SocialMiami - Under the Cherry Blossom Sky: A Night at the Imperial Palace

Under the Cherry Blossom Sky: A Night at the Imperial Palace

In the spirit of this year's theme, “Under the Cherry Blossom Sky,” more than 400 of Miami's philanthropic, social, civic and business influencers donned kimonos in a Japanese cultural fete.

by Gala Guide Admin in Draft, Gala Guide, Photo Galleries, SocialEyes

_05-Lisa-and-Victor-Mendelson-receive-the-Education-Award-presented-by-David-Armstrong-of-St.-Thomas-University,-joined-by-Dr.-Sadia-Raja-Alfonso,-President-Mary-Snow,-Gala-co-chair-Sissy-DeMaria-Koehne — Lisa and Victor Mendelson receive the Education Award presented by David Armstrong of St. Thomas University, joined by Dr. Sadia Raja Alfonso, President Mary Snow, Gala-co-chair Sissy DeMaria-Koehne

The Coral Gables Community Foundation and seven distinguished local honorees were celebrated at the 2023 Coral Gables Gala to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation. The Foundation’s community grant and scholarship programs will benefit from the event’s record attendance, sponsorships and auction sales.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Under the Cherry Blossom Sky,” more than 400 of Miami’s philanthropic, social, civic and business influencers donned kimonos in a Japanese cultural fete.

The Loews Coral Gables Hotel served as the sublime backdrop to an evening of shimmering silk kimonos as patrons were transported to ancient Kyoto, while celebrating the Community Foundation’s accomplishments over 32 years.

Honoring distinguished community leaders, the event was Co-Chaired by the City Beautiful’s very own Sissy De Maria-Koehne and Co-Chair Dr. Sadia Raja Alfonso.

“Our friends and neighbors absolutely had a blast at this Gala! We’ve led our guests around the world to Brazil, Shanghai, India and Spain. The personal and abundant assistance we got from the Consul-General of Japan was a real boost, and it augmented everything from the menu to the entertainment and decor,” said Gala Co-chair Sissy DeMaria-Koehne. “The community really came out with beautiful and authentic kimono costumes we’ll never forget.”

_04-Conchi-and-Tony-Argiz-honored-with-the-Philanthropy-Award-presented-by-MDC-Foundation-President-Nelson-Hincapie,-with-Sissy-DeMaria-Koehne,-Dr-Sadia-Raja-Alfonso-and-President-Mary-Snow — Conchi and Tony Argiz honored with the Philanthropy Award presented by MDC Foundation President Nelson Hincapie, with Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, Dr Sadia Raja Alfonso and President Mary Snow

The Evening’s Honorees

Tracy Wilson Mourning, recognized with the Community Award presented by the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
Lisa and Victor Mendelson, receiving the Education Award presented by St. Thomas University
Judy and Jon Zeder, accepting the Sports & Wellness Award presented by Doctors Hospital & Baptist Health Orthopedic Care
Adrienne Arsht, honored with the Arts & Culture Award presented by Trish and Dan Bell
Conchi & Tony Argiz, receiving the Philanthropy Award, presented by Miami Dade College Foundation
Silvia Tcherassi, presented with the Gables Beautiful Award presented by Ray Corral and Alina Meledina
UM Lowe Art Museum, receiving the Landmark Award presented by MG Developer and The Village at Coral Gables

Johann Zietsman, Arsht Center President, received the Arts & Culture Award on behalf of Adrienne Arsht from Trish and Dan Bell. They are joined by Mary Snow, Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Dr Sadia Raja Alfonso

_07-Silvia-Tcherassi-receives-the-Gables-Beautiful-Award-from-Ray-Corral-and-Alina-Meledina,-joined-by-President-Mary-Snow,-Dr.-Sadia-Raja-Alfonso-and-Gala-co-chair-Sissy-DeMaria-Koehne — Silvia Tcherassi receives the Gables Beautiful Award from Ray Corral and Alina Meledina, joined by President Mary Snow, Dr. Sadia Raja Alfonso and Gala-co-chair Sissy DeMaria-Koehne

Philanthropic Gala Chairs

Trish & Dan Bell

Legacy Sponsors

Doctors Hospital and Baptist Health Orthopedic Care
Ray Corral and Alina Meledina with Mosaicist
MG Developer and The Village at Coral Gables
Norma Jean Abraham and The Abraham Family Foundation

Patron Sponsors

Hindman Auctions & Appraisals
BDO
Alan Schriesheim & Kay Torshen
Bermont Gold Wealth Advisory of Raymond James
Coral Gables Trust and Jackson Health Urgent Care

Media Partners

Coral Gables Magazine
WLRN
Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald
Miami’s Community Newspapers

Gala Partners

The Consulate-General of Japan in Miami
Cultivate PR

_03-Philanthropic-Gala-Chairs-Trish-and-Dan-Bell — Philanthropic Gala Chairs Trish and Dan Bell

_08-Tracy-Wilson-Mourning-received-the-Community-Award-presented-by-Norma-Jean-Abraham,-joined-by-Mary-Snow,-Sissy-DeMaria-Koehne-and-Dr-Sadia-Raja-Alfonso — Community Award Honoree Tracy Wilson Mourning and her party are joined by Norma Jean Abraham of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

_09 — Judy and Jon Zeder received the Sports & Wellness Award presented by Lourdes Boue, representing Doctors Hospital and Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, joined by President Mary Snow, Dr. Sadia Raja Alfonso and Gala-co-chair Sissy DeMaria-Koehne

Dr. Jill Deupi accepted the Landmark Award on behalf of the UM Lowe Art Museum, presented by Dorys and Alirio Torrealba of MG Developer, joined by President Mary Snow, Dr. Sadia Raja Alfonso and Gala-co-chair Sissy DeMaria-Koehne

_11-Community-Award-Honoree-Tracy-Wilson-Mourning-and-her-party-is-joined-by-Norma-Jean-Abraham-of-the-Anthony-R.-Abraham-Foundation — Community Award Honoree Tracy Wilson Mourning and her party is joined by Norma Jean Abraham of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

_12-Sheldon-T.-Anderson,-Chairman-and-CEO-of-Grove-Bank-&-Trust;-Lourdes-Boue,-CEO-of-Doctors-Hospital-and-West-Kendall-Baptist-Hospital,-and-Erin-Dowd,-Director-of-Government-Relations-at-Baptist-Health — Sheldon T. Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Grove Bank & Trust; Lourdes Boue, CEO of Doctors Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital, and Erin Dowd, Director of Government Relations at Baptist Health

_13-Bradley-and-Ashlee-Rzyczycki,-with-Marile-and-Jorge-Luis-Lopez — Bradley and Ashlee Rzyczycki, with Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez

_14-Foundation-Board-Chair-Venny-Torre-with-Coco-Torre,-President-Mary-Snow-and-Board-Member-and-Scholarship-Committee-Chair-Matthew-Meehan — Foundation Board Chair Venny Torre with Coco Torre, President Mary Snow and Board Member and Scholarship Committee Chair Matthew Meehan

Foundation Board Member Eric Gros-Dubois with friends and colleagues including Deirdre Nero, Brian and Michelle Barakat, Benjamin Bedrava, Drew Berube, John Carrero, Kathrine Karimi, Madelyn Peterson and Selina Pirkau

_16-Dr.-Henri-Ford,-Dean-of-the-Miller-School-of-Medicine-at-UM,-and-wife-Donna-Ford — Dr. Henri Ford, Dean of the Miller School of Medicine at UM, and wife Donna Ford

_17-Board-Chair-Elect-Michael-Walsh-of-Evensky-Katz-Foldes-Financial-Advisors-and-Oriana-Corrales-of-Apple — Board Chair Elect Michael Walsh of Evensky/Katz Foldes Financial Advisors and Oriana Corrales of Apple

_18-Rene-McCarthy,-Kaiser-Ahmed,-Dr.-Guenther-Koehne-and-Sissy-DeMaria-Koehne — Rene McCarthy, Kaiser Ahmed, Dr. Guenther Koehne and Sissy DeMaria-Koehne

_19-Drs.-Sadia-Raja-Alfonso-and-Carlos-Alfonso-with-Honoree-Dr.-Jill-Deupi-and-husband-Prof.-Victor-Deupi- — Drs. Sadia Raja Alfonso and Carlos Alfonso with Honoree Dr. Jill Deupi and husband Prof. Victor Deupi

_20.-Jad-Majzoub;-Ericka-Witkowski;-Natasha-Lowell-and-Board-Chair-Emeritus-Jack-Lowell;-Chirine-and-Zach-Mneimneh — Jad Majzoub; Ericka Witkowski; Natasha Lowell and Board Chair Emeritus Jack Lowell; Chirine and Zach Mneimneh

_02-Fushu-Daiko-drumming-group-performed-on-traditional,-hand-carved-drums-from-Japan — Fushu Daiko drumming group performed on traditional, hand-carved drums from Japan

01-Thousands-of-cherry-blossoms-tower-over-chartreuse-silk-at-the-Loews-Coral-Gables-Hotel-crop — Thousands of cherry blossoms tower over chartreuse silk at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel

About Coral Gables Community Foundation

The Coral Gables Community Foundation, founded by community leaders in 1991, inspires impactful philanthropy through charitable funds and programs using local knowledge, expertise and trusted relationships. The Foundation, through its discretionary, donor-advised and scholarships funds, provides grants to local nonprofits, scholarships to deserving students and has supported issues within the Foundation’s focus areas: Education, Arts & Culture, Historic Preservation & the Environment, and Social & Health Services. Learn more at www.GablesFoundation.org.

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