Voices For Children Foundation, the fundraising arm of the 11^th Judicial Circuit Guardian and Litem Program, held its 2012 “Be a Voice, Build a Dream Gala,” on Saturday, January 14^th at Mandarin Oriental, Miami.

The magical evening began with cocktails, Padron Cigars and a silent auction.  Following the cocktail hour, guests were invited into the main ballroom for an evening of dinner and dancing to the music of DJ Bounce, along with entertainment and a live auction led by BIG 105.9 Radio’s Paul Castronovo and Co-Chair Jeff Berkowitz. Silent and live auctions included an assortment of unique items, such as: a one week internship at W magazine, lunch with a star from the hit BRAVO television series Real Housewives of Miami, a private in-home tasting for eight people with LOUIS XIII de Remy Martin, a role as an extra on the USA Network’s television show Burn Notice – Season 6, an exclusive dinner for four with Pulitzer Prize winning American author Dave Barry and a one night stay in the Dior Suite of the St. Regis, New York. Overall, the event raised almost 600,000 dollars for Voices For Children Foundation.

Co-chaired by Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz and Richard & Beth Tasca, this year’s event honored Paul & Swanee Dimare, influential leaders and inspiring philanthropists of the South Florida community, with the 2012 Humanitarian Award.  South Florida’s own CBS Channel 4 News Anchor, Shannon Hori, served as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremony.

Notable guests in attendance included Christian Slater and Top 5 contestant of American Idol Season 8 Matt Giraud, who entertained guests with a musical performance.

In addition to the Presenting Sponsor, Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Golden Fan Guardian Sponsors included the Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz Family Charitable Foundation, Coastal Construction Group, Mandarin Oriental, Miami and Total Bank. Oriental Guardian Sponsors include Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, Dunn Price & Axelrod LLP and Swire Properties Inc. Tai Pan Guardian Sponsors include Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant LLP, Paul & Swanee Dimare, Florida Power & Light, Susan & Jay Shapiro, the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund, Diane & Michael Rosenberg, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, The Continental Group and Susan and Tom Fuhrman and Printing Sponsor Greenberg Traurig.

www.BeAVoice.org