Feast Among the Grapes, a recent food- and wine-tasting event, proved to be fruitful for the Diabetes Research Institute.
The 10th annual event in June at the Eden Roc Resort & Spa in Miami Beach raised $87,000 to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation of Hollywood. The foundation supports the nonprofit Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami.
More than 600 guests attended the benefit. Lisa Petrillo, reporter with the TV show Extra, served as the evening’s host. Three volunteers with the foundation committee — Barbara Amoils of Sans Souci, Sari Addicott of Golden Beach, and Randy Furshman of Miami — were co-chairs for the event.
“Our committee was responsible for helping us with ticket sales, and organizing and planning the event,” foundation spokeswoman Rachael Kemnic said. “We were very pleased with the turnout.”
The money will help finance research in the field of islet cell transplantation. This is a procedure that involves the biological replacement of pancreatic cells that produce insulin, which are mistakenly destroyed or dysfunctional in the bodies of some people with diabetes, Kemnic said.
During the benefit, guests sampled culinary treats from more than 20 Miami-Dade County eateries, including Blue Door At Delano, Tuscan Steak and 1220 Restaurant at The Tides, all in Miami Beach.
In addition to fine food and drink, the event offered a live and silent auction in which guests bid on items such as fine art, sports memorabilia, vacation packages and rare wines. The auction raised $25,459, Kemnic said.
Renowned pop artist Romero Britto designed the event’s invitations, which were converted into posters and sold at the auction.
Weston resident Mark Myers was the lucky winner of the door prize drawing: two roundtrip tickets to London courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of more than a dozen event sponsors.
The event, which cost $75 per guest in advance and $85 at the door, also featured live music and dancing.
Six volunteers honored
Six volunteers in south Broward County recently were recognized with Volunteer Broward’s Heart of the Community award.
They were: Dennis DiBona, Dania Elementary School; Susan Penrod, Humane Society of Broward County; and Ottie Wagner, Broward County Aviation Department, all in Dania Beach; Sean Cononie, COSAC Foundation in Davie; Dolores Simmons, Memorial Adult Day Center in Hallandale Beach; Henry Rose, Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines.
Forty Broward County agencies nominated an outstanding volunteer in celebration of National Volunteer Week in April. All nominees were honored during an award ceremony at the DoubleTree Guest Suites Galleria in Fort Lauderdale. Many of the 40 volunteers recognized serve agencies in northern and central Broward County cities, including Coconut Creek, Lauderhill, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and Pompano Beach.
“The winners represent the volunteers that truly go above and beyond,” said Andrew Leone, programs director for Volunteer Broward.
