Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club’s 35th Biscayne Bay Gala
Lauren Book of Lauren’s Kids Named 2014 Citizen of the Year
Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids—an organization dedicated to preventing childhood sexual abuse–recently accepted the 2014 Michael Shores Citizen of the Year Award from the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club at its highly successful 35th Annual Biscayne Bay Gala. The event, held at the Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom, attracted more than 300 people and raised more than $100,000 for the club’s many philanthropic activities.
Past recipients of this award include Dolphins Founder Joe Robbie, Coach Jimmy Johnson, Broadcaster Ralph Renick, Miami Commissioner Athalie Range, U.S. Rep. William “Bill” Lehman, former Miami Herald Publisher David Lawrence, Jr., Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, Richard Baron, Joseph Klock, Jr., Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman Rodney Barreto, former Miami Dolphin Nat Moore and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Dr. Pedro Greer, Jr., U.S. Rep. Dante B. Fascell, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
“It was a pleasure for us to honor Lauren this year,” said Biscayne Bay Kiwanis President Todd Paton of Paton Marketing. “Lauren Book has done so much for the youth of South Florida, the state and the nation in her efforts to raise awareness of—and prevent—childhood sexual abuse that we wanted to recognize her and her tireless efforts.”
The award is named for Michael Shores, who as a philanthropically minded attorney, made numerous contributions to the Miami-Dade County community throughout his life.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club and join such a distinctive list of recipients,” said Book. “This is a great organization which serves the most deserving children of Miami’s inner city and has–for more than 60 years—positively impacted the lives of thousands of those children and their families.”
The law firm of Diaz Reus was a Diamond Sponsor of the event. Gold sponsors included; The South Florida Luxury Guide; Baron, Breslin & Sarmiento P.A.; Lowry & Cook P.A.; and the law offices of Robertson, Anschutz & Schneid.
For more information on the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club—including joining as an individual or corporation—contact Paton at (305) 814-2225 or www.biscaynebaykiwanis.org.
