Daylin Garcia, 46, is president of the non-profit organization Giving Gators, which supports students and families in need and partners on its projects with the Town of Miami Lakes and area businesses and schools.
She is married to Rey Garcia. They live in Miami Lakes and have two daughters, Emily Garcia, 22, and Megan Garcia, 16.
Q: Where are you from and what is your background?
A: I was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to the United States when I was four. I graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1993 and attended Miami Dade College and received my Child Development Associate credential in 1995.
Q: What do you most like about Miami Lakes?
A: Since I’ve lived here, Miami Lakes has maintained its quaint, small-town ambiance. While it is steadily growing, it is still a great place to raise your children and family.
Q: What do you dislike about the town?
A: The only dislike or concern I have about the town is the future opening of bridges [between Miami Lakes and Hialeah, at Northwest 154th Street and Northwest 170th Street]. It will increase our traffic even more than what it is now.
Q: As president of the Giving Gators, what are the challenges and what do you hope to accomplish?
A: Our main goal is to help the students and families in need within the school system, and at any schools in our town. Our biggest challenge is reaching our yearly financial goal, which allows us to assist as many students as possible and families in need in the community.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment, personal or in your career?
A: My biggest accomplishment and blessing in my personal life is my marriage of over 27 years with my loving and supportive husband Rey Garcia, and my two beautiful daughters, Emily and Megan. In my career, my biggest accomplishment is co-founding Giving Gators.
Q: Do you have a fantasy career?
A: My fantasy career is creating a non-profit community restaurant that serves paying and in-need customers, such as Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen. Individuals can either make a donation for their meals or if they are unable to pay for their meals, they can “pay” by volunteering in their community.
Q: What are you reading, or what podcasts are you listening to?
A: The last book I read was “The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change” by Adam Braun.
Q: What have you binge-watching on TV?
A: Currently, I am binge-watching “Grace and Frankie” on Netflix.
Q: Where did you last travel to on a vacation?
A: Orlando with my family for a mini getaway.