Miami Children’s Museum’s 2013 Be A Kid Again Gala
Raises nearly one million dollars for educational programming!
Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) transported more than 600 attendees to a Blues Brothers inspired evening at the 2013 Be A Kid Again Gala, “We’re on a Mission”. Nearly one million dollars were raised in support of educational programming with the help of generous donors, sponsors, an extensive silent auction and a high end live auction hosted by Big 105.9 FM Morning Host Paul Castronovo and Pulitzer Prize winning author and humorist Dave Barry.
The event was chaired by Mike and Chris Weinberg. The night’s major sponsors included: Premier Sponsors Alan Potamkin and Brigitt Rok and the Fairholme Foundation; Presenting Sponsors were MCM Chairman of the Board Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, Coastal Construction Group and the Miami Marlins/David Samson.
Among the 600 attendees were Amanda and Matthew Adler, Lisa Schejola Akin and Jeff Akin, Michele Berlowitz, Deputy Mayor Russell Benford, Sandy Grossman and Richard Berkowitz, Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz, Robin and Pat Bosco, Maureen Bruckmayr of Art Basel, Past President of MCM Richard Cahlin, Marianne and John Devine, Robin and The Honorable Manny Diaz, Cyndi and Jorge Gonzalez, Ken Gorin, President of The Collection, Deborah and Chris Hodgkins ,Donald Jones,Alan Kluger, Rahul Kothari, Jack Lowell, Pam and Peter Luria, Jackie and Adam Malamed, Alfredo Mesa of the Marlins Foundation, Kelly and Captain Jonathan Nitkin of Bay Harbor Pilots, Lily Pardo with WSVN, Leslie and Wayne Pathman, Gloria Porcella, Norma Quintero, Stefanie and Evan Reed, Katherine Rubino of Neiman Marcus, Leslye and Barry Rush, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Javier Soto President of the Miami Foundation , Mijanou and Craig Spurdle, Kim Stone and Karla Jones-Stone, Beth and Richard Tasca, Janet Moreira Gamble of Stearns Weaver, Chris and Mike Weinberg.
Guests enjoyed Blues Brothers themed culinary delights by Chef David Schwadron and danced the night away to a dazzling multi-media performance by the famed Jake and Elwood Blues Revue, the complete Blues Brothers™ tribute band.
One of the night’s highlights was the exciting live auction emceed by the “mad men” of the evening, Dave Barry and Paul Castronovo which included a custom portrait by Romero Britto, a Porsche Boxster lease from the Collection, limited edition Girard-Perregaux iconic FOReverglades luxury timepiece, Yacht charter to Bimini, Miami Heat playoff tickets and a $45,000 Tahitian Pearl Necklace. In addition to the live auction, guests supported educational programming by bidding on over 200 items in an extensive silent auction.
Miami Children’s Museum offers bilingual and interactive exhibits; programs and classes and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. MCM has 14 interactive galleries and houses many exciting and fun traveling exhibits.
Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Through arts and educational programs, MCM seeks to include and target all audiences in Miami’s changing and diverse community by becoming the “town center” for Miami-Dade County’s children and families. The Miami Children’s Museum is the recipient of the Bank of America’s Distinguished Education Award presented by the Beacon Council.
For more information about Miami Children’s Museum call: (305)373-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
