Annual Gala 2025 News Release

The Golden Age Gala - A 1925 Soiree (logo)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empowering College Scholarships at ‘The Golden Age Gala’ with 1925 Theme

Coral Gables Community Foundation Celebrates City’s Centennial;
Packed with Surprises, Delights for 400 Local Donors and Community Leaders

CORAL GABLES, FL (November 2, 2025) — The Coral Gables Community Foundation marked its most successful gala to date with The Golden Age Gala: A 1925 Soirée, held Friday, October 17th at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

Co-chaired by Ashley Cusack and Danielle Gonzalez, this year’s sold-out black-tie event paid tribute to Coral Gables’ centennial and the elegance of 1925—inviting guests to step into a world of Art Deco glamour, vintage cocktails, and jazz-age energy. Proceeds from the evening benefited the Foundation’s Scholarship Fund, which awarded 207 scholarships totaling $3.25 million earlier this year, along with community grants and civic programs.

Guests were welcomed with a live jazz quartet and vintage ambience setting the scene. The evening featured high-energy entertainment by Danny Beck Entertainment, a curated dinner, surprise performance by UM’s a capella group BisCaydence, and a spirited live auction offering luxury experiences such as a Silversea Cruise to anywhere in the world, and a Miami Heat Skybox.

The 2025 Gala Honorees represented the legacy, generosity, and civic spirit upon which the City Beautiful was built—and how it continues to evolve today:

  • Legacy Award: Ambassador Sue and Ambassador Chuck Cobb, presented by Alan T. Dimond on behalf of Greenberg Traurig
  • Philanthropy Award: Sheldon and Florence Anderson, presented by the Community Foundation
  • Education Award: Michael Alessandri, Ph.D., presented by the Community Foundation
  • Community Award: Sissy DeMaria Koehne, presented by the Community Foundation
  • Health & Wellness Award: KIDZ Medical Services, presented Alex Villoch on behalf of Baptist Health 
  • Gables Beautiful Award: Alirio & Dorys Torrealba, presented by the Community Foundation

“This remarkable group honors the past 100 years of Coral Gables while building toward our future,” said Mauricio Vivero, President and CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “As someone honored to lead this community-focused organization, I can’t wait to celebrate these champions at my first Foundation gala.”

Ashley Cusack, co-chair of the event, added: “The Golden Age Gala dazzled guests with exceptional entertainment, exquisite cuisine, and the timeless glamour of the 1920s. It was an unforgettable evening that captured everything we love about Coral Gables—its history, elegance, and heart.”

With record-breaking attendance and donations, – and fantastic fashion for the history books – The Golden Age Gala set a new high watermark for the Foundation’s 34-year fundraising tradition. Thanks to the generosity of guests, sponsors, and supporters, the Foundation will be able to expand its scholarships and community programs in 2026.

This year’s event wouldn’t have reached Centennial proportions without the record-setting, generous sponsors of the The Golden Age Gala.

  • Gilded Sponsors: Greenberg Traurig and Mosaicist.
  • Marquee Sponsors: Knight Foundation and HEICO Corporation.
  • Corporate Sponsors: Amerant Bank; Ashley Cusack Team; Baptist Health; Coral Gables Trust; Belmont Village Senior Living Coral Gables; EPGD Business Law; Evensky & Katz/Foldes Wealth Management; Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables; MG Developer; Mosaicist; Ryder; Williamson Cadillac; Bacardi; Don Q; The Plaza Coral Gables; Arcano; Ciao Havana; Zucca.
  • Gala Patrons: Bacardi; Neptune Cold Storage; Heather Hewitson; Jensen’s Liquors; Pantry Liquors; Cynthia Demos Communications.
  • Media Partners: Coral Gables Magazine, Miami Herald and Miami’s Community Newspapers.

Established in 1991, the Coral Gables Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization at the heart of charitable giving in Coral Gables. The Foundation is dedicated to driving impactful philanthropy that enhances the quality of life in the community and serves as a trusted partner for donors who wish to make a lasting difference.

Through both its unrestricted funds—such as the Community Giving Fund and the Scholarship Fund—and its many donor-advised and other restricted funds, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.3 million in scholarships and grants in 2025, and over $20 million since its founding.

The Foundation’s upcoming events include the Vinos at The Plaza Wine Auction on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and the Tour of Kitchens on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

To learn more about how to partner with the Coral Gables Community Foundation, call 305-446-9670 or visit www.GablesFoundation.org.

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