Estefans Celebrate Hispanic Unity’s 30th Anniversary at Noche de Estrellas Gala

CONTACT: Josie Bacallao
jbacallao@hispanicunity.org
Mobile: 954-683-2028

F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

Estefans Celebrate Hispanic Unity’s 30th Anniversary at Noche de Estrellas Gala

October 28, 2013 - HOLLYWOOD, FL – Celebrities and community leaders will be gracing Hispanic Unity of Florida’s 30th Anniversary Gala and fundraiser Noche De Estrellas, on Saturday, September 22nd, at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida (3555 South Ocean Drive), beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Among the evening’s highlights will be Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees and international superstars, Emilio and Gloria Estefan.   

The black-tie festivities will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction packed with 100-plus entertainment and travel items, followed by a four-course dinner. The evening’s program includes Masters of Ceremony, WSVN/Channel 7 News’ dynamic newscasters Craig Stevens and Belkys Nerey, an awards program, and dancing until midnight with the high-energy beats of Charanga Tipica Tropical.

Tickets to the Noche de Estrellas Gala are $200 per person, are available online at www.hufevents.org and include a cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment. All proceeds benefit Hispanic Unity and its mission of empowering South Florida’s diverse community to become self- sufficient and lead productive lives. 

The Noche de Estrellas Gala is the agency’s largest annual fundraiser. Last year more than 850 guests attended in support of the agency’s 21 programs and services.

“This year’s Noche de Estrellas Gala represents a milestone for us,” said President and CEO, Josie Bacallao, “We are celebrating 30 years of service to the community.  Our theme this year “Illuminating Lives” is a tribute to the 327,000 clients who have come through our doors and recognition to the community leaders and funders who have partnered with us to make our work possible.”    

This year’s award honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees – Emilio and Gloria Estefan – International superstars, philanthropists and Emmy winners Emilio and Gloria Estefan are known for their musical talent but also for their successful film, recording and production company. The accolades are numerous. Emilio Estefan, founder of the Miami Sound Machine, is a savvy entrepreneur, music producer, Latin Grammy Award winner and author. Gloria Estefan, the “Queen of Latin Pop”, is among the top 100 best-selling music artists of all time; she has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and has won seven Grammy Awards.

Both have been generous philanthropists – in South Florida and in the hemisphere. From the post-Hurricane Andrew relief concert in 1992 to raising awareness on the future creation of the National Museum of the American Latino, their generosity is influential and far-reaching.

Individual Amigos Award Recipient – Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR – She symbolizes the American Dream. Janet Murguía has devoted her life to public service and to ensuring that the American Dream remains accessible to all American families. She is a distinguished national leader in the Latino community, and continues this mission as President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.

Corporate Amigos Award Recipient – AT&T - Currently, a leader in the modern telecommunications industry.  AT&T’s mission includes a worthy charitable commitment. In 2011, AT&T contributed more than $115 million through its corporate, employee and Foundation giving programs, donated more than 6 million volunteer hours and, in 2012, will expand its planned giving to $250 million.

The Luminary hosts are special ambassadors who support the Noche de Estrellas Gala.  This year we include: Adolfo Cotilla, ACAI & Associates, Inc.; Anna Fornias, Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale;  
Arthur Costa, BB&T;  Bob Birdsong, OK Generators;  Bob Swindell, Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance;   Bruce Hecker, Sabadell United;  Carolina Maluje, Esq., Law Offices of C. Carolina Maluje, P.A.;   Catalina Avalos, Tripp Scott;  Cathy Aguirre, Coventry Health Care;  Dr. Jonathan Levine, Lauderdale Surgical Specialists, PA  & Dina Bellows, CPA.;  Dr. C. Roberto Palma, MyLooks;  Dr. Nilda Peragallo, University of Miami School of Nursing;  Dr. Ramon Garcia, Ana G. Mendez University System;   Dr. Ron Giffler, FirstPath Labs;  Drs. Gabriel Valle & Carlos Bejar, The Kidney Group of South Florida;  Hayxa Escobar, Gables Engineering;   John Hart, Hart Consulting Group, LLC;  Juan Carlos Arias, Esq., Law Offices of Carlos A. Velasquez, P.A.;  Juliet Roulhac, FPL; Justin Santangelo, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network;  Lily Pardo, WSVN-Channel 7;   Lorena Mastrarrigo, Esq., Broward County Hispanic Bar Association;   Maria Antonietta Diaz, GBS Group, Inc.;  Maria Elena Ferrer, City National Bank; Maria Soldani, The Soldani Group;  Mario Cartaya, Cartaya and Associates Architects;   Mary and Winn J. Soldani, III;  Milin Espino, Memorial Healthcare System;   Nydia Menendez, Esq., Menendez & Cuetos, PL;  Peter Ince, The Paradies Shops; Rosary Plana Falero, BankUnited; Tom Loffredo, GrayRobinson, P.A.;  Vivian M Suarez, State Farm Insurance;

Hispanic Unity of Florida acknowledges the generosity of this year’s Noche De Estrellas sponsors including:
American Airlines; Ana G. Mendez University Systems;  AT&T, Broward Health,  Citrix,  Cleveland Clinic of Florida;  Comcast; Coventry Health Care of Florida;  Hospice of Palm Beach County;  Humana;  JM Family Enterprises/SE Toyota Distributors; JPMorgan Chase,  Ken Brown and Elizabeth Sanjuan; Maroone, an AutoNation Company; MasTec;  Memorial Health Care System;  Miami Diver LLC;  Montero Law Center;  Northwestern Mutual;  Nova Southeastern University; State Farm; Target; Ultimate Software;  WSVN-Channel 7;  Zambrano Family LTD; and Zambrano Foundation.

Table Sponsors:  American Express; ANF Group, Inc.;  AXA Advisors LLC;  Baptist Health South Florida;  Florida Blue - Blue Cross Blue Shield;  Broward College / FAU;  BSO;  Citrus Health Network;  Ernst & Young;  Estefan Enterprises, Inc.;  Florida Community Bank; HealthSun Health Plans;  Holy Cross Hospital;  KPMG; Preferred Care Partners; Travel Leaders Group, LLC;  Publix;  Sunshine State Health Plan;  TD Bank;  VISA;  VITAS Innovative Hospice Care;  and Zeno Office Solutions.

Media Partners: Clear Channel; Comcast; Ciudad Weston; El Venezolano Broward; Portada Florida; Salud al Dia; Selecta Magazine; enUSA , Univision 23; and WSVN-Channel 7.

Hispanic Unity wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary in-kind donations of: Bacardi USA; Comcast; Michael Murphy Photography; Panache; Pieces of Jamaica (DavidiPhoto) and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.

For more information on obtaining tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.hufevents.org or contact Wendy DeLucca at 954-646-5403.

ABOUT HISPANIC UNITY

Hispanic Unity was founded 30 years ago by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today this nonprofit provides assistance through 21 programs - in three languages - to Broward’s diverse community.  Hispanic Unity remains the county’s largest agency dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. In 2011, the agency served 20,000+ clients, from toddlers to adults. The agency offers assistance in six Broward County sites. Its mission is: Empowering Hispanics and other members of the community to become self-sufficient civically engaged and lead productive lives.  
For more information visit www.hispanicunity.org, or call 954-964-8884 ext. 216