Illuminations Gala Benefiting Chapman Partnership


Gene & Lani Drody, Trish & Dan Bell, Gala Co-Chairs
More than 800 guests joined Chapman Partnership to celebrate its yearly accomplishments at this year’s annual Illuminations Gala. The evening of dining, dancing and entertainment works to raise funds to provide support of the men, women and children that reside at the two homeless assistance centers run by the non-profit and recognize and honor the many generous donors and volunteers who support the mission. The evening’s theme represented the shining light in the lives of the 5,000 men, women and families with children that Chapman Partnership serves annually. Illuminated acrylic dinner tables set the brilliant color palette for the evening as guests danced the night away on a twinkling illuminated dance floor, a vision brought to life by WOW Factor Marketing. Held at the JW Marriott Marquis, the event provided guests with an avant-garde, exciting and breathtaking experience.
During the event, Chapman Partnership awarded the Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Humanitarian Award, given to a leader who follows the moral and civic examples of Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. in serving the homeless. This year the award went to Mrs. Sash A. Spencer who has demonstrated great humanitarian initiative and compassion for her fellow man.

H. Daniel Vincent, Laurie Jennings, Trish & Dan Bell
“This Illuminations Gala is essential for our organization and our residents” said H. Daniel Vincent, president and CEO of Chapman Partnership. “We want to show our appreciation for our 57 member Gala Committee, led by event Co-Chairs, Trish and Dan Bell, and Lani and Gene Drody. This could not be done without the dedication and love exhibited by our committee and our volunteers and donors. They are indeed true champions for our community. Daily, they are changing our resident’s lives.”
The event was followed by Chapman Partnership’s nextgen After Gala Party, which was presented by Chapman Partnership’s young professionals group.
The party featured special entertainment with a one of a kind performance from Batucada Brazilian dancers and Tony Choy, an open bar and free valet. nextgen is made up of Miami’s young professionals and community ambassadors, between the ages of 25-40, who work to increase awareness, revenue and advocacy for Chapman Partnership.
Betty Chapman, Mary Spencer, Trish Bell, Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, Chairman of the Board, and H. Daniel Vincent
Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, Dan & Trish Bell, Gene & Lani Drody
Mary Spencer, Humanitarian Award Recipient
Homestead Air Reserve Base, 482d Fighter Wing, Base Honor Guard
Laurie Jennings, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, Mayor Carlos Gimenez
Chapman Partnership Board of Trustees
Laurie Jennings, Mistress of Ceremonies
Chapman Partnership Success Stories
Ed Joyce, Sherrill & Mary Ann Hudson, Alan Pekor, Roger Paz, Gabrielle Gonzalez, Ricardo Glas, Mari & Carlos Fernandez Guzman, Trish Bell, Betty Chapman, Dan Bell, Mary Spencer
Miami Children’s Chorus
Oz & Maralyn Howe, Peter & Kerrin Bermont, Lili & Bob Chisholm
Vicki Rueda, Jacky Donate, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Carlos Saballos, Jennifer Marques, Rebeka Ramos, Rebecca Interian
Tedd Trabert, Justin Trabert, Ghazal Yazdanparast, Patty Garcia, Carlos Garcia
Nicole & Daniel Horton
Barbara & William Reese
Sallie Mason, Rebecca McCarron, Loli Boehler-Arellano, Jenny Wackenhut, Katharine Rubino
Walter & Terri Shikany, Sharon Silver & Stephen Rose
Howard & Sara Lipman, Mary Ann & Sherrill Hudson
Tomas Erban, Dan Bell and Bill Banchs
Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Bronwyn Miller, Debora Schirripa
Gene & Elsie Howard, Barbara & Allan Pekor
Bonnie Crabtree, Evan & Cheryl Rees
Nicole Singletary, Andrew Trench, Lisa Abern
Fausto & Remedios Diaz Oliver, Lilliam & Gus Machado
James Diamond, Tony Hernandez, Amber Kornreich, Soo Jin Kang, Jordan Isidoff
John Gallo and Christine Lynn
Jose & Heidi Dans, Marile & Jorge Luis Lopez
Batucada Brazilian Dancers
Illuminations Performance
Tony Choy performs