There are many firsts that occurred at this year’s annual end of the year Golden Angels party on May 15. For the first time in its nine year history, the venerable Golden Angel logo for this philanthropic group at Jackson Memorial Foundation, was wearing a bright yellow bib on the invitation for the party, since for the first time, the dinner was held at Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant. And for the first time, the dinner was open to friends and families of Golden Angels. In fact the Golden Angels took over the entire restaurant—it was closed to outside diners that evening. This was the brainchild of Pat Wallace, Chairman and Founder of the group, who worked hand in hand with Vice Chairman Bunny Bastian to make this happen.

“I wanted this to be a fun event, where men didn’t have to wear ties—just bibs—and everyone could let their hair down and feel free to relax while cracking the famous Joe’s stone crabs. And I wanted to open the party up to new people who might not know about the Golden Angels to learn about all that we do.” says Wallace.

The evening began at 7:30pm with a cocktail reception and full open bar. A sit down dinner followed where guests had a choice of stone crabs or any other entree (but why bother?) with all the traditional side dishes that you lust for at Joe’s. And of course, for dessert, key lime pie.

But the fun atmosphere doesn’t belie the seriousness of the party. It recognized the 65 people who became Golden Angels this year. The minimum donation to be a Golden Angel is $50,000 and many give more than that. So, you do the math—that’s a ton of money raised for Jackson Memorial Foundation the power house behind Jackson Memorial; the organization that provides outside funds that enables the hospital to be one of the best in the country and give world-class health care to Miami-Dade residents.

This year’s honorees were: Grand Seraphim: Holtz Family and the Fana Holtz Foundation. Platinum Seraphim: The Amit Hedman Family; Guardian Angels; International Kids Fund; Miami HEAT Family Outreach; Sherie Swerdlow. Golden Seraphim: Brenda Nestor Castellano; Lennar Foundation; Irene Panoff and Bill Panoff, Porthole Magazine. Silver Seraphim: Marieta Amit; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Dorrance, lll. Platinum Angels: Bunny Bastian; Jim and Dee Bowers; Cynthia David Carr; Crescent Heights; Alan and Vivian Dimond; James Ferraro, Ferraro Family Foundation;: Iris and John Fisher; Shirley Fletcher; Margarita Galiana-Lopez, American Prime Group; Ken Gorin, THE COLLECTION; Mr. and Mrs. F.W Mort Guilford; Jackson Cancer Care; Ron and Janie Kupferman; Edie Laquer; Carlos and Marta Lopez-Cantera; Mariana and Emilio Martinez; Marisa Cisneros Rizzon and Marcos Rizzon; David and Marian Rocker; Adriana Sarmiento and Family; Serena and Leon Simkins; Mr. Sherman Simon; Lorraine and Stephen Sonnabend, Sonesta Hotels of Florida; SunTrust Bank, Miami, N.A.; Eberto A Vitier. Golden Angels: Jayne and Leonard Abess; Kyle Amber, Kids That Care; Angela and Pablo Andrade: Anonymous, in honor of Fana Holtz: Missy Carricarte-Kardonski; Dr. Kevin and Yvonne Coy; Marko Dimitrijevic; Chuck and Zojaim Downs; Edith Duarte-Viera; Friends of Ryder Trauma Center; Alan and Marjorie Goldberg; Greenberg Traurig; Gust K. Newberg Trust; Roberto and Cathy Jimenez; Juntos Foundation; Mr. Chaim Katzman and Dr. Shulamit Katzman; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kearns; Dr. Lisa Krinsky-Seifer; Larry and Ann Lerner; George Lindemann; Saul and Beverly Negreann; Miami Hotel Investments, LLC; Marci Osheroff; Andres Rodriguez Sr. and Zaedy R. Pozo, Gables Edge Parks Company; Lawrence Phillips; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Samas, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc; Joseph D. and Janet M. Shein; Shul of Bal Harbour; Terremark Worldwide, Inc.; and Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Poliakoff.

The annual Rainmaker award, which is presented to people who have made an enormous impact at UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, was given to Susen and Herb Grossman and Bunny Bastian.

Golden Angels are acknowledged for their generosity and support with a series of honors, privileges and invitations. Members participate in a variety of exclusive functions held throughout the year, and receive special patient privileges at the hospital for themselves and their families. A way of saying thank you to people who do so much good. The mission of Jackson is not only to serve the indigent with the best possible health care but to build a healthy community and provide a single, high standard of quality care for all the residents of Miami-Dade County. It could not be accomplished without the generous funds provided by the Golden Angels.

For further information on Golden Angels call Joan Bender 305-355-4999.