UM-NSU CARD’s 2015 Tropical Nights Gala

The University of Miami – Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) hosted its 13th annual Tropical Nights gala at the InterContinental Miami and raised over $300,000. More than 500 guests joined event co-chairs Brett and Jenn Feinstein, to celebrate CARD’s excellence in serving South Florida’s autism community. Tropical Nights honored Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, with the CARD Community Leadership Award, and Raquel Regalado, Miami-Dade County Public School Board Member, received the Cruz-Whitehurst Advocacy Award. Highlighting the unique role of siblings in the lives of individuals with autism, the evening featured remarks by Waleed Mneimneh, a sibling whose autism club, Ace for Autism, has raised over $95,000 for CARD over the past four years, and a powerful video depicting the special relationships of several CARD clients and their siblings. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception followed by a night of fine dining, live and silent auctions, dancing to the sounds of Michael Marino (aka DJ 1 Tre), a performance by Reid Soria from Autism Sings, and a raffle for an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas. The Tropical Nights artist was 11 year-old Bruno Page, the youngest Tropical Nights artist. Proceeds from this event directly benefit children and adults with autism and help promote awareness and acceptance of the autism community in South Florida. For more information about this event visit www.cardtropicalnights.org or contact Michelle Costa at 305-284-5269. For more information on CARD, please call 1-800-9-AUTISM (x1) or visit www.umcard.org.