The annual Miami Shores Holiday Walk hosted by The Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association of The University of Miami was just held this past Sunday. I like to write about this particular event because it’s a true representation of community. I’ve been involved with the WCA for several years in different capacities and it’s incredible to see such a dedicated group of individuals put their hearts and souls into events like this one with proceeds going directly towards cancer research with absolutely no overhead.

The Holiday Walk is an annual event that has become a tradition in Miami Shores. This year it was the 18th year the association has hosted the event and you need to understand how it works. Planning starts the Summer before with committees set up to organize different aspects of the walk, from volunteers, to house selection, inventory, shopping, renderings, brochure design…….the list goes on.

Miami Shores comes together as a community for a few hours and the energy can be felt whether you are participating as a volunteer, as a home owner, a sponsor or as ticket holder. The most difficult task is getting the homes and our appreciation for those home owners is immense especially considering that they are opening their homes to about 500 guests. The walk alternates each year between Miami Shores East and West side and there’s transportation provided from one house to the next. Sponsorships vary from $2500 to $100 and they are included in the program as well as a display board in one of the homes. Every penny donated is appreciated and happy to announce that the preliminary numbers for this year’s Holiday Walk are already in excess of $23,000 with donations still pouring in.

This year I was honored with the task of completing the renderings for the 5 homes on the walk – and did pen and ink drawings of each.

It’s not too late to be part of it – if you would like to make a donation, please contact me or one of our members. My grattitude goes out to every single person that participated and attended and proud to be part of this community.

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Time to get involved!

SM4SC Miami will be held on November 19th, 2009 and all proceeds will go to support the efforts of The Camillus House. Remember that when times are tough, it is even more important that you give back and every little bit helps!

For more information please visit www.sm4sc.com/miami

What is SM4SC?

YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH THE TOOLS YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW

The social media world has proven that, though still a young and small community within a multitude of industries, we have the power to exact great change.

Social media has broken down walls and created conversations. IBM does product testing in Second Life. Old college classmates reunite on Facebook. Zappos does intra-office communication via Twitter. All great, paradigm shifting events.

But we believe something more is possible.

Something powerful that could help nonprofit organizations — organizations that struggle to keep their bottom line alive — get the support and recognition they need to help the families and individuals that depend on their efforts.

We want to use the tools that are helping businesses and companies grow to do something more than make a buck… we want them to make a difference.

Join with us in starting a movement that will bring individuals, startups, companies, corporations and the causes we value together to change the lives of those who need it most.

Can you help?

Make sure you check out the sm4sc blog to get more information and this awesome video by Meg Fowler (@megfowler) and Gradon Tripp (@gradontripp) to promote the event.

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The yearly Miami Country Day Walk for Cancer is this next Saturday, October 24th, 2009.  The Walk for Cancer has become a Miami Shores Tradition and is held at the school and organized by the Students.   Please come by and say hello, walk with us and help us raise money for Cancer Research.  Proceeds will benefit the Miami Shores Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association of the University of Miami.

The goal for this year is to raise $50,000.  The students have worked hard to get everything ready – from sponsorships to item sales and have even made personal goals which are posted on the field’s fence.  They got pumped during the Walk for Cancer Assembly and now it’s our turn to do our part.

NOTE:  The Walk begins at 8:00 AM.  Registration to walk is a minimum donation of $25.00.

I expect to see you there Saturday!

**take a look at what was accomplished this past week at Blogworld with the help of Twitter >> #beatcancer **

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Miami Country Day School has a yearly Walk for Cancer where proceeds go to the Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association of the University of Miami. 100% of that money goes towards cancer research and in many cases represents seed money used to start very important research and clinical trials to find a cure for cancer.

Today was the school’s kick-off assembly for the Walk for Cancer which will be held on Saturday, October 24th. The Walk not only represents selfless giving from the committed children, young adults and faculty at the school, but it has also become a Miami Shores Tradition.  Their goal this year is to raise $50,000 for the cause, so if you are reading this, please think about getting involved, or at least join us the day of the walk.  I think we can agree that cancer has touched our lives one way or another and the only way to make a difference is by taking action.

This year’s assembly was full of enthusiasm – from the Spartan Cheerleaders to singer Adriana Arce (@AdrianaArce305), Beep-Boxing and even an amazing group of “steppers” that did a number called “Walk the Walk”

Miami Country Day brought the reality of cancer to the assembly by inviting Dr. John Goldberg from The University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center – a pediatric oncologist who specializes in the early phase of clinical trials.  Dr. Goldberg explained how seed money is used to start research and how his team is responsible in many cases, for taking the lab research projects to clinical trials that give hope to real terminal patients -  in some cases even 5 week old infants with Leukemia.

As past president and active member of the Heidi Hewes Chapter of the WCA, I commend Miami Country Day and everyone involved because they are truly setting an example and making a difference.  Congratulations and good luck with The Walk for Cancer!

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The Temple House in South Beach is one of those “wow” houses you don’t see every day.  The largest single family home in South Beach with over 16,000 square feet of living space.  This house is amazing all on its own but when you hear its history, then you realize it is so much more than a big house.  Originally designed in 1933 by none other than famed architect L. Murray Dixon, converted into a temple in the 40′s, expanded in the 60′s by renowned architect Lester Avery and then converted back into a home in 2003 by the current owner, Dan Davidson.  This home defines South Beach Living with no expense spared – 30 foot ceilings in the 6,600 square foot great room, theater room, 1,200 square foot kitchen, state of the art lighting and audio system, new terrace pool with iridescent mosaics and waterfalls…..imposing and majestic.

1415 Euclid Avenue – Miami Beach, FL 33139

Listed for $7,500,000

Check out OwnTheWow.com

This impressive home is short of being a palace and located in the Art Deco District within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and beaches…right in the middle of the Chic South Beach Action.  The MLS description reads as follows:

The Temple House is South Beach’s largest private residence.  Steps to the beach, Lincoln Road and Lummus Park.  Over 16,000 SQ FT as per previous tax records.  This former synagogue was transformed into an ultra contemporary residential compound over a two year period.  Living quarters abound on both levels, 6,000+ SQ FT grand LOFT with approx. 30 foot high ceilings, 2.500+ SQ FT outdoor terrace, two car garage + parking for 3 additional vehicles.  Newly finished rooftop swimming pool!

You may recognize The Temple House from music videos, movies and television shows – it is a favorite amongst celebrities and popular shows because of its extraordinary features.  The owner’s charitable organization, The Miami Cultural Arts Foundation is also responsible for hosting fundraisers for local causes like the recent REBarCamp Miami that I helped organize (an educational event for the real estate industry with proceeds going to the foundation).

Here’s a video done for the event that features the home at its best:

Property Features:

• 16,350 square foot home
• 6,600 square foot great room with 30′ vaulted ceilings with polished concrete floors
• Newly finished rooftop swimming pool
• 5 bedrooms / 6 bathroom plus theater room
• 2,700 square foot loft room with entertaining “pre-kitchen” for catering/entertaining events
• 1,200 square foot dine-in kitchen
• 1,100 square foot mezzanine overlooking great room with Brazilian Cherry wood floors
• central air conditioning (new 50 tons of a/c)
• Impact resistant windows and doors
• state of the art lighting, audio, telephone and security systems
• 2 laundry facilities (one on each floor)

**property information courtesy of South East Florida Multiple Listing Service and Majestic Properties **

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The Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Woman’s Cancer Association of The University of Miami had their Annual Holiday Walk this past Sunday in Miami Shores. It was the 17th year that this event was held and has become a Miami Shores Community event and tradition. Five generous home owners opened up their homes on The East side of Miami Shores in order to make this event a total success.

As co-president of the organization (together with Robin Hechler), I have to tell you that i am so proud to be part of such an amazing event. The endless hours that go into the planning and preparation of the Holiday Walk is overwhelming, but with the help of all Heidi Hewes chapter members and with the help of the community, we were able to raise over $33,000! Think about this … $33,000 raised in a 3-hour event that go directly to cancer research and education with no overhead. The WCA is a 100% volunteer organization and every single penny raised goes to the fight against cancer.

Nora and Bill Tenney were the Chairs of the event and ran a smooth ship making sure all details were covered – delegating and coordinating is never an easy job, but the volunteers, the home owners, the sponsors and visitors make The Miami Shores Holiday Walk a tradition worth keeping and cherishing.

Thank you to everyone involved – your generosity is making a difference!

**I was a greeter at one of the homes this year and could not take “action photos” – if you have more photos, please send them and I will include them.**

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I believe that we can all make a difference.  I also believe that you need to give in order to receive.  The simple thought of being able to help another human being by giving so little runs chills down my spine.  I hope Rocky’s video moves you like it did me.  She is moving mountains and is an inspiration to many of us.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJuM92ZUriQ

Thank you Rocky for letting me be a part of this unbelievable project -- with a goal to put 10 girls into high school next 2009 school year.  Please check out Mothers Fighting for Others‘s  Gift of Education page to see how you can help!

Rocky Turner, the founder of MFFO, will be returning to Kenya in January to hand deliver all donations and pay for school fees personally. If you would like to help, you can send all donations to:

MFFO -- Gift of Education
27943 Seco Canyon RD #533
Santa Clarita, CA 91350

OR click below to donate through PayPal! Thank you in advance for your help!

If you like you can find out information about MFFO’s  non-profit status.

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Talk about an amazing program to support our troops!  eMail our Military is a Miami based company that is dedicated to helping us communicate with our troops and I encourage everyone to check out their website.

If you are like me and have no idea where to start and how to help and show support, whether you live in South Beach, Miami Beach or Miami Shores…..this will be perfect.  eMail our Military has a program right now to send Holiday Mail to our troops and everyone should take full advantage.

For 7 years, eMail Our Military (eMOM) has been supporting U.S. troops for the holidays through our Holiday Love™ campaign. Each year we receive thousands of cards both handmade and store bought, each one special in its own way.

This year we’d like to encourage you to help us send and show your support to our troops. It doesn’t matter if you’re a democrat, a republican or an independent – it’s not about politics. It’s about supporting those who volunteered to serve our great nation. We’re non-partisan and our members are from varying backgrounds and come from places all over the world. We come together here, at eMail Our Military, with one simple goal – to support our troops.

There are many ways to get involved from sponsoring to collecting mail to passing the word around.  Please take some time to visit eMail Our Military to see the different ways you can help and show support for our troops this holiday season.

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Miami Country Day School had their Walk for Cancer today in Miami Shores and raised

over $44,000 for cancer research!

The MCDS Walk for Cancer is one of Miami Shores’ community events that should make every resident proud and where kids, parents and teachers come together for a great cause – to fight cancer!

Proceeds from the walk go to The Heidi Hewes Woman’s Cancer Association of UM & The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As the co-president of The Heidi Hewes Woman’s Cancer Association of UM, I want to thank everyone for your had work.  It makes me proud to be part of this community – CONGRATULATIONS!

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I’m sure you check in here to read the latest on Miami Beach Real Estate and the surroundings, but today I’m asking you to do something different.

If every single one of us would take time to think about the less fortunate…..we could make a difference.

Take a moment to reflect about Poverty and do something about it – whether it is donating your time or money to a charity or actually getting down and dirty in the trenches.   Poverty is a complex issue, so please don’t think there’s nothing you can do…..because there is.

This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 – Poverty

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