The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Hearts & Stars Gala Highlights
News Anchor and Emmy Award winner Jenise Fernandez hosted the Little Lighthouse Foundation’s (“LLF”) Hearts & Stars Gala 2023: Casino Royale with a special performance by three time Grammy Award winning artist, Wyclef Jean at Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza.
Over 1,500 people from all over the world enjoyed casino-style gambling, a roaring James Bond vibe, including the Tito’s Martini Lounge, and the new Aston Martin SUV from Holman Motorcars, sounds from DJ Noel, and a top shelf open bar featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Patron Tequila, Cazadores Tequila, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light NEXT, Dewar’s, Whispering Angel, Penelope Bourbon, Antica Fratta and Victoria Cuvee from Tita Italian Wine, & Delicatessen, sparkling water from LaCroix, FIJI Water, and Celsius Energy Drink, as well as tastings from some of South Florida’s top restaurants — including Coyo Taco, Paperfish Sushi, World Famous House of Mac, Italica Midtown, Casa Bufala, Piacere Pizza, Delicious Caterer, Potions in Motion, and Whitmans. Guests also enjoyed Calvisius Caviar from Tita Italia in the Aroma360 VIP Lounge. Alto Ridesare provided a safe and convenient way home.
On stage between performances, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami’s Gale Nelson was recognized as LLF’s Shining Light Award winner and World Red Eye was honored as LLF’s Corporate Partner of theYear.
The live on-stage auction included the C|S Club Experience, which included a 2 night 3 day stay for 10 people on the 282’ megayacht, Chakra as well as a the ZERO G’ Experience for 4 people on a specially modified Boeing 727 G-FORCE ONE ® aircraft, which achieves weightlessness for its passengers.
One lucky winner took home a raffle package valued at approximately $30,000 including a Yacht Charter from Seawise, a $5,000 luxury spa treatment package from Taja Drip, a “Best of Saks” Styling Experience, a Dior Beauty Masterclass, lunch from Aba Bal Harbour, an Eddy Bogaert Painting, a Stephan Gamson Limited Edition Signed Screen Print, an $2,500 Aroma360 Gift Certificate, a $1,000 Villa Azur Gift Certificate, DJ lessons from the DJ Academy by ALOONA, a “Party Like a Rockstar Basket” from Hard Rock Hollywood, a Sexy Fish Miami Gift Certificate, BRP Training personal training sessions and classes and a $2,500 Gift Certificate from E11even.
LLF raised hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Gala for its programming including over $200,000 in live donations as part of the Do Good Feel Good matching programming from donors including Loren and Claire Schlachet, Roland Peralta, David Lindsey, Gary and Chelsea Manheimer, Steven Michael, Mark and Kristina Pickard, Joe and Anna Michalczyk, Andrew Fox, Brian Vaske, Aaron Finch, Ari Rubenstein, Asher Raphael, Derek Schwartz, Shamsu and Ola Lalani, Kristjan and Hilda Olaffson, Ronnie Issenberg, Ben Griffith, Howard Seydel, Chris and Tracy Monteleone, Kristjan Olafsson, Aaron Resnick, Robert Sena, and Lauren House.
The Gala was produced by Live It Productions International, an award winning global, event production and design company, who has helped produce the 2012 London Olympic Closing Ceremony, Los Premios MTV (Latin America), the NFL Honors, the ESPYs, the Kennedy Center Honors, and many other notable live events.