Amy and Scott Greenwald (back) and
their kids, Jonathan and Lexi (front),
are thankful to the generous supporters
who helped them make Kids Party for
a Cure "the talk of the town."
Welcomed by mimes and fire eaters, families entered the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center bubbling with excitement for Florida’s inaugural Kids Party for a Cure, presented by Jonathan and Lexi Greenwald. Held on Saturday evening, October 14, the combined carnival and circus atmosphere created fun for the whole family. It also raised funds nearing $300,000 for the Diabetes Research Institute, the best hope for a cure for 8-year-old Lexi and all others living with type 1 diabetes.
“Diabetes is really bad,” said Lexi’s big brother, Jonathan, 11. Their parents, Amy and Scott Greenwald of Pinecrest, served as the event chairpersons. “Life would be a lot better for my sister and many others if they didn’t have to live with it.”
Despite the serious cause, the event was all about fun. A high-flying aerialist and clowns on stilts towered above guests, as they swarmed throughout the arena, straining to absorb the exorbitant amount of entertainment offered. Their heads snapped in every direction to catch 30 acts by ABC Circus performers, ranging from contortionists and jugglers to Russian dogs. Mouths gaping, 800 partygoers gathered stage-side to watch illusionist Gary Goodman’s mystifying shows. Children and adults all over the arena danced to cool tunes of DJ Irie, the Heat’s official deejay.
Kids with painted faces, colored and beaded hair and temporary tattooed skin, clutched bright balloon creations of all kinds. Their clothes were adorned with photo stickers of their friends, and personalized army dog tags hung from their necks. The adventurous scaled an inflatable rock-climbing wall and walked a low-hanging tightrope.
Cotton candy-stained tongues tasted the typical carnival fare, including popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs and much more, all with diabetes-friendly carbohydrate counts posted nearby. An expansive silent auction contained nearly 200 fantastic items and luxurious packages, and raffle winners picked from more than 50 exciting prizes. Kids left for home exhausted and happy, clutching goody bags stuffed full of pleasing surprises.
Top sponsors included: The Greenwald Group; The Braman Family Foundation; Dr. Fredric Brandt; Mellon United Bank; Gerson Preston; Great Florida Bank; Keyes Coverage Insurance; Kirk Landon; Lori, David, Megan & Marlee Glassberg; Leonard & Jayne Abess and City National Bank; Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, PA; The Children's Wellness Fund; The Ertel Family; TransAtlantic Bank; Abbott Diabetes Care; Allison, Stephen & Jillian Blumenthal; Bill Ussery Motors, Inc.; Jessica, Ron, Julia & Leah Rodman and Friedman, Rodman & Frank, PA; Mindy & Gary Brown; Moss & Associates, LLC; Regions Bank; Shubin & Bass; Terranova Corporation; The Continental Group; The Easton Group; and Zuckerman Homes.
(R-L) DRIF's Robert Pearlman, along Lexi Greenwald standing between
with DRI's Dr. Camillo Ricordi and synchronized jugglers as they tossed
DRI's Gary Kleiman, plus his son, pins around her
Ben, posing with entertainers on stilts
Amy and Scott Greenwald (center) Committee members Andi Greenwald
with Ike Fisher (left) and committee and Michele Hill (right), both of The
member Stacey Shoer (far right) Greenwald Group, sponsor
Rachel Carta Wagman (center) and Carlos Cuervo being crowned with
Rachel Legon enjoying a clown and balloons
her Russian performing dogs
Michael Oppenheim with Lee Madison Kuci walking the tightrope
Koniver, sitting on "Big Bike Bob" with help from some new friends
Committee members (l-r) Susan Committee members (l-r) Faye
Kaufman, Allison Blumenthal and Koniver, Susan Keyes, Amy Greenwald
Amy Morgan and Sheila Quint
Hayley Legon (left) sharing a smile (l-r) Michael Kelly and Alex Herkert
and a hug with Shari Wald miming the mimes
Committee member Lori Glassberg Sponsors Ricky (left) and Monica
(center) with her mom and daughter, Schatz (right) with Cheryl Goldstein
and Robin Magaro (2nd from right) and Laura Koss (2nd from right)
with her son
Boys had fun... And so did girls...
Shooting hoops... Doing balancing acts...
Giving high fives... Rock-climbing...
Eating Dippin' Dots ice cream... Watching a contortionist...
Hanging out with mimes... Cheering up a sad clown...
"Helping" DJ Irie spin tunes... Spending quality time with the fam...
Watching an aerialist... And being amazed by illusionist
Gary Goodman!