{"id":106248,"date":"2018-11-20T15:26:33","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T20:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=106248"},"modified":"2021-04-15T17:29:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T21:29:44","slug":"22ndmiamigalaposteventrelease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2018\/11\/20\/22ndmiamigalaposteventrelease\/","title":{"rendered":"22nd Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala: Le Cirque de la Nuit and Hublot Best Buddies Challenge: Miami Raise $2.8 million to Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
The theme of this year\u2019s Gala was Le Cirque de la Nuit<\/em>, inspired by the magic of Paris. The event included a fabulous cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, unique live and silent auctions, and a live performance by multi-platinum Hip-Hop artist Flo Rida.<\/strong><\/p>\n This event, as always, brought together some of Miami\u2019s most notable residents and celebrities from around the globe. In attendance were Best Buddies International\u2019s Founder, Chairman & CEO Anthony K. Shriver ; <\/strong>Actors Rocco Amaradio,<\/strong> Jason Lewis <\/strong>and Patrick Schwarzenegger; <\/strong>Actress and Model Olivia Culpo; and <\/strong>Four-time Tour de France<\/em> Winner Chris Froome; <\/strong>Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters; <\/strong>WSVN\u2019s Sports Anchor Donnovan Campbell<\/strong>; among others.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-8″][vc_column_text]There were a number of exclusive items up for auction, including a Big Bang Unico Best Buddies Limited Edition<\/em> timepiece; which sold for $29,000; a custom portrait by Pop-Artist Romero Britto, a Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Week experience, a luxurious Maldives getaway, and a Tour de France <\/em>experience with pro cyclist Chris Froome!<\/p>\n In total, the silent and live auctions raised $642,700<\/strong> for the organization.<\/p>\n The crowd was captivated by various performers,\u00a0including mime and stilt artists, acrobatic dancers, and Best Buddies participants who welcomed guests into the Parisian themed event. Attendees also enjoyed a Hublot branded photo booth and exclusive Hublot pop-up lounge area.\u00a0Several Best Buddies participants showcased their amazing talents throughout the evening, including Best Buddies Ambassador Justin Toler, who performed for an exciting crowd, and Best Buddies Ambassador Jorge Morilla, who delivered a powerful speech about the impact Best Buddies has had on his life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-4″][vc_single_image image=”106424″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-4″][vc_single_image image=”106422″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-8″][vc_column_text]Friday\u2019s festivities kicked off bright and early with the Hublot Best Buddies Challenge: Miami<\/em><\/strong>, a 100K six-star cycling event, limited to just 50 cyclists that began and ended at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami. The Challenge <\/em>was led by Tour de France <\/em>winner Chris Froome<\/strong>, and pro cyclists George Hincapie<\/strong> and Christian Vande Velde<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Challenge and Gala weekend concluded on Saturday with a White Mass held in partnership with the Saint Patrick\u2019s Catholic Church <\/strong>and Father Roberto Cid<\/strong>, in thanksgiving for the lives of individuals with special abilities.<\/p>\n Sterling Foundation Management <\/strong>and the The Ferraro Law Firm <\/strong>were the Friendship Sponsors<\/em> of the event; Cutrale Citrus Juices, Micky <\/strong>and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, Carnival Corporation & PLC, Carnival Foundation, Celebrity Cruises, Sheba Lucas, Tracfone Wireless <\/strong>were the Employment Sponsors<\/em>. <\/strong>Leadership Sponsors<\/em> included The GEO Group Foundation, Inc., Sally Heyman, Klingman & Associates, Park West Foundation, Lydia & Rudy Prio-Touzet, Marlyne Sexton, Sandy & Tony Tamer, Haute Living <\/strong>and WSVN 7News.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1543526797172{margin-top: -25px !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]\n The Best Buddies Challenge: Miami<\/em> was presented by Hublot<\/strong>; other sponsors included Abaco Wines, Braman Motors, Mack Cycle & Fitness, Pepsi-Cola, Seminole Hard Rock & Casino <\/strong>and the Winter family.<\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]\n Access the event photos below:<\/strong><\/p>\n Miami Gala Photos<\/a>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1543264224434{background-color: rgba(147,150,203,0.05) !important;*background-color: rgb(147,150,203) !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1543264761318{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:<\/strong><\/span> MIAMI, FL., November 19, 2018 \u2013 Nearly 700 people attended the 22nd Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala: Le Cirque de la Nuit at Mana Wynwood, Florida on Friday, November 16. The star-studded event raised $2.8 million in total donations for Best Buddies International.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2063,"featured_media":106258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"news-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[676,228],"tags":[87,723,276,116],"class_list":["post-106248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-archive","category-press-releases","tag-best-buddies","tag-best-buddies-challenge","tag-miami-gala","tag-social-inclusion"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nBest Buddies\u00ae is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated\u00a0to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities<\/em>. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies\u2019 eight formal programs \u2014\u00a0Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies\u00ae , Jobs, Ambassadors,\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Promoters<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.2 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com\/bestbuddies or twitter.com\/bestbuddies.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1543264811871{margin-top: -15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]For additional media inquiries:<\/u><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]Nicole Maddox
\n<\/strong>305-374-2233 ext. 343
\nNicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]Amaury Sablon<\/strong>
\n305-374-2233 ext. 362
\nAmaurySablon@bestbuddies.org<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"