Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade to Present Awards to Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq.
& Marile Lopez, and MLB Player Jon Jay at Nov. 8 “Wild About Kids” Gala
Acclaimed Miami Artist Alexander Mijares Donates Unique Artwork to be Auctioned/Showcased on Program Cover
Miami, Fla. – Oct. XX, 2014 – At its black-tie 8th Annual “Wild About Kids” Gala and After Party on Nov. 8, 2014, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will honor husband and wife Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq. and Marile Lopez with its Charles “Bebe” Rebozo Humanitarian Award for their vision, leadership and dedication given to the organization and its children. Major League Baseball player/former Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade member Jon Jay will be honored with the Community Leadership Award as an alumnus who has demonstrated tremendous support, leadership and commitment to the enrichment, development and well-being of the children in the Miami-Dade community.
In addition, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade supporters will show their appreciation for artist Alexander Mijares, a Miami native with Cuban and Spanish roots, who turns to the colorful energy of both his city and heritage as a great source of inspiration. Mijares has created/donated artwork to be used for the gala’s program cover, and is donating the actual artwork to be auctioned off at the gala, with proceeds benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.
Jorge Luis Lopez and Marile Lopez are longtime supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. Jorge Luis Lopez, practicing law since 1987, established his governmental affairs practice in Coral Gables, Fla., Jorge Luis Lopez Law Firm, in 2007. He is recognized as one of the top lawyers in South Florida and the U.S., and a dedicated philanthropist for charitable organizations in Miami-Dade and South Florida communities. He has served on Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s Board of Directors since 2000. He is also a Board member of the MLM Fund III (The Miami Foundation) and The Metropolitan Center at FIU, and a member of the American Cancer Society, and Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council; as well as the founding chairman of the Miami-Dade Parks Foundation. He has also been highly involved with other organizations including the Miami-Dade College Foundation, Historical Museum of South Florida, Vizcaya Museum Trust, Carlos Albizu University, Camillus House, Mercy Hospital Foundation, United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Marile Lopez, CFO at Jorge Luis Lopez Law Firm, also dedicates her time to serving the community through leadership roles in a number of organizations. She sits on the Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, and is chair of the Miami Children’s Health (MCH) Foundation. In 2013, she and Jorge Luis Lopez chaired the MCH Diamond Ball for a second consecutive year. She also served on MCH Foundation’s 2011 Diamond Ball committee. In addition, she is vice chair of the Board of the American Cancer Society’s Miami-Dade unit and served as chair of the 2011 “White Out Cancer” Gala. She has dedicated her time to helping the National Young Arts Foundation, serving as 2011 Young Arts Gala committee chair, 2012 Young Arts Miami Council chair, and 2013 Young Arts Gala chair (along with Jorge Luis Lopez). In addition, she is on the American Red Cross Ball committee and FIU President’s Council.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, World Series champion and a Miami native who played baseball for years as a child at Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Jon Jay continues to give back to Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade by hosting his Celebrity Bowling Challenges at Lucky Strike in Miami Beach. The 2013 and 2014 events have raised nearly $70,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. During the events, over 200 guests, including Jay, other MLB players and the public, hit the lanes at Lucky Strike in Miami Beach for fundraising/bowling fun. Jay has also hosted Celebrity Bowling Challenges benefiting Chapman Partnership Miami Homeless Shelters & Services, and Great Circle, a St. Louis, Mo. nonprofit agency that provides a unique spectrum of behavioral health services
to children and families.
The “Wild About Kids” gala, produced by Chad Everett and Galaxy Productions, will take place at the JW Marriott Marquis, located at 255 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33131. Based on a theme surrounding a “night of stars,” it will kick off with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, the program, dancing and live entertainment from 8 p.m.–12 a.m. A fun-filled after party including entertainment, D.J. music, dancing, an open bar and small bites, also at the JW Marriott Marquis, will take place from 12–3 a.m.
South Florida’s top community leaders, philanthropists and socialites will be among the over 450 anticipated guests who will enjoy a themed evening full of surprises, luxurious and unique raffle and auction items and much more. Guests will also have a special opportunity at the event to sponsor a child through donations.
Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available and range from $1,000 to $50,000. Individual tickets are $500; tables (10 seats) are available for $5,000. Proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s many positive programs, including after school programs, homework assistance, computer training, social skills, dance, arts & crafts, professional mentoring, and summer and athletic programs, for area children who need them the most.
Dr. Robert H. Thomas and Eris Thomas (Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade Executive Board member) are gala co-chairs; honorary co-chairs are Dr. Michael S. Gordon and Lynda Gordon.
For more information about “Wild About Kids” sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, in-kind gift donations, and tickets, please contact Kati Foley, director of special events & development, at 305-446-9910 ext. 30 or kfoley@bgcmia.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade has been serving youth in the community since 1946. What once was a single building and site for boys has grown to five Clubs serving thousands of boys and girls year round, providing programs in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, cultural arts and sports, fitness and recreation. Club staffing, initiatives, and programs are designed to inspire and enable young people and provide them with the resources to succeed and share in the American Dream. For more information, please visit www.bgcmia.org
