{"id":148616,"date":"2026-02-09T08:31:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/148616\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T08:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:31:09","slug":"community-support-keeps-smiles-bright-traditions-thriving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/148616\/","title":{"rendered":"Community support keeps smiles bright, traditions thriving"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For families of the working poor, providing children with a healthy smile often means choosing between rent, groceries, or dental care. That\u2019s where the Coral Gables Woman\u2019s Club steps in.<\/p>\n<p>For more than eight decades, club members have helped children throughout Miami-Dade County regain healthy smiles at no cost to their families. What began as a project of the Coral Gables Junior Woman\u2019s Club continued when the two clubs merged, evolving into a vital community resource that, according to dental clinic director Dr. Iris Torres, now provides approximately $225,000 in free dental care annually for school-aged children in need.<\/p>\n<p>The clinic is the primary beneficiary of the club\u2019s ballroom rentals and fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n<p>For decades, the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation has been a major supporter, along with many generous donors who contribute on a smaller scale. Following the club\u2019s costly 40-year building inspection and the loss of rental revenue during COVID, ongoing funding is more critical than ever.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more or support the clinic, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coralgableswomansclub.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.coralgableswomansclub.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>To help meet this need, the club is directing proceeds from upcoming events to support the clinic. Monthly Gringo Bingo and karaoke nights at Birdie Bistro continue to raise vital funds, with the next Gringo Bingo set for Feb. 10. The Jan. 13 event raised approximately $1,600, thanks to longtime supporters Lynn Bauer and Dr. Hal Wanless, Jerome Kavulich, Tom and Kim Davison, EZ Title Service, and 1st Premier Elite Financial Services (Liz and Frank Gamez).<\/p>\n<p>Of course, none of this would be possible without \u201cthe Gringo\u201d himself \u2014 Steven Bradley, managing partner at Vivo Sports &amp; Social \u2014 who generously has volunteered his time and talent every month since 2019 to support worthy charities. To join the fun, RSVP at <a href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\/columnists\/gloria%E2%80%99s-gab\/community-support-keeps-smiles-bright-traditions-thriving\/mailto:gloria@cnews.net\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">gloria@cnews.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, the club\u2019s signature spring fundraiser will be a Mother\u2019s Day Tea on May 7, the Saturday before Mother\u2019s Day. Look for exciting details next time.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of great events, South Florida PBS continues to provide extraordinary experiences that educate, entertain, and strengthen the organization\u2019s future. On Jan. 14, PBS hosted a VIP preview of its new Titanic Immersive Voyage.<\/p>\n<p>President and CEO Dolores Fernandez Alonso joined board members for the ribbon cutting.<\/p>\n<p>Guests enjoyed themed appetizers, a live band reminiscent of the Titanic era, immersive exhibits, and fun virtual photo experiences. The attraction officially opened to the public on Jan. 30 and joins the popular Pharaoh Immersive Experience, both located in Boynton Beach and well worth the trip.<\/p>\n<p>In other club news, Coral Gables Rotarians have transitioned to meeting every other Thursday for their lunch meetings at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. The club continues to welcome outstanding speakers, including the new president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Jorge Arrizurieta, who recently shared his impressive background and vision for expanding the chamber\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n<p>His personal story \u2014 from growing up in Hialeah to ultimately finding his professional home in Coral Gables \u2014 added warmth and charm to the program. Many longtime friends were on hand, including civic leader Thomas G. Abraham, along with several past presidents: Sally Baumgartner, Yoli Woodbridge, Frank Sexton, Jim Skinner, and Ana Gallagher.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of the Abrahams, Norma Jean Abraham and the team at Our Lady of Lebanon hosted their 47th annual Lebanese Festival from Jan. 30 through Feb. 1. They were recent guests on Gloria\u2019s Gab LIVE. To view the interview, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnewstv.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.cnewstv.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Coming events: <br \/>Now through April \u2013 The Titanic Immersive Experience opens presented by South Florida PBS. For information visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.southfloridapbs.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.southfloridapbs.org<\/a><br \/>Running\u2013 CGWC Gringo Bingo, Birdie Bistro, 6:30 p.m. check in\/ bingo 7-9 p.m. RSVP to <a href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\/columnists\/gloria%E2%80%99s-gab\/community-support-keeps-smiles-bright-traditions-thriving\/mailto:Gloria@cnews.net\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gloria@cnews.net<\/a> to benefit the free Coral Gables Woman\u2019s Club\u2019s Children\u2019s Dental Clinic.<br \/>Feb. 11-Mar. 8 \u2013 Actors\u2019 Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Dear Evan Hansen, Feb. 13 \u2013 Opening Night) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.actorsplayhouse.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">www.actorsplayhouse.org<\/a><br \/>Feb. 13 \u2013 The Miami Woman\u2019s Club Galentine\u2019s Night for a Cause: A Fundraising Happy Hour<br \/>Feb. 27 \u2013 80th anniversary of Rotary Club of Coral Gables celebrated with a piano concert at Coral Gables Congregational Church to benefit the club\u2019s international outreach; 6:30 p.m. cocktails and bites in Fellowship Hall followed by concert at 7:30 p.m.<br \/>Feb. 28 \u2013 135th Anniversary Gala for Coconut Grove Woman\u2019s Club; 6 p,m. cocktails\/ 7 p.m. dinner and program<br \/>Mar. 13 \u2013 The Women\u2019s Fund Power of the Purse Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jungle Island.<\/p>\n<p>In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT US:<\/p>\n<p>For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.<\/p>\n<p>This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami\u2019s culture. Whether you\u2019re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami\u2019s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: <a href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any questions, feel free to email <a href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\/columnists\/gloria%E2%80%99s-gab\/community-support-keeps-smiles-bright-traditions-thriving\/mailto:Michael@communitynewspapers.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael@communitynewspapers.com<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\/columnists\/gloria%E2%80%99s-gab\/community-support-keeps-smiles-bright-traditions-thriving\/mailto:Grant@communitynewspapers.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Grant@communitynewspapers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n    Connect To Your Customers &amp; Grow Your Business&#13;\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link-button connect-customer-business\" href=\"https:\/\/communitynewspapers.com\/request-information\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bugle-Boy.jpg\" scale=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For families of the working poor, providing children with a healthy smile often means choosing between rent, groceries,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":148617,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[225,227,226],"class_list":{"0":"post-148616","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hialeah","8":"tag-hialeah","9":"tag-hialeah-headlines","10":"tag-hialeah-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148616\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}