Voices For Children Foundation Gala

All aboard the Orient Express!

Voices For Children’s Be A Voice, Be A Light Gala gathered nearly 500 of our community’s most distinguished business leaders, movers and shakers, and personalities at Mandarin Oriental, Miami for a night full of magic. This exclusive annual affair, which had HSBC as exclusive Presenter Grand Benefactor, raised approximately $475,000 to benefit the abused, abandoned, and neglected children served by the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program.

This year’s Gala, emceed by Local 10’s Laurie Jennings, took friends and supporters on an imaginary journey aboard the world famous Orient Express. Upon arrival at the foyer, decorated with a Venetian Carnival motif, guests were given masks and enjoyed Bellinis in Venice. They were then led into the ballroom by child mimes who moved to the sounds of a whistling train. Once in the ballroom, guests were delighted with dinner in Paris. The exquisite menu included smoked salmon parfait, filet mignon accented with a foie gras medallion and spinach puree and pommes soufflé, ratatouille a la provençal on a braised artichoke cup, and gateau Saint-Honoré for dessert. The magnificent décor, ambiance, and entertainment completed the fundraiser’s theme.

The 2007 Voices For Children’s Gala was co-chaired by Aymée and Stephen Owens and Veena and Ramesh Panjabi. It was made possible thanks to the support of HSBC; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida; Commercebank; Swire Pacific Holdings Inc; Cathay Pacific Airways; Machado Garcia Serra Communications; and Selecta Magazine.