November 2021 Community Foundation Newsletter
Your Community. Your Philanthropy. Your Foundation.
Giving & Receiving
Always in Season---30 years Strong
The Foundation recently donated Publix gift cards to 50 Carver Elementary School families in need of a Thanksgiving meal. This donation was made possible in part by the generosity of Vice Mayor Mike Mena, Commissioner Jorge Fors, the Coral Gables Firefighter Benevolent Association, EPGD Law, Nelson Hernandez, Les Pantin, Gabriel Garay and others who stepped up to donate this Thanksgiving.
Down the road, another stop was made to St. Alban's Child Enrichment Center. Thank you to our friends at the Riley Smith Group for their generosity in donating turkeys and all the trimmings to 12 families, ensuring them a Thanksgiving meal.
Foundation awards 2021 Fall Grants
The Coral Gables Community Foundation has awarded grants to 39 deserving local non-profit organizations in its latest distribution to support issues within the Foundation’s focus areas: education, arts & culture, historic preservation and social & health services.

We are proud to support the great work of our Fall 2021 Grantees!

Congratulations to our 2021 Fall Grantees!
TOUR OF KITCHENS IS BACK AGAIN IN FEBRUARY
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us on Saturday, February 12 for the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s signature Tour of Kitchens!
Now for the 13th year, guests will be inspired as they visit Coral Gables’ most exquisite private residence kitchens, indulge in bites from the City’s top restaurants, enjoy spirit tastings and shop curated home goods from local merchants. Proceeds from the Tour of Kitchens benefit the Foundation’s pivotal outreach efforts including the Culinary Arts program and its students at Coral Gables High School.
Did you hear...?
Foundation Board Member Aura Reinhardt! Aura was recognized with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award at the annual Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Businesswomen of the Year awards ceremony.

Aura is the Executive Director of the Business Improvement District and has not only been an active and contributing member of the Foundation Board for many years, but has dedicated her time serving the Coral Gables Art Cinema, the Coral Gables Museum and Barefoot College International.

Congratulations Aura!
Past Foundation Board Chair, Ron Shuffield received the distinguished honor of the 2021 George E. Merrick Award of Excellence. Presented annually by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Allen Morris Company, the Merrick Award is the community’s highest honor. Mary Snow, President & CEO of The Foundation, received the Merrick-in-the-Marking Award, of Unsung Hero!
Congratulations Ron and Mary! 
The Community Giving Committee met recently to select our Fall Grant recipients. Thank you to the members of the Committee for dedicating their time to this important initiative: Laura Russo, Michael McCarthy, Scott Richey, David Olazabal, Kaiser Ahmed, Mary Snow, Venny Torre, Michael Walsh and Aura Reinhardt. We received many applications from outstanding organizations.
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On November 5th, fund holder, Friends of Gables High, held their 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Coral Gables High School followed by a reception at the Coral Gables Country Club. Congratulations to the following Cavaliers:

Stuart Grossman '64 is recognized as one of America’s preeminent trial lawyers. He is co-founder of the Grossman, Roth, Yaffa, Cohen law firm in Coral Gables, and has been recognized by numerous groups for his unparalleled legal advocacy. He has made a lasting impact through his generous support of many civic and charitable causes, including as Chairman of Margaux's Miracle, which funds pediatric cancer research. Stuart was a member of the Gables High debate team and basketball team manager. He holds both undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Miami.

Roy Sekoff '77 is the President and Chief Creative Officer of HuffPost Studios. He was Founding Editor of the Huffington Post and President and co-creator of HuffPost Live. Roy was a writer and on-air correspondent for Michael Moore's Emmy-winning "TV Nation" and his work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Village Voice and The London Times. At Gables High, he was President of Thespians Drama Club and played leading roles in Barefoot in the Park and Pinocchio. Roy is a graduate of the University of Miami.

Lissette Calderon '92 is the founder of Neology Life, a visionary development company with trendsetting projects along and near the Miami River. She has made extraordinary contributions to the community, focusing on disadvantaged kids and women, as a board member of Amigos for Kids and the Sundari Foundation, Inc. Lissette graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. At Gables High, some of her many accomplishments included: Senior Class President, Senior of Distinction, Silver Knight Honorable Mention, and Outstanding Senior of Distinction.

Ron Yacoub '92 is the Founder of Pinecrest Physical Therapy, and his passion to help his patients return to an active lifestyle spurred him to expand the company to locations throughout South Florida and now in the Dominican Republic. Ron regularly and generously supports Gables High and Gables High athletes. Ron obtained his Masters in Physical Therapy and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Miami. He was a Gables High Senior of Distinction and student athlete on the JV and Varsity football teams.

Jim Simpson is a Former Gables High Head Coach JV Football Coach and Assistant Coach Varsity. Coach Simpson is the beloved former Gables High Activities Director from 1962-1995, and inspired both athletes and other student leaders alike through his devotion to what Gables High stands for: great academics, leadership, and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, Coach Simpson was not able to attend due to a recent fall.
Did you know that your unwanted vehicle could light up the holidays? The Coral Gables Community Foundation Vehicle Donation Program accepts cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles and even boats as an alternative form of giving. We'll use the proceeds raised from your donation to support our grant and scholarship programs.

We handle all the heavy lifting so that you can focus on spending time with your loved ones this holidays season. It's easy!

You will be provided with the proper paperwork and tax receipts for your donation. Simply call or email us to get started! 305-446-9670 or email Mary@gablesfoundation.org
Wine Auction benefitting The Foundation
Thank you  to Presenting Sponsor Evensky & Katz/Foldes Financial & Host Committee
Support your Community Foundation by shopping on Amazon Smile this Holiday Season!
Support your Community Foundation by shopping on Amazon Smile! When you shop on Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Support us every time you shop!
 
The Coral Gables Community Foundation established the Merrick Society so that visionary people can continue George Merrick's dream. The Merrick Society preserves key philanthropic activities in the Gables and raises unrestricted funds for the Foundation.

This exclusive group commits to a three-year annual contribution of $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000. To find out more, please contact our Executive Director, Mary Snow at 305.446.9670 or via email mary@gablesfoundation.org
T 305.446.9670
F 305.446.3773
220 Alhambra Circle, Suite 320
Coral Gables, FL 33134
The Coral Gables Community Foundation is a nonprofit §501(c)(3) organization, the mission of the Coral Gables Community Foundation is to foster programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for people living and working in “The City Beautiful” Coral Gables.