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Every year, there is a spectacular theme for the Hogar del Niño Weekend Dinner-Dance, and this year was Under the Sea. Perfectly appropriate for our tropical island and the weekend’s warm weather, we were all greeted by a LIVE aquarium of Hogar del Niño girls dressed as sea animals! It was beautiful and a wonderful way to enter the dinner. Everyone posed with these adorable creatures who were in full body paint and colorful, sparkly costumes.
The Hogar del Niño dinner is usually hosted at La Romana Country Club, but this year we had a change of scenery! By the crystal clear water of the Caribbean ocean, we gathered at the Casa de Campo Minitas Beach Club! The change of location was spot on! Beautiful tables were arranged within the restaurant and on the sand in front of the restaurant gazebos. The brightly decorated centerpieces were guided by Malele, Sarah and Amelia from Tres Eventos and made by the kids of Hogar del Niño in the form of beautiful paper flowers and marine life.
A main buffet in the center of the restaurant and others set up in the beach gazebos were elegantly arranged by Casa de Campo banquets, under the supervision of Anthony Masas who catered the event with a delicious Dominican theme. Dominican candies and desserts made the dessert table a must-stop for all guests, and many returned for more, savoring creamy chocolate treats, puddings and pastries.
Merengue and salsa classics kept attendees working off those calories and dancing the night away to ballads courtesy of Central Romana. The night was breezy and lovely, with the crescent moon shining low on the horizon in the picturesque night sky, giving everyone the chance to snap the perfect photo. During the evening, Xioma Menéndez addressed the crowd and reiterated how thankful she and everyone at the PBO is of all the support and love expressed throughout the weekend for the kids. She mentioned how excited she was of integrating Motocross and the Frank Sinatra evening within the weekend festivities.
Renata Soñé was the Master of Ceremonies and introduced Gilles Gagnon, who was in charge of the Golf Tournament, and he thanked Xioma and Xiomara for their trust and for making him part of such a special weekend. He announced the golf winners and runner ups; and golf pro, Ulises Quezada, gave the awards for the Tennis Tournament. Winners received cute trophies in the shape of the children featured with the Hogar del Niño logo, and gorgeous floral and leaf platters. Those will make for the perfect place setting this spring season.
Thank you to the Hogar del Niño for another fabulous event, and thank you to all of you for attending and supporting the activities of the Hogar del Niño Annual Weekend. It was truly so much fun with such a wonderful, generous community!
The following collection of photos were taken at the 2016 Hogar del Niño Annual Weekend Dinner – Dance Party, Saturday, February 13th by Mariana Heredia:
