Ziff, a former optometrist, opened the first Sunglass Hut in 1971 as a freestanding kiosk in the Dadeland Mall. He expanded the brand before selling 75 percent ownership in the ‘80s for quite a hefty profit. When he sold his remaining stake a few years later, he chose to dedicate the rest of his life …

A philanthropic leader in high society, Wedderburn’s annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball generates more dollars and headlines each consecutive year with its “who’s who” guest list of affluent South Florida VIPs. In 2009, the 15th annual ball raised $1 million to support the foundation’s mission of granting wishes to terminally ill children. Recently, Wedderburn, tapped …

In 1989, when he was still in college, Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded Best Buddies International to foster relationships between those with intellectual disabilities and those without. It has since grown to have some 1,500 chapters around the world, positiviely impacting an estimated 700,000 people every year, a number that is set to grow in 2011 …

Miami-based socialite and author of Miami Herald column, “Steph Sez,” Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard keeps more than busy. The wonder woman uses all of her wonderful community ties to raise funds for causes dear to her heart. Topping her list of important charitable causes is The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and The Buoniconti Fund, the world’s …

He announced his retirement from the NBA in 2009, and it was shortly thereafter that the Miami Heat proclaimed that No. 33 would be the first number retired at the American Airlines Arena. He founded Alonzo Mourning Charities in 1997, which has since raised more than $7 million to benefit children and families, with a …