The Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation hosted its fourth annual Diamond Ball on Saturday night. Following up last year’s sold-out showing of 450 at the Biltmore Hotel, organizers moved the gala to the Fontainebleau and opted for a Saturday instead of Friday night to boost attendance to nearly 700.
“We’re doing it on a Saturday because we wanted to bring it back an hour and realized that [would be] more convenient for our constituents [on a weekend],” said the foundation’s event management specialist, Morgana Rolle. “That also goes along with the venue change and our effort to keep things fresh and new.”
The switch to the larger venue had the gala nearly returning to its 2008 size, when it took place on the main floor of American Airlines Arena, with about 800 guests. The foundation also offered a V.I.P. experience this year for its board members, donors, and the nine corporate sponsors that contributed more than $20,000. The group of 125 had a separate reception in the Fleur de Lis Ballroom, where the one of the night’s honorees Barbara Nicklaus, wife of golfer Jack Nicklaus who was sick and could not attend, mingled in a more intimate setting.
Dinner and the main program took place in the hotel’s Sparkle Ballroom, which the Wow Factor Marketing Group outfitted with red, black, white, and diamond decor to match the night’s 1950s theme, in honor of the foundation’s 60th anniversary. Michael Baiamonte, voice of the Miami Heat, served as master of ceremonies for the night and introduced Latin singer Albita, jazz singer Anthony Bucciero, and the Bruce Green Orchestra, all of whom performed during and after dinner.
The foundation estimates the event raised $1.6 million from ticket sales and the night’s silent and live auction.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect Jack Nicklaus' absence. The orchestra name has also been corrected.
