United Way of Miami-Dade honors outstanding volunteers at 2012 Annual Meeting and Awards Program

At its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards Program on June 13, United Way of Miami-Dade will honor five community leaders and one outstanding young person whose works have had real and lasting impact in our community. For the first time a new award will be presented, the United Way Icon of Philanthropy Award, to Adrienne...









Arsht, whose generosity has transformed Miami’s cultural scene. Also, a new slate of officers, directors and trustees will be selected.

In addition to Arsht, honorees include: Sheldon Anderson, a Miami-Dade native and business leader who exemplifies volunteerism and commitment to bringing hope, promise and opportunity into the lives of others; Guarione M. Diaz, an established author and activist who has dedicated his life’s work to building bridges for minorities in this country; Dr. Robert D. Nolan, a leading authority and advocate for children’s mental health services who is devoted to improving the lives of children; and Ted Granger, a community leader who tirelessly advocates at the state level to improve services for children, families and older adults.

The Outstanding Youth Award, which recognizes an individual 18 years of age or younger for leadership, commitment and character through service and volunteerism, will be announced during the ceremony.

Event will take place at Jungle Island. Individual tickets are $50 each. A table of 10 is $500. RSVP by Monday, June 4, 2012.

Charlie West to spearhead United Way Young Leaders as executive committee chair

Charlie West of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants will serve as the United Way Young Leader executive committee chair for the 2012 campaign, from July 1, 2012- June 30, 2013. A dedicated and enthusiastic United Way volunteer since his teenage years, West first became involved in Young Leaders through the Greater Twin Cities United Way, where he also acted as employee campaign manager for UPS.

As executive...









committee chair, West will be active in fostering participation from current Young Leaders, a group comprised of 1,000 up-and-comers who each make an annual gift of $1,000 or more, and enjoy networking, volunteering, as well as personal and professional growth opportunities. West will also help to grow the program, mentor those already on the executive committee and will serve as a Young Leader Ambassador.

“Charlie is United Way true and blue. One minute he is running the campaign at his workplace, the next minute he is building houses for the homeless, collecting toys to distribute to children at one of our programs, sporting his Live United T-shirt around town or giving a speech in his Toastmasters class about getting involved,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “His commitment to United Way is nothing short of inspiring.”

Since the age of 16, West has been active in his employers’ annual United Way campaigns. Today, he manages the employee campaign for Berkowitz Pollack Brant, where he works as an accountant. The firm’s campaign increased by 30 percent this year, in large part due to his efforts.

Beyond running a successful campaign, West volunteers on various United Way committees. In 2009, he became involved in the organization’s community investment process by joining the Response Fund Allocation Committee, which addresses priority gaps and emerging needs in the areas of children, youth, elderly, families, health and financial stability. Following his Response Fund involvement, he joined the Youth Impact Council, where he applies his accounting skills and has a direct role in allocating community funds.

United Way of Miami-Dade hosted screening of Chely Wright’s Wish Me Away at the 2012 Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

United Way of Miami-Dade is a proud sponsor of the 2012 Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. On Saturday, April 28, the organization hosted the screening of award-winning country music star Chely Wright’s Wish Me Away, an autobiographical documentary that...









chronicles her coming out process.

Wright was amongst the guests. She greeted fans and volunteers, and after the movie, answered audience questions about her life and the film. A group of United Way volunteers helped with logistics and lined the auditorium seats in LIVE UNITED shirts.

Franc Castro, director of the MGLFF welcomed everyone and asked United Way’s public relations director, Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, to address the audience. She said: “At United Way we work to make Miami a better place for all. A place where we can receive an education, stay healthy and thrive. A place where we are all accepted. A place where we can LIVE UNITED.”

At the end of the film, Wright spoke about her need to live an authentic life and how it triggered her decision to come out to her family, colleagues and fans. She expressed that “coming out” is probably the most difficult decision for anyone, and it is imperative that young people who are struggling with this decision receive support.

United Way supports 120 health and social services programs throughout Miami-Dade. A number of these programs are focused on building conflict resolution skills and resiliency in families, providing mental health counseling/therapy to teenagers and adults and reducing risk factors of cognitive, emotional and social isolation faced by the GLBTQ youth population.

Four nights, three venues and 4,000 guests later, the United Way Miami Wine & Food Festival raises more than $500,000 to benefit 120 programs in Miami-Dade

Headlined by Bravo’s Top Chef Season 7 winner, Kevin Sbraga and Fontainebleau’s Executive Chef, Thomas Connell

MIAMI (April 27, 2012) – Presented by American Express, from April 18 - 21, the 17th annual United Way Miami Wine & Food Festival...









featured a craft beer tasting at Mary Brickell Village, a fine wine tasting at Village of Merrick Park, and two nights of dinner and dancing at the famed Fontainebleau Miami Beach – raising more than $500,000 net to benefit 120 programs focused on making Miami a more educated, prosperous and healthy community.

“We are so grateful to our sponsors, participating restaurants, wineries and breweries and our enthusiastic guests for combining their love of wine and food with that of philanthropy,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “The funds raised through this annual festival continue to change the lives of thousands of people in our community.”

After its wildly successful debut in 2011, Brews & Bites Craft Beer Tasting, sponsored by CBIZ, kicked off the festivities at Mary Brickell Village on April 18.  Son Cubano and 97.3 The COAST entertained 1,200 guests who enjoyed nearly 100 craft beers and micro-brews at dozens of tasting stations, and sampled bites from 20 local restaurants, including: Miami EDGE Steak & Bar, Tobacco Road, Gilbert’s Bakery, Sprinkle Designs and Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Taste & Toast Fine Wine Tasting, sponsored by Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, took place at Village of Merrick Park on April 19.  Spam All Stars and DJ Concept entertained more than 1,500 guests who enjoyed 430 fine wines from 80 international wineries and gourmet treats from 36 premier restaurants and caterers, including: Alhambra Restaurant, Wynwood Kitchen and Bar, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Café Bistro at Nordstrom, HaVen and Lounja Catering.  Before the event, 300 members of South Florida’s legal community gathered in support of United Way at Artefacto to celebrate the Third Annual Legal Mingle.

Friday night’s Food Friends & Fun Interactive Dinner, sponsored by Bacardi USA, belonged to Bravo’s Top Chef winner Chef Kevin Sbraga, who guided almost 600 guests through the preparation of a four-course meal with Johnson & Wales culinary students serving as sous chefs.  The menu included: chilled carrot soup with curry cream with crystalized ginger, cilantro, mint, grapes and cashews; local snapper with avocado, pickled red onions, Thai basil pesto and olives; loin of lamb with braised lentils and tamarind chili sauce; and the dessert included a coconut sorbet with roasted pineapple and a vanilla madeleine.  WSVN 7’s Belkys Nerey served as the mistress of ceremonies, and Bacardi brand ambassador Gabe Urrutia held a special anniversary toast with Oakheart Spiced Rum. 

The festival culminated on Saturday, April 21, with Cellar-bration – Good Food and Award-winning Wines, featuring an exclusive dinner under Fontainebleau Executive Chef Thomas Connell, paired with gold medal-winning wines from the Best in Glass Wine Challenge.  Auctioneer Nick Weir presided over the spirited live auction, which featured stellar wines such as six bottles of 1996 Château Latour and six bottles of 1996 Château Mouton-Rothschild; exclusive wine vacations including roundtrip air travel provided by American Airlines and stays in Provence and Loire Valley; fabulous cruising packages provided by Celebrity Cruises in Australia, Europe, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and more; and in-home experiences including private chefs, sommeliers and dessert workshops, among many others.  The more than 600 guests also enjoyed dancing to live entertainment by Luis Serrano and his Orchestra and an amazing display of eclectic desserts by Infused Bakeshop.

The 2012 festival trustees were Jayne and Leonard Abess; Hilarie Bass; Linda and Michael Bittel; Nelly and Mike Farra; Dan Hanrahan; Carlos Migoya; Susan and Bob Norton; and Oscar Suarez.  Hanrahan, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises served as festival chair, and Lyn Farmer served as festival director. 

For a full list of participating restaurants, wineries and breweries please visit www.miamiwinefestival.org

American Express was the presenting sponsor of the 2012 festival.  Other sponsors included: American Airlines at the Vintner level; Bacardi USA, Bank of America, Carnival Corporation & PLC, Celebrity Cruises, City National Bank, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Global Resources Registry, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and Village of Merrick Park at the Sommelier level; Baptist Health South Florida, CBIZ, Cisco and Steiner Leisure Limited at the Connoisseur level; Acqua Panna, BB&T, Chase, ChatChow.tv, Ernst & Young, Florida Power & Light, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greenberg Traurig, Johnson & Wales University North Miami, In the Gables Magazine/Response Publishing, Laurent-Perrier Champagne, Lexus, Miami New Times, Downtown Coral Gables & Miracle Mile, Northern Trust, Ocean Bank, Sabre Travel Network, World Fuel Services, Zuni Transportation and 97.3 The COAST at the Cooper Level; and Noven Pharmaceuticals and Right Management at the Enthusiast level.  The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, MIAMI Magazine and Venue Magazine are media sponsors of the festival.

Associate Legal Mingle was sponsored by: Akerman Senterfitt; Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP; City National Bank; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Hunton & Williams, LLP; Ryder Charitable Foundation; and Holland & Knight. 

About the Miami Wine & Food Festival

The annual United Way Miami Wine & Food Festival brings together wine, spirits, beer and food lovers for a four day festival featuring a Best in Glass Wine Challenge, top sommeliers, notable chefs, prestigious wineries and winemakers, breweries and impressive auction lots, all to benefit the South Florida community. Celebrating 17 years, the festival benefits United Way of Miami-Dade, supporting programs in our community that are focused on improving education, financial stability and health – the building blocks for a good life.  For more information, visit www.miamiwinefestival.org, www.facebook.com/miamiwineandfoodfestival and www.twitter.com/miamiwinefest.

Miami’s Sue Miller received the 2012 United Way Worldwide National Tocqueville Society Award

Longtime United Way volunteer Sue Miller received the United Way Worldwide 2012 National Tocqueville Award on May 1, in Nashville, TN, Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, announced. The award recognized Miller as a philanthropic leader and volunteer champion who has devoted time, talent and funds to create long-lasting changes and inspired others to do likewise. Miller joined an impressive list of...









philanthropists and humanitarians who have received this award, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Bob Hope, Henry Ford II and President Jimmy Carter.

In South Florida, Miller is at the helm of one of the area’s leading philanthropic families, which each year provides support to United Way and dozens more charitable and cultural organizations. Miller’s impact on United Way is far-reaching: be it her leadership roles on the national Tocqueville committee and championing major gift giving across the nation; or her national and international work in the women’s leadership arena, which has brought together women from different nations; or her work on the education front, where she has advocated for high quality early education in Washington, DC.

“In Miami, when people hear the name Sue Miller, they think of United Way; and when they hear United Way, they think of Sue Miller,” Mogul said. “That is because for more than 30 years, Sue has embodied the concept of what it means to LIVE UNITED. Her energy, spirit and love for her family and this community are boundless. She gives of herself unconditionally and expects nothing in return except the incredible personal joy and self-satisfaction she receives from simply helping others.”

Beginning in the 1980s, Miller helped to create United Way’s community-based fundraising efforts, reaching out into Miami-Dade’s various municipalities and family-owned businesses. In no time at all, she turned her door-to-door campaigning experience in Miami Beach into one of the nation’s most successful major gifts programs, which over the years has received several national awards. She is the founder of United Way of Miami-Dade’s Tocqueville Society, which today has 657 members who each contributes $10,000 or more annually. She also founded United Way of Miami-Dade’s Million Dollar Roundtable and Women’s Leadership programs. Her success in Miami caught the attention of United Ways around the country, and over the years she visited several other communities to help them launch and build their major gifts programs.

“As I grew up in South Florida and paved my own path of service to this community, I watched Sue with great admiration and respect,” Jayne Abess, partner in thinkLAB Ventures and board chair of United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “Over the years, Sue has been a mentor to me and so many other women, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Sue Miller and her husband Leonard Miller received the local Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy in 1996. The co-founder and chairman of Lennar Corporation, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, he passed away in July 2002.

The legacy of the Miller family continues on through their three children and son-in-law, all members of United Way’s Million Dollar Roundtable – and their 11 grandchildren. Stuart Miller is CEO of Lennar Corporation and a trustee of the University of Miami. Leslie Miller Saiontz and Steve Saiontz are Miami business owners who support the Council for Educational Chance and the University of Miami. She also serves on the local board of Teach for America and has co-chaired two Women’s Leadership Breakfasts along with her mother. Jeffrey Miller is CEO of Weeks Gas and Generators, and supports the Council for Educational Change, the University of Miami, Ransom Everglades School and Temple Beth Shalom.

Sue Miller’s commitment to community not only includes United Way, but also social services, education, the arts and health. Her leadership of community organizations includes the Council for Educational Change, the Cleveland Orchestra Miami Residency and the Judy Drucker Presents Great Artist Series. Both the University of Miami School of Medicine and the Contemporary Center for Judaic Studies bear the Miller family name.