Foundation for New Education Initiatives hosted its eighth annual For the Love of Learning Gala at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. Over 450 of Miami’s most influential business and philanthropic leaders stepped up to the plate once again, raising over $600,000 dollars to help Miami’s neediest students transcend homelessness, attend college, bridge the technology gap, and attend cultural events.

At this year’s event, co-Chaired by Jose L. Dotres, Superintendent of Schools, and Ana VeigaMilton and Cecil Milton, the Foundation Board of Directors and the Gala Committee were recognized for their outstanding leadership.

WPLG Local 10 News Anchor, Louis Aguirre, welcomed and invited guests to join in paying tribute to the entire Miami-Dade County Public Schools Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Wayne E. and Arlene J. Chaplin, active philanthropists and Chief Executive Officers of SGWS, Xavier Cortada, artist and founder of the Cortada Foundation,  Markenzy Lapointe, the first Haitian American U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Cori Flam Meltzer, Principal Mediator of CFM Mediation, Carlos Ponce, award-winning actor, singer, songwriter, composer, and TV personality, and Octavio J. Visiedo, first Cuban American graduate to become M-DCPS Superintendent of Schools, all of whom have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in their chosen profession and have shown remarkable commitment to our community.

The event provided guests with an exciting evening which was produced by WOW MKTG. The evening included an incredible performance by Young Musicians Unite at Miami Beach Senior High, a dance performance by students from Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer 6–12, dinner, and dancing.

During the event, Superintendent Dotres highlighted the history and work of the foundation. He reported that the foundation was founded in 2008 through the vision of the School Board. The Foundation provides funding for critical, unfunded programs such as: paid summer internships for nearly 3,000 students every summer, cultural arts exposure for students in grades K thru 12, food, clothing and shelter for homeless and needy students and their families, funding for The Parent Academy, student access to technology by providing computers and enhanced labs, scholarships for students to pursue post-secondary education, and teacher Mini Grants.

This year, the gala was generously sponsored by Ana VeigaMilton and Cecil Milton, Dan Lewis and Valerie Dillon, Wayne and Arlene Chaplin, Trish and Dan Bell, Heide and Jose Dans, Leslie Miller, Dale Chapman Webb, The Knight Foundation, FIU Foundation, Miami Dade College, Amazon, EdFed, and many more. This year’s media sponsor was Miami Kids Magazine.