It was simply epic! Taking cues from Mykonos, Athens and Crete, friends of the Coral Gables Community Foundation broke records on Saturday October 23rd, dressed in an array of Greek Inspired costumes, as they dined in splendor throughout the City Beautiful. There were togas, gods and goddesses, warriors and plenty of Assyrtiko wine and Ouzo! More than 400 guests, including 120 who dined at Sea Grill in Merrick Park, helped the organization raise $400,000 in support of the Foundation’s pivotal outreach.

Celebrating the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s 30th Anniversary and honoring eight community leaders, the event was co-chaired by the City Beautiful’s very own Greek goddesses, Sissy De Maria-Koehne who has chaired the annual affair for more than seven years and co-chair Lauren Harrison Brown.

The evening’s distinguished honorees included: Brian Keeley for the Legacy Award presented by Trish & Dan Bell, Nancy Hector for the Philanthropy Award, Lee Schrager for the Arts & Culture Award presented by Ray Corral & Mosaicist, Jim & Deborah Davidson for the Community Award, The Mas Family for the Education Award presented by Greenberg Traurig, Tracy Kerdyk for the Sports & Wellness Award presented by Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, the Landmark Award to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty and the Coral Gables Garden Club for the Gables Beautiful Award.

“This was no doubt one of the most spectacular galas we have ever had. We’ve been to Venice, to Shanghai, to India and to Spain but A Gables Odyssey may have topped it all. It was tremendously fulfilling as co-chair to see our theme played out so enthusiastically in homes across South Florida, with each guest interpreting the theme both in their tablescapes and attire. We are grateful to our guests for their support and are humbled by the work of the pillars we saluted in our community that evening and for the generosity of our sponsors,” said DeMaria-Koehne.

Guests enjoyed an epically curated silent auction including two stays in Greece at the Angsana Corfu resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a stay at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel, an al fresco pizza dinner for 12 at the Coral Gables home of honoree Lee Schrager, a stay in the Everglades Suite at the Biltmore Hotel and a weekend Stay in the Rosemary Cottage at Fisher Island Club.

This year’s events wouldn’t have reached Mount Olympus-level if it weren’t for the herculean sponsors of A Gables Odyssey. Presenting sponsor: Trish & Dan Bell; Matching Gift Sponsor: Jim & Deborah Davidson and Coral Gables Trust; Platinum Sponsors: Ray Corral & Mosaicist, Baptist Health and Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, The Mas Family and Norma Jean Abraham and the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation; Gold Sponsors: Greenberg Traurig, Cultivate PR, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, Nancy Hector and Bacardi; Exclusive Automotive Partner: Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables; Acropolis Sponsors: FPL, The Kahn Family and Lowell International Realty and Belmont Village Senior Living; Mythology Sponsors: PNC Bank and Coastal Construction and Media Partner: Coral Gables Magazine.

About The Coral Gables Community Foundation
A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for 30 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.” Established in September 1991 by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, through its discretionary, donor-advised, and scholarship funds has helped youth, elderly, and disabled, and has provided dental care for needy children, sponsored cultural activities, awarded academic, dance, and music scholarships, and offered seminars to educate the public on important health, finance, and estate-planning issues, awarding more than $9 million to worthy causes. www.gablesfoundation.org