UPM: A Milton Family Company sponsors Hometown Heroes Parade & Festival. This event honors first responders and essential workers who tirelessly serve our community. We are grateful for their sacrifices and come together as a community to celebrate these local heroes who protect and care for us. Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins and Chairman Oliver Gilbert led the effort to establish Miami-Dade County's First Responders Day. Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez brought the Festival to Tropical Park.

Hundreds of families came to see the police vehicles, helicopter, firetrucks, and mounted patrol with their beautiful police horses. We enjoyed rides and entertainment, and best of all, we got to thank our Hometown Heroes. 

National Philanthropy Day ("NPD") Reception for Honorees. Among my most important goals is encouraging and celebrating young people who serve our community. For the second year, the José Milton Foundation sponsors the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award at the NPD Luncheon hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals ("AFP"). I had the pleasure to meet this year's recipient, Lesianne Tupas, a senior at the School for Advanced Studies South, at the pre-NPD Honoree Reception. She is committed to helping our community through volunteerism and leadership in hosting numerous food distributions and creating her own initiatives. As Vice Chair of Joshua's Heart Foundation, Lesianne oversees 50 youth leaders and board members, leading efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity.

I look forward to celebrating Lusianne and handing her the Award and Scholarship on Nov 1 at the NPD Luncheon.

 

We're Here: United Way Miami ("UWM") Launches Annual Community Campaign. The annual UWM community campaign brings together people and resources to build a better community. CEO Symeria Hudson introduced a renewed focus at the Launch Celebration, highlighting Four Core Pillars – Health & well-being, Education, Resilient Communities, and Economic Mobility. 

 

Half a million households in Miami-Dade are in, or just one paycheck away from, poverty. UWM's mission is to connect people in need with those who can help by investing in more than 100 programs through more than 60 partner agencies and leading 17 additional initiatives throughout Miami-Dade. More than 185,000 individuals benefit from UWM's guidance and style of caring annually.

 

I co-chaired the Campaign the past two years and proudly pass the reins to Felipe Basulto, South Florida Market president at TD Bank, returning as campaign co-chair, and Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami-Dade College, to lead the charge this year. Though I recently rolled off the Board, my commitment to UWM and our community remains strong.

 

Cancer Link Raises Research Dollars for Sylvester at UM. In the battle against breast cancer, Cancer Link is a loyal ally of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at UHealth. Started over 37 years ago, the all-volunteer group led by Cancer Link Founder Marlene Berg raises funds to support cancer research and awareness through an annual luncheon and other initiatives. The volunteers have raised more than $4 million.

 

This year, the theme of the luncheon was 24K in pink and featured a fabulous fashion show by designer Julian Chang. 

 

I have served on the committee and have been a supporter for over ten years. I am honored to know and admire the tireless Marlene Berg who continues to champion the mission and involve her children, grandchildren, friends, and cancer survivors. Our community owes her our gratitude for supporting female researchers in breast and other cancers. Survival rates keep improving as treatments and means of early detection are improving every day.

 

Jackson Health Foundation ("JHF") News. After serving eleven years on the JHF Board (two years as Chair), my extended term ended, and I rolled off the Board. We accomplished many milestones during my service on the Board: Naming of the José Milton Memorial Hospital at Jackson West (most significant gift at the time and still among the largest), growing fundraising and support every year, a fun and successful annual gala to celebrate Jackson champions, a thriving and impactful community-benefitting partnership with UHealth, and new initiatives to make Jackson/UHealth the quality healthcare experience of choice for our community. I am very proud of the Board's work. 

 

It has been my privilege and honor to serve, and I commit to continue championing Jackson Health and supporting its mission: Making Miracles Happen Daily! 

 

 

Share your philanthropy and acts of gratitude with me: JMFoundation@upm.miami