Linda
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
I am on the board of the Funding Arts Network, called FAN. Over the years, they have given over 4 million dollars to the arts. I think the arts are important. I think we are a more civilized nation and community if we can support the arts. Look what’s happening with the Arsht Center, the Performing Arts Center in Broward, and the New World Symphony. What a wonderful thing we have here! I love going to the New World Symphony, in the evenings, when you can sit on the lawn, listen to the music, and on this huge screen watch the whole concert. You’ll see families picnicking and all age groups enjoying it. Not a sound is made during the music. Even more beautiful – the whole park is full – and when you leave – not one piece of paper or any mess is left there. It’s just wonderful to see the community in this light.
Nicolas
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
Any day at the Fruit and Spice Park is always great. Their mango fest, that just passed, is always one of my favorite events of the year. Also, PIG is coming up in November.
Kim
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
I'm very active in a bunch. I'm on a number of committees for United Way and that's one organization that I strongly support. I'm on the board of trustees at Temple Judea and we spend a lot of time there. For the last decade, Ben and I have both volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Miami. I would say in general, I'm very passionate about women's and children's issues. So, I participate in a number of mentorship and professional organizations that are aimed at supporting women and children. And in particular, early childhood literacy is my big plug.
Saul
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
Coming up, the Learning Experience, which is a school dedicated to children with special needs like severe autism or intellectual difficulties, is having a fashion show to raise awareness and money. Students from the school get a chance to walk the runaway and they love it. I think is a really nice event.
Denise
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
I belong to a group called Miami Made, which is a group of conscious Miami entrepreneurs. I like to go to events at the Venture Cafe, which is a community for innovators and entrepreneurs. There's a great organization called Code Fever, which my friend Felicia Hatcher runs, which helps to turn urban youth into digital creators and not just digital consumers. They teach urban kids coding and software development skills.
Michael
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
I question a lot of these organizations because I find that they are not all too altruistic. I know that some assistance can be derived from these organizations, but when I want to do good for someone, I do it directly, not through an organization. I see too many people creating non-profit organizations for money in their pocket. I guess I'm jaded.
Stuart And Shari
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
Beth Am is our number one community and where we dedicate ourselves. Shari oversees the Beth Am day school as well as the day school auction every year. Each year they raise enough to fund scholarships so that every kid can go to Jewish day school. She is also in charge of their summer camp. On a personal level, the one organization that we do a lot of work with is called the Victor Center – which raises money for the prevention of Jewish genetic diseases. Shari speaks all over town about getting tested to see if you have the gene. Technically, if two people with the same genetic mutation have a child, there is a 25% chance the child will be born with a potentially fatal disease. Sadly, insurance companies won’t pay for the expensive genetic tests, however they must pay for a child born with complications. The Victor Center raises money to cover the cost of tests to help parents know if they are a carrier of a genetic disease.
Deborah
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
My husband and I are big sailors so we support two yacht clubs. My father was a founding member of the Coral Reef Yacht Club. The other area that I would like to get involved in is the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center.
Alina
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
There are four that I am close to. Multiple Sclerosis at University of Miami, Breast Cancer awareness through the Sylvester Center, Zanmi Beni children’s shelter, and Autism.
Valerie
Are there any community events or groups that are important to you and your family?
I would suggest people get involved in mental health nonprofits and see what's going on with their local school board, and their schools to make sure that we're providing the emotional and physical health support for our kids.