-ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BENEFITS MIAMI BRIDGE’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SHELTERS & FAMILY SERVICES -

Over 500 guests attended Miami Bridge’s Enchanted Nights Gala presented by sponsor Ryder System, Inc. to benefit its youth and family services in Miami-Dade County. This year’s annual event took place on Saturday, April 14th at the Coral Gables Country Club with Local 10’s Chief Meteorologist, Betty Davis, serving as emcee. The evening helped raise thousands of dollars to assist Miami Bridge’s 24-hour emergency shelter locations for children and teens ages 10-17, as well as its free family counseling services.

Miami Bridge supporters were treated to an evening of sumptuous food and lively entertainment. The Enchanted Nights’theme delighted guests as they were served champagne by an aerial artist, invited to stop by a “fortune teller” and a “Fairy Dust Station,” featuring body glitter and rhinestones, and were amused by roaming nymphs and merrymakers, and much more. The event’s top-tier sponsors included Coastal Construction, Greenspoon Marder, and Diageo, along with Ryder System, Inc.

This year’s theme was inspired by the life-changing services provided by Miami Bridge and its hard-working and dedicated staff, who through love, dignity, and respect guide abandoned and neglected youth on a path to realizing their true self-worth and reaching their dreams.

“We are very grateful for the generous support we received at this year’s gala. The funds we raised will continue our mission to help our kids overcome the insurmountable challenges they face and to put them on the path of reaching their full potential,” stated Marlene Quintana, president of the Board of Directors at Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc.

Among the attendees were Miami Bridge’s Board of Directors, State Rep. Nick Duran, former U.S. Rep. and Board Member, Patrick Murphy, as well as friends of the organization.

Miami Bridge works with all youth and specializes in rescuing kids and teens from lives of victimization and crime, providing an atmosphere where self-esteem and self-worth can be built up; where kids can feel loved; and where for some—they can feel safe for the first time. 

(PHOTOGRAPHY BY WORLD RED EYE, MANNY HERNANDEZ & GORT PRODUCTIONS)

Coral Gables Country Club

Adriana Collado-Hudak, Manny Crespo, Daisy Olivera

Elle Laura, Diana Vizcaino, Deborah Baker-Egozi, Milena Abreu

Gala Treats by Sweet Cravings

Enchanted Nights Gala Aerialist

Betty Davis, Gala Emcee

Betty Davis, Dagmar Llaudy, Marlene Quintana, Joseph Cantrell

Steve Hope, Patrick Murphy

Bronwyn Miller, Migna Sanchez-Llorens

Enchanted Nights Gala Guests

Belen Torrens, Alfred Karram Jr., Vanessa Karram, Samantha Scalzo