As night falls on Saturday, March 9, one local organization will bring the stars from the sky to shine upon the celebration of a milestone—45 years of achievement, inspiration and service to the most vulnerable members of our community.
Rejoicing in a continued mission to offer children the sun, the moon and the stars, the Centro Mater Foundation—a South Florida institution that aims to support the efforts of Centro Mater Child Care Services Inc., a non-profit organization that provides quality care and education to economically disadvantaged youths—presents A Night of Heaven on Earth, an invitation-only event to be held at The Temple House in Miami Beach.
Several of Miami’s notable community leaders and longtime Centro Mater supporters are slated to attend the heavenly evening to commemorate Centro Mater’s 45th anniversary. The highly anticipated event—lead by Master of Ceremonies Alberto Sardiña of Univision radio—will feature delectable bites by Le Basque catering; cocktails by Coastal Wine & Spirits and Johnnie Walker; fashions by Victoria Lopez-Castro; music by Made in Miami DJ Productions; a surprise presentation; and praise-worthy grand finale.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating this amazing milestone in Centro Mater’s history with our biggest event yet,” said Claudia de la Cruz, President of the Centro Mater Foundation. “A Night of Heaven on Earth will allow us to pay tribute to our wonderful network of supporters who help us to perpetuate Centro Mater’s mission to empower children and their families.”
Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc. was founded in 1968 by Mother Margarita Miranda Otero—a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Cuba, who after her immigration to Miami, recognized a desperate need for child care services among newly exiled Cuban families striving for financial independence in a foreign world. Moved by her discovery, Mirando-Otero began to gather each day in the shade of a Little Havana tree to care for neighborhood children who would have otherwise gone home alone. With a few bats and balls, some books and a tad of creativity, Miranda Otero’s informal child care program was born. From one neighborhood center in 1968, Centro Mater has grown remarkably, expanding its reach across Miami-Dade County to service previously underserved areas where immigrants suffering from socio-economic disadvantages have historically concentrated. And while founded upon a Cuban and Catholic base, the organization serves children and families of every nationality and faith—nearly 1,200 annually. Today, Centro Mater—managed and greatly supported by Catholic Health Services—operates five accredited centers, catering to children 6 weeks to 12 years of age, and their families, through early child care, education, after-school care, summer programs, nutrition and wellness guidance, development assistance, and parent-focused instruction.
Centro Mater alumni have found great success with the organization’s support. Former students have developed to serve as broadcasting executives, professional athletes and artists, politicians, leading business owners, and highly ranked students at Ivy League institutions.
Funds raised by A Night of Heaven on Earth will benefit the Centro Mater Foundation, which helps to provide for Centro Mater’s summer programs and supports the maintenance of all centers.
Members of the event’s host committee have been steadfast in their efforts to make the 45th anniversary celebration a success. The dedicated individuals include Brenda M. Moreira (chair), Antonio Ardila and Luz Angela Sarmiento de Ardila, Ana L. and Ernest Bachrach, Olga and Alberto Beeck, Miriam and Marcio Cabrera, Zady and Eugenio Cosculluela, Maria Elena and Tony Costa, Remedios and Fausto Diaz-Oliver, Mariana and Mario Fernandez, Helen and Jose Luis Ferre, Aurora and Jose Antonio Garrido, Lillian and Gus Machado, Brenda and Domingo Moreira, Claudia Puig Amundsen and Richard Amundsen, Monica Rabassa, Gustavo Leon, Frances and Eugenio Sevilla Sacasa, Vivian and James Williams, and Jania and Dean Ziff.
Centro Mater is especially grateful to its sponsors, which include Alan and Jeanne Viergutz; Sazon Goya; Navarro Discount Pharmacy; Coastal Wine & Spirits; Mercantil Commercebank; Goya Foods; Pepe and Ana Ortega, Robert and Maria Elena Wollberg; Merrill Lynch; Carlos and Claudia de la Cruz; Simply Healthcare Plans; Whole Foods; Catholic Health Services; FirstBank Florida; Cantera & Associates; The Miami Herald, Alberto and Olga Beeck; Nestor and Lourdes Machado; HLB Gravier; KPMG; The Lowell Group; Carlos and Maria Arazoza; McNamara Family; Haub Family; and Bachrach.
Tickets for the invitation-only celebration are $200 and $125 for ages 21-25. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For further event details, contact Marbelys Delaosa at mdelaosa@chsfla.com, and to learn more about Centro Mater Child Care Services, Inc. visit CentroMater.org or call 305-545-6049.