Voices For Children “Be a Voice, Be a Light” Gala Raises more than $700K

Photos by: Orlando Garcia, Manny Hernandez/Manny of Miami and World Red Eye.

The Voices for Children Foundation and presenting sponsor Harry Winston, Inc., raised over $700,000 at the 21st annual “Be a Voice, Be a Light” gala at the Mandarin Oriental, where 450 of Miami’s most influential and philanthropic people danced the night away amidst a sea of diamonds to benefit foster children in Miami-Dade county.

The night began with a cocktail reception at the downtown hotel, where guests mingled amongst the gorgeous displays of Harry Winston diamond pieces — including a 70-carat radiant-cut Yellow Diamond Necklace — and had the opportunity to bid on luxury goods and one-of-a-kind services at the silent auction.

The following dinner took place in the venue’s glamorous ballroom, where one young woman spoke about her life-changing experience working with Voices for Children. Gala Chairs Brad and Suzanne Meltzer also spoke, honoring guests Steve and Aimee Owens, a pair that has offered their unwavering support for the foundation over the past 16 years.

“Suzanne and I are thrilled to be a part of an organization doing such great work to help children in Foster Care,” said Meltzer. “Voices for Children helps change lives and is making a difference every day.”

Notable attendees include Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, David and Christy Martin, Michael Comras and Daniela Swaebe, Bronwyn Miller, Tara Solomon and more.

Guests rounded off the night dancing to tracks spun by DJ Kucha, relishing in the lavish festivities before one lucky attendee went home with a Harry Winston Midnight Monochrome 18k Rose Gold Watch. The night was an enormous success, with $700,000 raised to ensure that abused, abandoned and neglected children in the Miami-Dade County foster care system each have the resources to meet their legal, health, educational and social needs.

For more information about Voices for Children, visit www.BeaVoice.org.