Miami Lighthouse Celebrates 85th Anniversary
At the Historic Biltmore Hotel


Three hundred of Miami’s leading philanthropists and elected officials spent an extraordinary evening, enjoying cocktails provided by Bacardi and wine by El Carajo. Presenting sponsor for the evening was Northern Trust. The co-chairs of the celebration, Mr. and Mrs. Ramón Casas and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nostro, were announced this past March at the Northern Trust pre-gala event. Entertainment was provided by Miami Lighthouse’s nationally-recognized student and instructor musicians and vocalists.
The evening, commemorating Miami Lighthouse’s 85th year, highlighted the organization’s beginning in 1931 during an era when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “knights for the blind in the crusade against darkness.” In recognition of that important moment, CEO Virginia Jacko referred to an original letter from Helen Keller pertaining to a garden party that Keller had attended. Ms. Jacko explained that funds were raised in those early years by holding garden parties where prominent Miamians would attend such as Mrs. Charles Brickell, Mrs. Freeman Burdine, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, Mrs. Charles Deering, Mrs. Harvey Firestone and Mrs. Hugh Matheson. The legacy of those formative years continues today, noted CEO Jacko, recognizing those in attendance as truly “knights for the blind.”

The silent auction committee was chaired by Jacquelyn Munilla. Corporate sponsors included Florida Power & Light, Florida Blue, Marlins Foundation, Comcast, Perry Ellis International, Gus Machado Ford, Walgreens, The Miami Herald and others. Laurie Jennings, WPLG-TV co-anchor, served as Mistress of Ceremonies; the keynote speaker was Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
To learn more about Miami Lighthouse, their services & programs, upcoming events and more, visit www.miamilighthouse.org/.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, CEO Virginia Jacko and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman
Ana Cristina Regalado, Raquel Regalado, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, CEO Virginia Jacko and City of Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo
City of Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo, CEO Virginia Jacko and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Lisa Pisciotta and Michael Silva
Gus & Lilliam Machado, CEO Virginia Jacko, and Board Director George Foyo
Bill Roy, Susan Kelley, Board Director Angela Whitman and Dr. Harry Flynn
Juan & Ophelia Roca
Eugenia McCrea, Randee Rogers, Patti Galea, Allison Petrat and Shelley Rutherford
Board Chair Louis Nostro & Janet Nostro and Julia & Bill Beckham
Dan Bell, CEO Virginia Jacko, Mistress of Ceremonies Laurie Jennings
Annabel & Dr. Joseph Selem and Laura Jean & Dr. Edward Gelber
Sheila Freed & Board Director Owen Freed, Nicolas Pisaris and Pam Garrison
Angelina & Lion Greg Werra
Litto Gomez, Christian de la Fe, Melody Le, Ana Maria & Ernesto de la Fe
Mohamed Iskandarani, René Gonzalez-Llorens & Migna Sanchez-Llorens and Barbara Alonso
Jennifer & W. Kinzy Jones, Jr. and Board Director Kent & Erika Benedict
Ana M. & Arturo Hernandez
Bill & Julia Beckham, Mariana & Otto Foerster, Allison Luttermoser and YPOL Co-Chair Will Beckham
Staci Solomon & Board Director Steven Solomon
Board Director Dr. Alan Levitt & Andrea Levitt
Board Director Dr. Sander Dubovy & Sarah Dubovy
Board Director Scott Richey & Karla Richey
Rick Sisser, Marsha Madorsky, Leslie Lorenzi and Cameron Sisser
Steven & Ruth Marcus
David & Irene White
François Sainfort and Julie Jacko
Lindsay Davis, YPOL Co-Chair Pablo Gonzalez, Martha Lluch, Chris & Lee Lentz
Jackie & Brad Matthews