A Night with the Stars!
Benefiting Children’s Resources
Philanthropic Honoree Lynn Girsh and Founder and CEO Peggy Armaly
Once a year, Miami’s finest philanthropists and supporters reach for the stars and spend an evening of entertainment in support of Children’s Resources. This year was no different. On Saturday, April 8th, the Four Seasons Hotel was rockin’ with live music, dance performances and the best cuisine in town. Over 300 guests supported CRF’s 39th year of efforts to raise funds for children with disabilities.
The evening honored Philanthropic Honoree Lynn Girsh along with Gala Grand Honorees Susan & Les Eisenberg for their unwavering commitment to the center and for their outstanding contributions to improve the lives of the children that attend the school. Also recognized were five outstanding gentlemen, Gala Honorees & Co-Chairmen, Joseph Armaly, Jerry Berger, Les Eisenberg, Dan Tasciotti & Tommy Trotter for their years of philanthropy, leadership and dedication to Children’s Resources and children with special needs. These gentlemen have been the pillars of our success and have been essential to our growth.
Emcee for the star-studded night and Chairman of the Board Dan Tasciotti thanked guests and foundations including Corporate Grand Sponsor Florida Blue, Carmax Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Miami, Woman’s Relief Association, Peacock Foundation, The Hermanowski Family Foundation and The Tweed Foundation for their steadfast support which has made Children’s Resource Educational Center a model program for children with developmental disabilities. President Stephen Armaly spoke about his year of Presidency and working to secure a new generation of support for the future. He welcomed incoming President Michael Diaz for the 40th Anniversary year.
Children’s Resources Executive Director, Gigi Del Valle praised and brought forward Founder and CEO Peggy Armaly for her unrelenting leadership and determination to create a safe home for children with special needs.
Guests were treated to dazzling performances from Fred Astaire to Lady Gaga by the volunteer singers and dancers from Montclair State University. They also enjoyed a delicious five-course dinner while being serenaded to the tunes of the Danny Beck Orchestra. The highlight of the evening was when the attendees took a glimpse into a day at CRF with the unveiling of their new and innovative school video. It was a memorable evening and a night where guests were truly the “STARS”!
Children’s Resources is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational and therapeutic programs and services for children ages eighteen months to fifth grade with developmental delays. To learn more visit www.crfcenter.org
Gala Honorees and Co-Chairmen: Tommy Trotter, Dan Tasciotti, Jerry Berger, Les Eisenberg and Joe Armaly
President Elect Mike Diaz of Diaz Reus, LLC and President Stephen Armaly
Peggy Armaly with Gala Grand Honorees & Diamond Founders Susan and Les Eisenberg
Corporate Grand Sponsor Florida Blue: Market President of South Florida Penny Shaffer, Platinum Founder Peggy Armaly and Senior Management of Public Affairs Martha de la Pena Rojas
Founders Jane Tasciotti with Chairman of the Board Dan Tasciotti
Nikki Brandt, Nelson Brandt and Grand Founder Betty Brandt
Ellie and Tommy Trotter
Founder Hildine Potashnick with Josephine Baker
Justin & Daniella Drexler, Grand Founders Carlos & Isabel Fontecilla, Sofia Fontecilla
Founders and Table Sponsors Pam and Dr. Lewis Michaels
Nick Studds, Founder Judy Wieselberg and Founder Maria Michaels
Buffalo Wild Wings owner Seth de Kanter and General Manager Corey Allen
Founders and Table Sponsor Bea and Paul Hicks
Founder Robert Sentz, Alisa Sentz and Sharon & Howard Srebnick
First National Bank of South Miami: Al & Maria Brito, Larry & Rebecca Castillo, Carlos & Mercy Prieto, Max & Aileen Vazquez, Claudia & Pedro Cancio, Cibele Lima & Stephen Armaly, Renee & John Reichling
Elliott Harris, Diamond Founder Lynn Girsh, Charles Sacher and Platinum Founder Joe Armaly
Founder Stephen Armaly
Table Sponsor, Buffalo Wild Wings
Ali Diaz, Danielle Diaz, Mike Diaz, Jr. and Marta Colomar
Anastasia The Great with Founder Claudine Smurfit
Morton & Rona Okin, Susan & Les Eisenberg and Elaine Bloom
Veronica and Roberto Lizama
Kiwanis Club of Miami: President Chuck Little, Past President Nancy Little, Treasurer Valerie Dacks, Secretary George Lucas, President-Elect Carole Johnson and Past President & Director Bruce Ross
Carmax Foundation: Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Alarcon, Mr. & Mrs. Emir Ali and Mr. & Mrs. Alex Malcolm
Claudia and Robert Cooke
CRF Administrative Staff: Administrative Assistant Janelle Bedoya, Clinical Director Dr. Erika Berger, Development Director Amy Gonzalez, Executive Director Gigi DelValle and Accountant Luisa Suarez
Founders Allison & Stephen Blumenthal
Scott Srebnick and Jessica Goldman Srebnick
Volunteer dancers from Montclair State New Jersey