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Heat Host 14th Annual Miami Heat Charitable Fund Gala

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Miami Heat Charitable Fund Gala Shines Bright with “Hoops and High Fashion” Theme.

Heat players, Team President Pat Riley and Rick Ross chime in.

January 22nd, 2023

The 14th Annual Miami Heat Charitable Fund Gala, themed “Hoops and High Fashion,” took center stage at the glamorous Kaseya Center. Hosted by esteemed philanthropists Micky and Madeleine Arison, alongside iconic Heat figures Pat and Chris Riley, the exclusive fundraising event was a night to remember, blending star power, style, and a commitment to giving back.

The gala played host to the entire 2023-24 Miami HEAT team, treating attendees to a culinary experience provided by Smith & Wollensky and a soulful performance by six-time Grammy-nominated R&B group En Vogue.

A live auction added an extra layer of excitement, featuring sought-after items such as exclusive tickets to the 2024 NBA In Season Tournament and an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris in 2024.

“Hoops and High Fashion” wasn’t just a celebration; it was an immersive experience where the worlds of basketball and high-fashion evening wear seamlessly merged. Guests had the privilege of mingling with HEAT players, coaches, and celebrities, enjoying cocktails and dancing, all while contributing to the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund’s noble cause.

The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund is committed to making a positive impact on at-risk families in South Florida, supporting initiatives such as Jackson Memorial Foundation Angels for Holtz Children’s Hospital, SafeSpace (a domestic violence prevention center for women and children), Dedication to Community, and Home Strong. Since its inception in 2006, the gala has raised an impressive total of over $11 million, significantly aiding these crucial programs.

As the night concluded, the 14th Annual Miami Heat Charitable Fund Gala stood as a testament to the power of sports, fashion, and philanthropy uniting for the greater good, leaving a lasting impact on the South Florida community.

  • Alonzo Mourning chats during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Miami HEAT Charitable Fund. Photo by George Nassif

  • Caleb Martin chats during Miami HEAT Charitable Fund. Photo by George Nassif

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. chimes in during Miami HEAT Charitable Fund. Photo by George Nassif

  • Miami HEAT Charitable Fund. Photo by George Nassif

  • Miami HEAT Charitable Fund. Photo by George Nassif

  • Duncan Robinson chimes in during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Rick Ross chimes in during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Miami Heat play-by-play announcer Eric Reid during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Thomas Bryant during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Cole Swider during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Bam Adebayo during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Nikola Jović during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

  • Kevin Love chimes in during the 14th Annual Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Gala

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

Community Outreach

Goodwill South Florida Becomes the New House of Halloween

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Goodwill South Florida Turns Up the Spook Factor with DIY Costumes, Haunted Bargains and a Mission That Gives Back.
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Community Outreach

From Purrs to Preservation: South Florida Nonprofits Making Lasting Impact

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Saving Lives, Preserving Legacies and Building Community: PURRR Adoption, Jewish Family Home Care, Stranahan House, and Broward Children’s Center Lead the Way in South Florida. (more…)

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Community Outreach

Miami Shines for the Luminous Advocacy Project

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The Light Up the Night Gala brought stars, changemakers, and supporters together for a magical evening dedicated to breast health awareness.


September 28, 2025

Miami knows how to throw a party with a purpose, and on Friday, September 26, the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden bloomed into The Enchanted Garden for Luminous Global’s 4th Annual Light Up the Night Gala. The evening was equal parts glamour and heart, with guests arriving in style to support a mission that is transforming breast health awareness.

Supermodel and Real Housewives of New York original star Kelly Killoren Bensimon turned heads on the pink carpet, where she was joined by Luminous Global founder and CEO Marylin Dans and Florida House Representative Fabian Basabe. The arrivals set the tone for a night that was as celebratory as it was meaningful.

Inside the garden-inspired ballroom, the setting was pure magic. Guests sipped champagne beneath twinkling lights, live music floated through the air, and conversations flowed as advocates, changemakers, and community leaders came together. The energy of the room made it clear that this was not just another Miami gala. It was a gathering of people determined to make a difference.

The program honored this year’s awardees whose dedication to advocacy continues to shape the future of breast health. Their stories brought both smiles and tears, reminding everyone of the power of education, awareness, and early action. Proceeds from the evening directly supported The Luminous Advocacy Project, a nonprofit focused on promoting early detection, advancing education, and ensuring women everywhere have access to equitable medical care.

Highlights of the Evening

Guests were introduced to Luminous, the first breast familiarity tool designed to give users a visual reference of their own breast health. Presented as an app and awareness lifestyle guide, it helps women and men build consistent habits for self-familiarity. Luminous does not replace medical exams but complements them by empowering people to recognize changes early.

The gala also spotlighted the organization’s global outreach efforts. Upcoming missions include Medical Mission Honduras 2025: Pathway to Wellness, where volunteers and medical professionals will bring diagnostic care, health education, and vital breast health services to underserved communities abroad.

On the educational side, guests learned about the project’s commitment to spreading awareness through multilingual resources and school outreach programs, ensuring that communities both local and international have the knowledge they need to take charge of their health. The initiative’s vision also includes working toward FDA Class III approval for its device, a milestone that would make this technology more widely available.

A Night That Truly Glowed

By the time the music quieted and the last glasses were raised, it was clear that the night had lived up to its name. The gala was beautiful, it was fun, and it carried a glow of hope that left everyone inspired. Guests walked away with more than memories of an enchanting evening. They carried with them the reminder that awareness is action, and that together, Miami’s community can shine a light on change.

To learn more about The Luminous Advocacy Project click HERE!

@brightshotsbybri

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Hope Unite International Expands Its Mental Health Initiatives

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Ann Storck Center’s 28th Annual Celebrity Chefs Event

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Taste of the NFL Makes Huge Impact

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GENYOUth AND TASTE OF THE NFL INCREASE ACCESS TO 148 MILLION SCHOOL MEALS, FOSTERING NUTRITION SECURITY AMONG STUDENTS NATIONWIDE.

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