.

To view more photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page.

2015 Board of Directors Officers

Carlos F. Garcia, Chairman
William A. Bonn, Immediate Past Chairman
John O'Rourke III, Chair-Elect
Matthew Meehan, Secretary
David Olazabal, Treasurer
John Allen, Jr., Chair - Community Giving Committee
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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Tour of Kitchens is fast approaching...purchase tickets today!

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.
  
The clock is ticking...purchase your 2015 Tour of Kitchens tickets here!
 

 
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Create your legacy today!
George E. Merrick, second from the left, was a visionary creator.
   
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*


$25,000 Level
Matthew T. Meehan & Rod Hildebrant 

$15,000 Level

William A. Bonn & Ruben Ceballos

 

$5,000 Level

Lee Osiason


$2,500 Level
Evelyn J. Budde
Miles & Patty McGrane

Alex Montague & Maria Alonso 


$1,000 Level 

John R. Allen, Jr.                                    David Mitchell    

Marc Berenfeld                                  John O'Rourke III       

Patricia Blanco                         F. David & Ann Olazabal           

Karelia & Marino E. Carbonell   Alfonso & Shannon Perez                     

George Corrigan                                        Scott Poulin           

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, Esq.                              

Chris & JJ Hansen                            Eddie & Judy Snow     

Patricia Keon                       Robert & Ashley Thornburg

Henry Langston                                  The Torre Family

Rodolfo Lleonart                                 Jose Valdes-Fauli

Paul Lowenthal                                   Marielena Villamil

Jack Lowell                               Wayne E. "Chip" Withers

Jason Neal 

 

*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."