Kristi House Celebration of Light Gala

A record $820,000 raised for Kristi House children

Rick & Kara Rosen

Three hundred guests celebrated healing child trauma at Kristi House’s Celebration of Light Gala on February 2nd at Miami’s Four Seasons. Presented by the law firm of Marin, Eljaiek, Lopez & Martinez, P.L. with major support from I Squared Capital, the evening celebrated the light that has been shed on the dark topic of child abuse and sex trafficking.

Guests heralded the growing awareness of sexual abuse and assault, and demonstrated their continued support for the safe haven that Kristi House has been for children since 1995.

With the momentum set by a generous $200,000 Challenge Grant made by Juliana and Alex Krys, guests were inspired to raise a record $820,000 for Kristi House. Funds raised will go toward the emotional, physical and legal advocacy needs for children and their families overcoming childhood abuse trauma.

Four Season’s Chef Aaron Brooks created a scrumptious gourmet dinner with fine wines and spirits generously provided by Republic National Distributing Company.

Lead sponsors of the Celebration of Light Gala were The de Moya Foundation, Kara & Rick Rosen, Maria & Al Maloof, Phantom Rescue, PowerPlus Tutoring and Judy and Jon Zeder.

Host Committee sponsors included Julee & Sergio Akselrad, Fran & Howard Feinberg, Marta & Rick Hasty MD, Juliana & Alex Krys and Lizzie & Drew Schaul.

Table sponsors included Akerman, Brown Label, Glide Capital, Chair Audrey Edmonson of Miami-Dade County Commission, Greenberg Traurig, Barbara & Alex Havenick, Vicky & Bert Hucks, Lisa & Robert Katzman, Jennifer Love, MassMutual, Mast Capital, Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables and Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation, Loryn & Nader Panahpour, Karen & Luis Reiter, Jennifer & Mark Rockwood, Tina & Alex van der Ven MD and Wansley & Cliff Walters.

Funds raised at the Gala will ensure that Kristi House services remain 100% free to families so that child-victims of all types of trauma get the help they need. Join us for the Breaking the Silence Luncheon on May 8, 2019, to bring yet more light and hope for our most vulnerable children: www.KristiHouse.org/BTS.