McCrea Volunteer Lunch
2024 McCrea Family Volunteer Luncheon
Miami Lighthouse celebrated Valentine's Day with our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. Saying "Thank You" to our volunteers is a
longstanding tradition made possible by the McCrea Family Foundation whose legacy of volunteerism began in our very early days when Helen Sloan
McCrea (1989-1978) devoted herself to the important mission of serving the blind.
This year's lunch honored the Miami Springs Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Miami, who have held events throughout the year to put food in
backpacks for students attending our Miami Lighthouse Academy, thereby preventing food insecurity among our Miami Lighthouse Academy families.
Our volunteer Board Directors, Honorary Board Directors, and Legal Counsel were also honored. A special heartfelt thanks to David B. McCrea
for his continued sponsorship of this signature event.
2023 McCrea Family Volunteer Luncheon
On Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2023, we celebrated our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon by saying "thank you"
to our volunteers. A longstanding tradition at Miami Lighthouse, the event has been made possible by the McCrea family, whose legacy of
volunteerism with us began in our early days when Helen Sloan McCrea (1889-1978) devoted herself to the important mission of serving the blind.
We wish to share a big thank you with our volunteers of the year, Alicia Celorio, Jetty Loretta Susi and Alma Weintraub, and to Lions Clubs,
Rotary Clubs, our Board Directors and Honorary Board Directors. A special heartfelt thanks to David B. McCrea for his continued sponsorship of
this signature event.
2020 McCrea Family Volunteer Luncheon
On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2020, we celebrated our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon by saying
“thank you” to our volunteers. A longstanding tradition at Miami Lighthouse, the event has been made possible by the
McCrea family, whose legacy of volunteerism with us began in our early days when Helen Sloan McCrea (1889-1978) devoted
herself to the important mission of serving the blind. We wish to share a big thank you with our volunteers of the year,
Pollo Tropical and Miami Lighthouse client Hugo Meneses, and to our Board Directors. A special heartfelt thanks to David
B. McCrea for his continued sponsorship of this signature event.
2019 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
This Valentine's Day, February 14th, we celebrated our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon by saying "thank you" to our volunteers. We honored our volunteers of the year Karla Richey, Lion Alan Campbell and Lion Martin Murphy. We also acknowledged District 35-N Lions Clubs and a special thank you to our Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors. Our guests and honorees were treated to beautiful musical tributes by our Miami Lighthouse Music Program musicians.
A longstanding tradition at Miami Lighthouse, the event is made possible by the McCrea family – a family whose legacy of volunteerism with us began in our early days when Helen Sloan McCrea (1889-1978) devoted herself to the venerable mission of serving the blind. Thank you to the McCrea family for their continued support and to David B. McCrea for his continued sponsorship of the event.
2018 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
On February 14th, Miami Lighthouse celebrated our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Valentine's Day. Honorees included Jorge Hernandez, President of Fenix Broadcast Corp, and Lion Maria Augusta Pusey. Also acknowledged for their tireless volunteer efforts were Alejandro Damian, Lions Clubs, Delta Gamma Beta Tau Chapter, with a special thank you to our Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors. Our guests and honorees were treated to beautiful musical tributes by our Miami Lighthouse Music Program musicians.
Each year, the McCrea family honors the spirit of volunteerism by generously underwriting our annual volunteer recognition event so that those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive their due praise. Thank you to the McCrea family for their continued support.
2017 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
On February 14th, Valentine's Day, at our annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon we said "thank you," to our volunteers. Honorees included Rita Stone, Karen Calderon, and Lion Fred Morris. Also acknowledged at the lunch were the 85th Anniversary Gala Host Committee Members, Delta Gamma Beta Tau Chapter, and Miami Lions Club, with a special thank you to our Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors and Legal Counsel. Our guests and honorees were treated to beautiful musical tributes by our Miami Lighthouse Music Program musicians.
A longstanding tradition at Miami Lighthouse, the event is made possible by the McCrea family – a family whose legacy of volunteerism with us began in our early days when Helen Sloan McCrea (1889-1978) devoted herself to the venerable mission of serving the blind. Each year, on Valentine's Day, the McCrea family honors the spirit of volunteerism by generously underwriting our annual volunteer recognition event so that those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive their due praise. Thank you to the McCrea family for their continued support and to David B. McCrea for his inspiring words he shared at the event about the spirit of volunteerism.
2016 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day Miami Lighthouse took
time to say, “Thank you,” to our volunteers at our annual McCrea Family
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held on February 12th. This year’s honorees
include American Express, AB&A Advertising, the Delta Gamma Beta Tau
Chapter, and the Lions for the Blind, with a special thank you to our
Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors and Legal Counsel. Our guests and
honorees were treated to beautiful musical tributes by our Miami
Lighthouse Better Chance Music Program musicians and singers Natalia Sulca
and Dan Johnson, with two special violin solos by Sofia Causa-Dumay, a
Transitions student.
A longstanding tradition at Miami Lighthouse, the event is
made possible by the McCrea family – a family whose legacy of volunteerism
with us began in our early days when Helen Sloan McCrea (1889-1978)
devoted herself to the venerable mission of serving the blind. Each year,
on Valentine’s Day, the McCrea family honors the spirit of volunteerism by
generously underwriting our annual volunteer recognition event so that
those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive
their due praise. Thank you to the McCrea family for their continued
support and to David B. McCrea for his inspiring words he shared at the
event about the spirit of volunteerism.
2015 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Lunch Enjoys a
Delicious Surprise!
Each year on Valentine’s Day, the McCrea family has honored
the spirit of volunteerism by generously underwriting the luncheon so that
those who dedicated themselves to providing crucial services to the blind
may receive their due praise.
The Valentine luncheon this year recognized 2015
Volunteers of the Year Rene J. Gonzalez-Llorens, Esq., who serves as Miami
Lighthouse Legal Counsel, and Paula Jacobs, a devoted Senior Group Health
and Activities Program volunteer (SGA). Our Better Chance Music Production
Program™ musicians serenaded the winners and guests with SGA client Dan
Johnson bringing down the house with his vocal rendition of “Lady” by
Lionel Richie.
2014 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
OOn Friday February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Miami
Lighthouse held the annual McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon,
continuing a long tradition by recognizing our 2013 volunteers for their
support and dedication to the organization. Every year Honorary Board
Director David McCrea generously underwrites the volunteer recognition
event so that those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the
blind may be recognized for their commitment and hard work.
The lunch began with a welcome by President and CEO
Virginia Jacko followed by Betty Tucker, a Miami Lighthouse volunteer, who
recited the poem “Why be a Volunteer?” After enjoying lunch, Honorary
Board Director David B. McCrea spoke to the guests about the spirit of
volunteerism. The honorees at this year’s event were Edith La Riva, Lion
Dilma Rodrigues, Susie Wahab and Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors.
David B. McCrea was also recognized in appreciation of his and his
family’s continuing support.
The program concluded with Lion Alan Campbell presenting a
check to Miami Lighthouse on behalf of the Lions for the Blind.
We are deeply grateful to all volunteers and supporters
who dedicate their volunteer efforts to Miami Lighthouse and its mission.
2013 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
On Thursday February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Miami
Lighthouse continued a long tradition by recognizing its 2012 client
donors and other volunteers for their support and dedication to the
organization at the annual McCrea Family Volunteer Luncheon. Every year
Honorary Board Director David McCrea generously underwrites the annual
volunteer recognition event so that those who dedicate themselves to
crucial services to the blind may receive their due praise.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Agustin Arellano Jr.,
gave welcome remarks followed by Miami Lighthouse Instructor Oseas de Leon
reciting a Valentine’s poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Honorees at
this year’s event were Cesar Giral, M.D., Honorary Board Director Ray
Casas and Hebert Klein. Other participants included District Governor Juan
Tejera and other members of the Lions leadership and Lauren Firtel
representing the University of Miami Delta Gamma sorority. Tenor Michael
Tota concluded the lunch with two wonderful songs and our deepest
appreciation goes to all volunteers and supporters who have gone above and
beyond the call of duty to support Miami Lighthouse programming. Photos
courtesy of Marcelo Salup.
2012 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
On Tuesday February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Miami
Lighthouse continued a long tradition by recognizing its 2011 client
donors and other volunteers for their support and dedication to the
organization at the annual McCrea Family Volunteer Luncheon. The McCrea
family began its legacy of Miami Lighthouse volunteerism in the 1930’s
when Helen Sloan McCrea devoted herself to the mission of serving the
blind.
Tenor Raymundo Antomarchi sang "Nessun Dorma,” the famous
tenor aria from Puccini's Turandot, as a vocal tribute to the Board of
Directors. Hugo Meneses and Myra Diaz, Luz Rosenfeld and Charles Dunn were
recognized as the top three 2011 grateful client donors. Other individuals
who believe in and support the mission of Miami Lighthouse received
special recognition: Hector Patino, Lenor Ryan from the Shops at Midtown
Miami, Maria Perez from Essilor Laboratories of America, Karina Barrera
and Marcella Gutierrez from Opa Locka Hialeah Flea Market and volunteers
from Delta Gamma Sorority. Other participants included District Governor
Diana Castillo and other members of the Lions leadership and Michelle
Levy, District Administrator, Division of Blind Services.
Our deep appreciation goes to all volunteers and
supporters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, especially to
the McCrea family. Every year Honorary Board Director David McCrea
generously underwrites the annual volunteer recognition event so that
those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive
their due praise.
2011 McCrea Volunteer Recognition
Luncheon
On Monday February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Miami Lighthouse
showed its love by honoring the Board of Directors and its many volunteers
for their support and dedication to the organization, giving special
recognition to the McCrea Family Foundation for their legacy of
volunteerism and generosity. Every year the McCrea Family generously
underwrites the annual volunteer recognition event so that those who
dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive their due
praise. This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award recipient was Lion Alan
Campbell and all Lions who are committed to the mission of Miami
Lighthouse. A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Campbell came to Miami in 1984 and
founded Camco Cable Service, the oldest and largest private cable company
in Florida, which he continues to actively manage. With the closing for
the Lions Home for the Blind in 2006, Lion Campbell was the catalyst for
thirty of their program participants to join Miami Lighthouse. Through the
Lions, he continues to solicit funds for participants in our Social Group
Activities Program. A member of Lions Club International for 40 years,
today he serves as Vice-President of the Coral Gables Lions Club and
Secretary-Treasurer of Lions for the Blind. Our deep appreciation goes to
all volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, especially
to the McCrea family.
2010 McCrea Volunteer Recognition
Luncheon
On April 8th, Miami Lighthouse honored the Board of Directors and its many
volunteers for their support and dedication to the organization, giving
special recognition to the McCrea Family Foundation for their legacy of
volunteerism and generosity. Every year the McCrea Family generously
underwrites the annual volunteer recognition event so that those who
dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive their due
praise. This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award recipient was Gert Stein.
A native of New York, Mr. Stein was first introduced to the Miami
Lighthouse by his mother, a former vision rehabilitation client. In
January 2009, Mr. Stein followed his mother’s footsteps and became a
client at the Miami Lighthouse. He graduated from the program five months
later and became a dedicated volunteer primarily in Arts and Crafts and
the Solutions Store. He then became an active member of the White Cane Day
Committee for which he raised many donations. Our deep appreciation goes
to all volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty,
especially to the McCrea family.
2009 McCrea Family Volunteer
Recognition Luncheon
On April 2nd, The
Junior League of Miami was honored as “Volunteers of the Year” at the 2009
McCrea Family Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. The Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired "Little Lighthouse,” a popular community
project, has benefitted for nearly three years from the Junior League
volunteers’ facilitation of playgroups and participation in activities
meant to further develop the skills of the children and parents in the
Blind Babies Program. League volunteers also provide social support
through weekly sessions with blind and visually impaired children.
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