INFORMED FAMILIES/THE FLORIDA FAMILY PARTNERSHIP'S FUNDRAISING DINNER AND AUCTION AT JOE'S STONE CRAB RESTAURANT RAISES OVER $200,000

Proceeds from the 24th Annual Event Support Youth Drug Use & Underage Drinking Prevention

On May 18, representatives of Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership welcomed over 400 civic and community leaders and supporters to its 24th Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction at Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant in Miami Beach. Over $200,000 was raised at the event to support and enhance the organization's programs and services, which help kids grow up safe, healthy and drug-free.

Guests enjoyed a fun-filled street party, as well as a silent auction featuring items such as signed and framed Romero Britto prints, a Celebrity Cruises Caribbean cruise, a round of golf at Miami Shores Country Club, Actor's Playhouse tickets, and jewelry by Marie Louise Designs. Afterward, they dined upon succulent stone crab in honor of the conclusion of Florida's stone crab season.

The event was chaired by Dean & Christy Klevan and Jim & Deborah Davidson. Celebrity maitre d's, including Pam Giganti, former Florida State Senator Gwen Margolis and Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman, donated their time to seat guests.

"We are very grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success," said Peggy B. Sapp, President and CEO of Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership. "The funds raised will help make a great difference in the lives of many children and help them to live healthy, drug- and alcohol-free lives."

Major sponsors included:

• Donor of the Year: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida


• Jumbo Claw Sponsor: Gulliver Schools


• Premium Claw Sponsor: Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables Trust


• Select Claw Sponsors: Trish & Dan Bell, The Bermont/Carlin Group, The Knight Foundation


• Special Super Grand Claw Sponsor: Kahn-Carlin & Co., Inc.

• Super Grand Claw Sponsors: AirTran Airways, Tom Bales & Connie Ryan, Bermont Advisory Group, John & Stacy Bolduc, Carlton Fields, P.A., Colliers Abood Wood-Fay, Grossman & Roth, P.A., Goldsmith Family Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida, Carol & Scott Lyons (The Carol & Scott Lyons Foundation), Richard & Virginia Mead, Podhurst Orseck, P.A., Sedano's Supermarket 


• Special Grand Claw Sponsors: Peggy B. Sapp, Village of Miami Shores Police Department


• Grand Claw Sponsors: Walter & Ethel Beckham, Louis & Ofe Chiavacci, Tom & Debbie Korge, Charles & Marabel Morgan, Jr., Doug & Ellen Oppenheimer, Jeff & Laura Roberts


• Program Underwriter: Hector Family Foundation