Town hosts Appreciation Brunch for Volunteers, Sponsors

Miami Lakes officials celebrated the volunteers and sponsors who contribute to the town’s quality of life during a Sept. 25 breakfast at Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club.
The leaders of 11 committees and advisory boards, their volunteers and the companies that helped fund 150 events in the past year were saluted by Mayor Manny Cid and
Councilman Luis Collazo.
“If it weren’t for the sponsors, and if it weren’t for the volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do in the town, each and every day,” Cid said.
Four sponsors received special recognition: Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice
president, customer and corporate relations, The Graham Cos.; Judy Farcus Serra, chief financial officer,
Headquarter Toyota; Luis Molina, Jr., owner, Fantasy Designers and Fred Senra, partner, Miami Lakes
AutoMall.
Noted for their hard work were the Blasting Advisory Board; Cultural Affairs Committee; Education Advisory Board; Elderly Affairs Committee; Economic Development Committee; Public Safety Committee; Neighborhood Improvement Committee; Sports Hall of Fame; Special Needs Advisory Board;
Veterans Committee and Youth Activities Task Force.
Committee chairs described accomplishments and goals, including: 43 events for
elders; promoting child literacy; hosting a social media tech summit; improving mobility; providing training for CPR, self-defense and community emergency response teams; honoring accomplished athletes with ties to the town; helping young adults with special needs to find jobs; the Veterans Day parade and getting a claims service officer based in town and community events at Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
There were 166 boosters – major hospitals, professional sports teams, restaurants and other businesses -- listed in the program.
Clarisell de Cardenas, town communications director, thanked sponsors who contributed to Miami Lakes’ mission of becoming a “model town,” one that is friendly, open, innovative and provides effective and efficient government.
She said sponsors contributed more than $90,000 toward events that served “tens of thousands” of residents and visitors.