Framed by Leigh Pollack
The Miami fashion expert captures the most stylish, cultured and philanthropic people in town.
Sips & Cigars: A Night of Flavor, Fellowship, and Philanthropy Benefiting the Crockett Foundation
South Florida community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters gathered at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino for Sips & Cigars, an unforgettable night of craft cocktails and fine whiskey, hand-rolled cigars, and live music to benefit the Crockett Foundation. Founded by former NFL players and brothers Zack and Henri Crockett in 2002, The Crockett Foundation focuses on educational support, character development, and social-emotional growth for Broward County middle schoolers through after school and summer programs.
Live music by jazz saxophonist Jon Saxx entertained guests during the VIP hors d’oeuvres reception. Once inside the Terrace Ballroom, live band Derek Mack kept the vibe soulful but upbeat while guests sipped craft cocktails, wine, and whiskey, dined on ropa vieja and gourmet sliders, and bid on silent auction items, including Florida Panthers box seats, several tropical vacation packages, and a golf vacation to the legendary St. Andrews Course in Scotland. Local 10 news anchor Calvin Hughes MCed “Giving from the Heart”, a live fundraising effort to help fund the Crockett Foundation’s community programs.
Zack Crockett and Henri Crockett and their families mingled with guests, shared stories, and expressed their gratitude for the community’s support. “The money that we raise tonight will be used to get these kids outside of their small radius to be exposed to different opportunities,” Henri Crockett said. “We encourage these kids to dream big. But how can they dream big if they haven’t seen anything big?”
Crockett Foundation Board Member and Greenberg Traurig Shareholder Michele Stocker illustrated Crockett’s point — The Crockett Foundation recently brought a group of middle schoolers to visit the Greenberg Traurig office in Fort Lauderdale to learn about different careers in law.
“We level the playing field for these kids so that they can compete at any level — not just in sports,” Henri Crockett said. “It’s too easy to all of a sudden be a decade behind your peers if you get off to the wrong start and don’t have people supporting you. So we provide that support. That’s what the money we raise goes towards. Helping all our local kids have the same opportunities as their peers.”
Guests included: President of Barry University Mike Allen, COO of the Crockett Foundation Dr. Matias Arellano and Madelyn Arellano, Greenberg Traurig shareholder Michele Stocker, Broward County Clerk of Courts Brenda Forman, and Calvin Hughes from Local 10 news.
Neha Dani x Baptist Health Foundation Neuroscience Institute
Neha Dani, gemologist and high jewelry designer, fabricator, and engineer, showcased her newest fine jewelry collection, Haute Contemporary, in a private residence on Key Biscayne. Benefiting the Baptist Health Foundation Neuroscience Institute, the evening blended philanthropy and luxury, science and design.
Kiki Barth of Real Housewives of Miami fame glowed in a flowing ASOS grecian-style dress. Her bag was also by ASOS. Ms. Barth wore custom Neha Dani jewels — a bold diamond brooch worn on a satin ribbon as a choker and dangling diamond and gemstone earrings. True statement pieces!
Also in attendance were Susan Joch (in Sylvia Tcherassi) and Fernando Ferre, Ana and Alberto Gavazzi, George Foyo, Lourdes Jofre Collett and Tim Collett, Dr. Michael McDermott, CMO of the Baptist Health Foundation Neuroscience Institute, and the jeweler Neha Dani.
“Lots of planning, trial and error, back and forth,” explains Dani when asked how she crafts featherweight jewels with heavyweight impact.
Neha Dani pieces are one of a kind (quite literally – each piece is wholly unique), whimsical, comfortable, elegant, and, of course, expensive. Ms. Barth’s jewels, for example, are worth more than $500,000.
Junior Opera Guild’s DESIGNER VAULT
Young Patronesses of the Opera and the Junior Opera Guild recently presented the inaugural Designer Vault, a fundraising event benefiting Junior Opera Guild activities and helping to fund YPO’s biannual voice competition, which historically has discovered future opera stars such as soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor Michael Fabiano.
In lieu of JOG’s annual garage sale, Designer Vault infused fun and style into JOG’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Designer Vault was held at Second Showing in Pinecrest, a resale store in Suniland Shopping Plaza owned by YPO member Joanna Barusch. YPO members and community members sipped Prosecco, schmoozed, and shopped for gently loved high-end and designer items — examples include a Gucci purse, a Chanel wallet, Prada sandals, evening gowns, and fine china — mostly donated by YPO and JOG members, for the cause.
Day-of sales, along with proceeds from a charity drawing with a grand prize of a brand new YSL Small Kate Chain Bag valued at $2500, generously donated by ElyseWalker.com, along with a portion of Second Showing’s proceeds from their entire week of sales, generously donated by Joanna Barusch, helped JOG smash fundraising expectations. Look for round 2 of this fun community event in 2026!
Leigh Allison Pollack is a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant, a fashion and lifestyle writer, a poet, a lyricist, and a singer/songwriter based in Coconut Grove. Leigh is a graduate of Ransom Everglades School and University of Miami, and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in Poetry at San Diego State University. Find her on instagram @Leighapollack.
