It’s a Roarin’ Good Time at Kristi House’s 20-Year Celebration


Three hundred and twenty-five guests joined Kristi House and friends for the Roaring 20s Soiree – an event celebrating 20 years of healing the hearts of children who have been sexually abused. Presented by the law firm of Marin, Eljaiek & Lopez, the evening at the Four Seasons was a roaring good time where $300,000 was raised in net proceeds for child victims of sexual abuse.
This elegant evening treated guests to delicious cuisine, great wine and a luxury auction – with live orchestra music, dancing, cigars, entertainers, brandy and a festive photo booth to cap off the evening…a roaring good time! The event co-chairs were Maria Maloof and Kara Zeder, both board members of Kristi House. Republic National Distributing Company was the evening’s wine and spirits purveyor. “Puttin’ on the Ritz” sponsors included Eller-ITO Stevedoring Company and Eve & Wayne Rosen.
Guests enjoyed a scrumptious gourmet dinner specially created by Four Season’s Chef Aaron Brooks, with fine wine pairings from Republic National Distributing Company and spirits befitting the 1920s era. The excitement was high with an auction of exclusive trips, one-of-a-kind experiences, not-available-in-stores fine wines and select luxury items.

“Great Gatsby” sponsors included Allied Barton Security Services, Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz, Rachelle & AJ de Moya of The de Moya Group, Swanee & Paul DiMare, Foley & Lardner, Noelle & Christian Giannakopolous and Abby & Jeff Zanarini, Greenberg Traurig, Marta & Rick Hasty, MD, Liz Hogan & Steve Chastain, Andrea Lippman Loeb & David Loeb, Maria & Al Maloof, The Miller Saiontz Family, Carol & Al Novak, Karen & Louis Reiter, Elizabeth & Andrew Schaul, Ashley & Campbell Smith, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP, Judy & Juan Trescastro/Royal Caribbean Cruises, Kara Zeder & Rick Rosen and The Zeder Team
Funds raised at the Roaring 20s Soiree go toward providing services for sexually abused children and their families. Sadly, childhood sexual abuse is not limited by socio-economic status, race, religion or nationality; however most of the children and families Kristi House treats are low income and would have no other place to turn to for help. The Roaring 20s Soiree proceeds will help ensure that services remain free so that all child-victims get the help they need.

Since founding, Kristi House has provided services to more than 13,750 child sexual abuse victims, and has provided education and training to more than 100,000 adults, children and professionals. Kristi House serves as the State-designated Child Advocacy Center for all of Miami-Dade County, responsible for coordinating a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, Department of Children and Families, Guardian ad Litem and the Child Protection Team. The team of clinicians, case workers and educators at Kristi House make use of evidence-based treatment and best practices in all their work. Kristi House specialists enable children to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse and go on to lead happy, productive lives that are not forever marked by shame, secrecy, and trauma.
Roaring 20's Committee
Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz
DCF Regional Managing Director Bronwyn Stanford and Claudia Kitchens of Kristi House
Leslie Ann Brown, Paul & Swanee DiMare
Andrea Lippman Loeb (2nd from left, center row) and friends
Executive Director Claudia Kitchens with Jim & Berta Blecke
Anthony Sauce, Alexandra Plasencia, Nathan Zeder
Beatriz Gutierrez, Michelle Lex, Maria Gutierrez, Eve Rosen, Daisy Gonzalez, Bebe Hofmann and Rosie Reyes
Presenting Sponsor Santiago Eljaiek of the Marin Eljaiek & Lopez law firm,with wife Patricia
Founding Board Member Carol Novak with husband
Cigarette Girls
Dance South Florida dancers
Eli & Alina Valdez of Republic National Distributing Company
Jon & Judy Zeder with Lisa & John Chidsey
Elizabeth Schaul (left) and guests
Juan & Judy Trescastro
Kara Zeder and Rick Rosen
Wayne & Eve Rosen
Karen & Luis Reiter (far right) and family
Maria Maloof and Kara Zeder
Julee & Sergio Akselrad
Mayra Jolie and Priscilla Rettig
Mike & Margaret Eidson
Silvana Jacobsen, Sandy Bell and Hilda Bacardi
Sybil & John Barkett
Valentina Hubsch & friends