SEEN ON SCENE REACH FOR THE STARS FOUNDATION
The Reach For The Stars Foundation held it's 11th annual fundraising event on Friday, November 28th, at the W Hotel South Beach. The fundraiser featured cocktails courtesy of GreyGoose, music by DJ Zak Mann, and a silent auction. The silent auction included items donated by local businesses such as American Social Bar & Grill for their new Brickell location, Zak The Baker, Top Secret, JetSet Pilates Miami, Juvia Restaurant, local artist Artie Sandstone, and more. Over 200 people were in attendance, and approximately $10,000 was raised for the charity.
READY TO LEAD COLLEGE READINESS WORKSHOP
Miami Dade College hosted this program for the seventh consecutive year on Saturday, Decenber 6. The intensive one-day program helped Hispanic high-school students entering postsecondary education by motivating them to complete high school, empowering them to serve and lead in their communities, and instilling a belief that a college education is achievable. The students were trained in college planning, financing a college education, and leadership development.
The Reach For The Stars Foundation originated in 1998 after the untimely death of Alan Epstein, who tragically died in a car accident at the age of 18. Through the Miami Foundation, Alan's family started the Reach For The Stars Scholarship Fund to honor Alan's memory, which provides financial aid to deserving high school seniors to further their education. RFTSF has since grown to not only raise funds for the scholarship fund, but also supports various cancer foundations in memory of Alan's parents, Murray and Cheryl Epstein. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.RFTSF.org.
ART WITH A HEART
The “Art with a Heart” Club, founded by Westminster Christian School (WCS) sophomore Ashley Castano, performed their first service project on November 1. The group visited Miami Children’s Hospital and worked on Thanksgiving art projects with the children. It was a great way to brighten their days, while sharing their passion for art with others. Their next service event will be in December, and every month there after. Back row left to right: Jon Fernandez, Natasha Strump, Tamara Kurt, Julia Decker, Annika Heetderks, Ana Campos, Katrina Musa, Front row: Abigail Raffalski, Alyssa Kreps, Ashley Castano, Sofia Forwood, Brittney Brigham
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida) hosted the 13th Annual International Business Woman of the Year Awards at the Rusty Pelican December 3, 2014. The event featured the international fashion icon, Diane von Furstenberg, with a live, on stage interview by our very own Local 10 News Anchor, Laurie Jennings. Ms. von Furstenberg spoke about her new book, The Woman I Wanted To Be, and her new reality show. She’s Forbes 68th most powerful woman in the world.
SHOP TO STOP MS
The University of Miami Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence hosted its 6th annual Shop to Stop MS at Saks Fifth Avenue, Dadeland. What could be better than a night of shopping, food, and an open bar? Raising money for a wonderful cause while enjoying all of these things. Photos: Brett Hufziger/BHUF.com
2014 WALK TO CURE ARTHRITIS
SCIENCE FAIR
Palmetto Elementary School Students participate in Science Fair.
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www.thefloridavillager.com | January 2015
The Westminster Christian School community rallied around sophomore Sophia Gonzalez as she worked to raise awareness and funds for the Arthritis Foundation as the Youth Honoree for the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis. A Westminster student since preschool, her classmates and teachers organized six teams to help support her fundraising efforts. In the end, they were able to raise $34,000 in direct donations and in-kind support. Sophia has suffered from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since she was two years old. Sophomore Sophia Gonzalez (second from left, front row), Arthritis Foundation Youth Honoree, is surrounded by just a few of the friends and family who came out to support her cause to raise awareness for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the 2014 Walk to Cure Arthritis.
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