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Following the Magical Splendor gala with fashion show by Badgley Mischka hosted by Raysa and Alfy Fanjul on January 17th of this year, the Fundación MIR continued it’s 25th anniversary celebrations with a fundraiser in Miami Beach at the end of February.
The Grand Opening of Quality Meats Miami Beach hosted in partnership with Mission International Rescue Charities (MIR Charities), raised more than US$55,000 in funds for the Fundación MIR, whose 3 schools here in La Romana helpschildren in the Dominican Republic and their families escape poverty by identifying and addressing their needs through educational services and collaborative programs.
Hosted by Univision Network anchor María Elena Salinas, the event brought together more than 300 guests that enjoyed an evening filled with live entertainment, free-flowing champagne and cocktails made with Atlantico Rum. In addition, guests were “wowed” by dishes and lavish food stations featuring items prepared by Quality Meats Miami Beach’s Chef/Partner Craig Koketsu.
“Funds raised from this event will go to create programs that provide housing, medical assistance, education and technical preparation for the people that are most in need in Dominican Republic,” said Raysa Fanjul, who chaired the event and also serves as vice president of MIR Charities. “With each ticket sold, Fundación MIR will be able to provide school supplies for a student enrolled at a Fundación MIR Schools for an entire year.”
Guests indulged in sumptuous sweet and savory signature bites ranging from house-cured slab bacon with peanut butter and jalapeno jelly; dry-aged mini cheeseburgers; mini watermelon with Labne yogurt and spiced sea salt to a selection of composed charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, and raw bar and seafood samplings. To end the night, decadent Quality ice cream cakes; mini key lime pies; sticky toffee puddings; and s’mores bites were offered, along with cold brewed coffee.
Attendees included many notable personalities, including Fourth Wall Restaurants president and founder Michael Stillman and wife Allison; Founder and Partner of Fourth Wall Restaurants Alan Stillman; former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Paul Cejas and wife Trudy Cejas; vice president of Fanjul Corp. and executive vice president of Florida Crystals Corporation, Pepe Fanjul, Jr.; Miami-Dade Commissioner for District 12, Jose “Pepe” Diaz; assistant vice-president of advancement of FIU, Jorge Corton; director of physician relations at Baptist Health, Reverend Richard Vigoa; chairman and co-founder of Capponi Group, and founder of Haiti Empowerment Mission, Michael Capponi and former chief operating officer of Univision Communications Inc., Ray Rodriguez and wife Liane Rodriguez.
