YMCA’s Beach Ball Gala 2024

Presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the spirit and revelry of New Orleans came to life during the YMCA of South Florida’s Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll) themed gala.

Royal Caribbean Group (Standing L-R): Ashley Blake, Jose Cresta, Antonio Romero, Parker Levine, Dr. Calvin Johnson, David VanDriel Seated L-R Melissa Jean-Baptiste, Ariella Berkowitz, Allison Green Johnson, Amy Mosasterios

The spirit and revelry of New Orleans came to life during the YMCA of South Florida’s Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll) themed Beach Ball Gala, presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Eighth Annual Beach Ball raised more than $750,000 for the Y’s water safety and drowning prevention programs. Over the years, these funds have provided swim lessons and water safety education to more than 175,000 children and families in the community. Formal swim lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88 percent.

David & Alyssa Lovitt, Marcela & Julio RamirezSusan Renneisen, Vice President Community Affairs & Special Events Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Bill Beckman
Matt Klien and Nataila Radzuik
Matt Klien and Nataila Radzuik

Guests were treated to a spectacular evening of live musical entertainment, dining, dancing, live and silent auctions and an electrifying performance by the Piper High School Marching Band, known as “The Band of Pride.” Piper High School is a participant in the YMCA of South Florida’s LEAP HIGH (Leadership, Enrichment and Academy Pursuits), and the band is one of the standout programs at the school.

Also during the Gala, POOLCORP, the leading global wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and outdoor living products, was recognized with the YMCA of South Florida’s Lifesaver Award, presented annually to a community member or organization that exemplifies the spirit of commitment to drowning prevention, providing significant support to the cause. Through a POOLCORP grant, the YMCA of South Florida is providing at least 1,200 children and teens in South Florida free swim lessons, in addition to the 25,000 that it already offers annually.

“POOLCORP’s commitment to water safety aligns with our mission of educating children of all backgrounds about the importance of water safety and providing swim lessons to our communities,” said Sheryl A. Woods, President and CEO of the YMCA of South Florida. “Drowning affects everyone, across all ages, all races and all income levels. We’re all at risk.”

Roly Marante, Mark Guthrie, Kara Marante, Dawn Javersack, DeAnn Hazey, Jim Javersack
Derick Jaindl, Wendy Liebowitz, Jester, Monica Jordan, Vincent Hubis

The leading community organization in water safety and drowning prevention education, the YMCA of South Florida teaches private and group lessons at the Y’s Family Center pools; offers instruction in community pools through the Y Mobile Aquatics program; collaborates with community partners on public service announcements and poolside signage; and provides free swim lessons during the annual Swim with Jenny in March.

The Eighth Annual Beach Ball was co-chaired by Jennifer McCafferty-Fernandez, Martii Salizar and Derek Koger, who also served as Grand Marshall.

“We cannot do what we do without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, host committee and all who attended the Gala,” Woods said. “Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation in drownings across all age groups, but together we can make water safe for everyone.”

Kara Marante, Jennifer McCafferty-Fernandez, Kari Button
Aimee Fretwell and Susan Renneisen
Aimee Fretwell and Susan Renneisen
Sheryl Woods, President & CEO of YMCA of South Florida and Marilyn Pascual, Co-President of Related Group and YMCA of South Florida's Board Chair
Sheryl Woods, President & CEO of YMCA of South Florida and Marilyn Pascual, Co-President of Related Group and YMCA of South Florida's Board Chair
Jacques Orces, Chief Medical Information Officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Presenting Sponsor

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Titanium Sponsor

Brown & Brown Insurance Miami-Dade

Host Sponsor

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Diamond Sponsors

Bacardi USA
Publix Super Markets Charities
Related
Seminole Media Productions
Spirit

Platinum Sponsors

Miami Herald
El Nuevo Herald
Milner Inc.

Sylas Kern, Megan Riley, Abdol Moabery, John and Carey Bendoraitis, COO Spirit Airlines & YMCA Board Member, Lidia and Mike Appleton, Cathy Moabery
Conrad Coke, Marilyn & Ron Caraballo and Arlene Coke
Caroline Waddington, Lan Nguyen, Kendra Philips, Caty Grzymajlo
Piper High School Marching Band