by Angela Betancourt
The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF) hosted their 6th annual Hearts & Stars Gala this past weekend at Roy and Leah Black’s expansive waterfront home on Star Island. For the fifth year in a row, the foundation sold out all their tickets with the proceeds going towards LLF’s mission to assist South Florida children and their families that struggle with educational, financial, and medical hardships.
This year’s gala had several highlights including the Keener Foundation for Giving’s pledge to match donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000, which was fulfilled within 5 minutes. Pledges then continued to follow and surpassed $150,000. LLF Board members Aaron Resnick, Robert Sena, and Charlie Venturi joined pledge donators and special guests on stage to share their appreciation for everyone who helped support the matching donation program.
The gala’s theme this year paid homage to the film Casablanca and guests were greeted with real camels as they entered the party. Among the high profile and notable guests in attendance were Jill Martin, Jonathan Cheban, Lawrence Timmons, and Gabrielle Anwar and Shareef Malnik, recipient of the Credit Suisse Shining Light award.
Hundreds of guests indulged in a top shelf open bar all night provided by Diageo, featuring Kettle One, Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, and Zacapa Rum as well as Dos Equis, Tita Italia sparkling wine and FIJI Water. Siena Tavern, Midtown Oyster Bar, Rosa Mexicano, and Il Mulino were among some of the restaurants that set up culinary stations that served everything fresh oysters to couscous paella. The evening’s entertainment further added to the excitement. Hublot had its first ever #MyHublot watch experience and the SLS LUX casino game tables were also hit. Warren Henry Automotive featured the brand new Range Rover Discovery, never before seen publicly and Tita Italia sparkling wine was made available on the award winning VanDutch yachts.
PHOTO GALLERY
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Photo credit: World Red Eye
