Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Raises $950,000 at Ignite Miami Gala
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, along with presenting partners Carnival Corporation & PLC and Carnival Foundation, and honorary gala co-chairs Bonnie Crabtree and Matt Gorson, hosted the nonprofit youth mentoring organization’s Ignite Miami gala on Saturday, March 2 at JW Marriott Marquis. Organizers successfully raised $950,000 as hundreds of Miami’s corporate and philanthropic elite joined community leaders, supporters and volunteers at the annual fundraiser for an evening of cocktails and a reception, followed by a gourmet dinner and dancing.
The gala was themed to highlight how the organization is “heating things up” through its various mentoring programs that ignite the potential of the city and its youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps at-risk youths through adult mentorship relationships and services to children in our community at the organization’s headquarters, Carnival Center for Excellence. Money raised supports matching volunteer mentors, known as “Bigs,” with children, or “Littles.” Each match costs $1,500.
Asha Elias and Tina van der Ven served as mentor co-chairs.
Gala sponsors included Empowering Potential Sponsors: Ben and Eilah Beavers, CareerSource South Florida, Bonnie Crabtree, Publix Super Market Charities, T-ROC Global/Brett Beveridge and Wells Fargo Private Bank. Inspiring Potential Sponsors: Greenberg Traurig/The Gorson Family, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Ryder System Charitable Foundation, Stearns Weaver Miller and WOW MKTG. Encouraging Potential Sponsors: ADP Foundation, Aon Risk Solutions, Bank OZK, Bayview Asset Management, BB&T, Cherry Bekaert, Coffey Burlington, Comcast, Cozen O’Connor, DOS Health Management, Jamie and Asha Elias, FedEx, The Five Millers Family Foundation, Gary Saslaw, P.A., Gelber, Schachter and Greenberg, P.A., Harbor Group, Hicks Family Fund, Hilton Bentley/Julie Grimes, Integrity Wealth Management of Raymond James, John Gordon, Cathy Jones, Kaufman Rossin, JW Marriott Marquis, Justin and Jennifer Kennedy, Kinga and Edward Lampert, Marion Moore Foundation, Bronwyn Miller, MMG Equity Partners/Gabe Navarro, NBC Universal, Northern Trust, Power Financial Credit Union, Rick and Kara Rosen, TUUCI, Alex and Tina van der Ven and Vohra Wound Physicians. Match Sponsor: The Hearth Insurance Group.
Special thanks to Bacardi, Spirit Underwriter; Roar Media, Marketing Underwriter; APPI – Associated Printing Productions Inc., Printing Underwriter; SAGLO, Dance Floor Underwriter.
