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Kids Party for a Cure, FL

May 1, 2011

As 600 South Floridians entered University of Miami’s Bank United Center the afternoon of May 1, they embarked upon a cross-country Road Trip featuring food, fun and entertainment from destinations across the United States.  Now in its third year, Kids Party for a Cure raised more than $130,000 for the Diabetes Research Institute, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, located right in the backyard of enthused partygoers.

It was a family affair for many, including the eight Dade and Broward County moms who served as chairpersons for the event: Meredith Buchwald, Therese Gibb, Amy Greenwald, Jill Hirsch, Dorothy Isriel, Alyson Katz, Nikki Simkins and Jenn Tacher.  Their fundraising efforts over the past year were rewarded with the joyous laughter of their children, paired with the knowledge that those funds will help the DRI move closer to a cure for diabetes.

Tikes and teens were wide-eyed as they took in a New York City street fair and a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade.  Fearless kids flocked to Maui, where they climbed 20-foot coconut trees and caught waves on a surfboard.  Creating a scene on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, glam-girls attracted the flashes of paparazzi, and Minnie and Mickey Mouse supplied hugs for everyone at The Magic Kingdom.  While some adolescents hit the slopes, snowboarding in Aspen, others joined cirque-like performances of Las Vegas, flipping and walking a tight rope.  The toughest of travelers visited the Wild West, where bull riding and log rolling sent many for a tumble. 

Illusionist Gary Goodman struck crowds with awe in a new performance every 15 minutes, and RA Music kept the tunes pumping.  The Miami Heat game attracted a throng of dads to a huge screen in the corner, and the jumbotron overhead displayed digital ads from various generous supporters.  Snacks, sandwiches and treats offered tastes from each region of the country, and an extensive silent auction rounded out the grand event.

As is becoming a trend at Kids Party for a Cure, children served as sponsors alongside families and businesses, resulting in a collective community effort.  Students Brett Katz and Zack Isriel created web pages to raise funds online, and Sammy Schechter used his role as Oliver to encourage theater goers and fellow cast mates to donate.  Many other kids contributed, as well, but topping the charts were the students of Le Petit Papillon Montessori School, who raised $5,000 by selling coffee, pastries, cotton candy and snow cones on the school’s campus.

Other top sponsors included: The Greenwald Group/Townhomes of Oak Lane in honor of Lexi Greenwald, Lexi & Jonny Greenwald, The Katz family, Rand Eye Institute, The Buchwald family, Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., American Airlines, 101.5 Lite FM, DiabeTV, Hunter Cope & O’Rourke’s Diner, The Klein Family, and The Seskin Family.