Honey Shine Raised Over $100K at 11th Annual Hats Off Luncheon

Tracy Wilson Mourning, Violet Camacho, Janice Combs, Nadine Valme at Honey Shine 11th Annual Hats Off Luncheon at Jungle Island, Treetop Ballroom on May 7th, 2013

Honey Shine, a mentoring program and not-for-profit organization that encourages girls and young women by enlightening their paths and empowering their futures, served as host to its 11^th Annual Hats Off Luncheon at Jungle Island’s Treetop Ballroom on Tuesday, May 7. The organization is pleased to announce that this year’s fundraising event generated more than $100K from ticket sales, a silent auction, raffle tickets and donations. Proceeds from the event enable Honey Shine to continue enriching the lives of the young girls enrolled in the program, known as the “Honey Bugs,” by helping fund its workshops, field trips and Camp Honey Shine, a six-week Summer day camp that will take place at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. This year’s luncheon featured award-winning journalist Louis Aguirre, anchor of DECO Drive and WSVN TV FOX 7 and two of Honey Shine’s Honey Bugs, Yolanda Jiron, age 18, and Quanthavia Stalworth, age 17. Miss Stalworth and Miss Jiron shared their personal stories of success and serve as Mistress’ of Ceremonies.

Hats Off Luncheon Committee Members with Tracy W. Mourning at Honey Shine 11th Annual Hats Off Luncheon at Jungle Island, Treetop Ballroom on May 7th, 2013..

More than 600 guests enjoyed the theme of this year’s luncheon, “Peace, Love, Honeyshine,” which boasted colorful, retro chic 60’s décor, a welcome reception, a silent auction, red carpet photo booth, a luncheon, and the always-anticipated “Honey Bug” Showcase – a catwalk fashion show sponsored by Aventura Mall that featured select Honey Bugs, who have exemplified exceptional participation and improvement in grades. Participating models were outfitted by Gap retail stores, who showcased its casual Spring/Summer collection and Bloomingdale’s who also donated items from its current spring collection.

Television Anchor, WSVN TV Fox 7, Louis Aguirre and Nadine Valme at Honey Shine 11th Annual Hats Off Luncheon at Jungle Island, Treetop Ballroom on May 7th, 2013

Notable attendees included: Alonzo and Tracy Mourning , Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ mother, Janice Combs, event host and MC, Louis Aguirre news anchor with WSVN TV Fox 7 and DECO Drive, Betty Wright, R&B Singer/Songwriter, Miami Heat Executives, Gila Edrich from Louis Vuitton, DJ Elle, Katharine Rubino, VP of Marketing at Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, representatives from Peace Love World, Paola Rueda from Hublot, Violet Camacho with Haute Living, select members of the news media, volunteers and committee members from Honey Shine, Inc., Overtown Youth Center and Mourning Family Foundation.

Honey Bugs with Renee Smith from Smith Associates Title-Services

Featured auction items included: Hublot White Caviar timepiece, a vintage hand bag collection, Sakara Beach Club escape, Beyonce concert tickets, One Direction concert tickets, a Stella McCartney handbag, Fendi handbag, Nancy Gonzalez handbag, Miami Heat autographed ball, a signed pair of Dwyane Wade’s newest basketball shoes, Li-Ning Way of Wade, and more!

Paola Rudea from Hublot

“Hats Off” Luncheon is an annual fundraising event that enables the organization to reconnect with and thank its members, volunteers and sponsors while highlighting some of its activities and initiatives for the remainder of the year. Proceeds from the luncheon fund bi-monthly “Aspire to Shine” workshops and Camp Honey Shine, a six-week day camp taking place during the Summer for approximately 200 girls enrolled in the program.

Stephanie Anderson Honey Bugs and Miss Miami Springs

Top donors and sponsors included: Carnival Cruise Lines, Publix, Bloomingdales, Miami Heat, Gap, Chambord Vodka, Premier Beverage, Daun Ferguson Cosmetics, Mia Shoes, Jungle Island, NU Designs, Metro Signs, Original Impressions, Aventura Mall, DJ Elle, Lowe Family, Blank Family, Aventura Worldwide Transportation, Barry University, 4Girls Foundation, Galaxy Systems, L&E International, Pepsi, Vitas. Photo by MagicalPhotos.com / Mitchell Zachs
Alonzo Mourning with Elijah Mourning

Tracy Wilson Mourning & Betty Wright, Singer Songwriter

Honey Bugs Mistresses of Ceremonies, Yolanda Jiron & Quanthavia Stalworth; HOL MC, Television Anchor, Louis Aguirre

Yance Torres from Overtown Youth Center Towalame Austin President of Mourning Family Foundation and Tina Brown Executive Director of Overtown Youth Center

Ashley Grant; Yvette Morrell, Miami Heat Executive & Brianna Knight