Red Jacket Ball: Dare to Dream
Benefits City Year Miami
City Year Miami’s Red Jacket Ball: Dare to Dream brought together 350 of Miami’s most influential corporate, political, and community leaders for an evening of high energy, inspiration, and fun – reinforcing the symbolism of the Red Jacket, and the 185 corps members who wear it every day this year during their year of service in Miami. The Red Jacket Ball is City Year Miami’s largest fundraising event of the year, and this year announced City Year’s plans for scale in this community, and celebrated the achievements of those who have Dared to Dream towards fulfilling Miami’s potential.
Set on a beautiful evening downtown at Miami Circle Park, and produced by the Viceroy Hotel Miami, the event honored Dr. Joe Greer, Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Humanities, Health, and Society of Florida International University for his work throughout his career to bring quality health care to those in need. Alongside Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Executive Director of City Year Miami Saif Ishoof awarded City Miami Board Chair Brad Meltzer and his wife Cori with City Year’s Lifetime of Idealism award for their leadership in bringing City Year to Miami 5 years ago. Perhaps the most impactful moment of the evening came via the testimonies of City Year Miami corps member Dina Lewis and her student at Booker T Washington. Their collective story of impact, and the strong personal bond built since the beginning of the school year, left many with tears of hope and promise streaming down their eyes. Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President Mark Trowbridge ended the program with humor and charm while inviting the audience to support City Year’s efforts to grow towards scale. Following the programming of the event, the energy and talent of Jerry Wayne’s Private Party Band got everyone on their feet rivaling the celebrations of the neighboring Ultra Festival, and Brickell’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Business leader and City Year Miami Board chair-elect Tere Blanca had this to say, “The energy, passion and commitment of City Year’s leadership, staff and corps members to help transform the lives of at risk students is remarkable.”
The Red Jacket Ball is City Year Miami’s largest fundraising event of the year, with 80% of event revenue going directly to the organization’s programs. Corps members serve full-time in schools, providing academic support, mentoring, and after-school programming to students. They also lead various community-based service initiatives throughout the year. Currently, the corps includes 185 members serving in 15 schools across Miami-Dade County; plans are underway to expand to 200 corps members for the 2013 academic year.
The Red Jacket Ball engaged many sponsors, without whom the event would not be possible.
Gold Sponsors included Comcast, Univision, and Walmart.
Silver Sponsors included Akerman Senterfitt, Beasley Broadcasting Group, Inc., Becker & Poliakoff, Brad and Cori Meltzer Charitable Trust, City National Bank, CSX Transportation, The Lovett-Woodsum Family Foundation, and Publix.
Bronze Sponsors included Bank of America, Bank United, Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Coastal Construction Group, Deloitte, ExpoCredit, First Student Inc., Florida International University, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Macy’s, The Miami Dolphins Foundation, The Miami Marlins, Odebrecht Construction, Pasha’s, the Cornish Family, T&G Constructors, and Wells Fargo.
