Lea Black and Heather MacDonald

On Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, Fisher Island Day School hosted its Annual Benefit Gala at the magnificent Palazzo del Mare on Fisher Island. Haute Living was a proud sponsor along with Grey Goose Vodka, Braman Motors, Pantry Liquors, Apollo Jets, and Neiman Marcus Coral Gables.

Fisher Island Day School is an independent co-educational day school that places an emphasis on positive approaches for children, celebrating the joy of learning, building self-esteem, preparing children for future schooling, responsible citizenship in an ethically and religiously diverse world, and ongoing learning to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. The tax-deductible donations raised at the gala benefited the FIDS Annual Fund. This fund goes to extend reduced tuition scholarships for children in the community who are less privileged and otherwise would not be able to attend the school.

With the Red Carpet rolling out at 6:30 p.m., guests began the evening with hors d’oeuvres while sipping cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka before dinner. The event included a performance by comedienne Heather McDonald, the evening’s MC and a regular guest star on the E! Television hit Chelsea Lately. Other guests included South Florida notables including Brian Neff, Romero Britto, Adriana De Moura and Lea and Roy Black of the Real Housewives Miami, philanthropists Jim Ferraro, Ken Harte and Lori Ferrell.

To benefit this great cause, guests took their turn in the casino and bid in a silent auction or, for those a bit bolder, a live auction of a 2011 Bentley Mulsanne with the buyer’s premium benefiting the school. Guests marveled at acrobatic performances, took in a fashion show featuring KaufmanFranco and the “best of” several top designers, and danced the night away.

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