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Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund Gives Back

Posted on: Thursday, 29 November 2007, 18:00 CST

Some arrived by car. Others drove their personal golf cart.

No matter how they arrived, Wednesday night saw Fisher Island's finest show up to the infamous Vanderbilt Mansion and attend the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund Dinner where three local charities accepted checks totaling $95,000.

In its 14th year, the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund raised $605,000 to be dispersed among 12 local charities from the Children's Psychiatric Center to the Miami Inner City Angels. Last year, 136 families donated to the fund, a record-high since its genesis.

Mark James, President of the Fisher Island Community Association since April, says the warmth and generosity of the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund members is overwhelming.

"This organization represents the desire of the residents in Fisher Island to give something back. Even though many of them only live here a few months out of the year, they're fully engaged in community affairs, and this is their way of demonstrating that commitment to the community," James said. "The passion they have for supporting these groups represents the best of Fisher Island and its true character."

Fisher Island, built in the 1920s as a secluded haven for the Vanderbilt family, is comprised of some of the most affluent South Florida residents. The intention of the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund is to use that reputation to garner donations and provide financial support to at-risk youth and children's charities in Miami-Dade County. The non-profit organization orchestrates a number of small events throughout the year, where grants--and sometimes even boats--are presented to those in need.

Chairman Eugene Gitin, who has actively participated in the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund for 12 years, claims the group's success is due in part to Allocations Chairman Barry Goldin who selects the charity organizations and divvies up the funds accordingly. Gitin adds the money raised is creating positive changes in the community by providing an entire computer laboratory for the Boys and Girls Club of Miami Beach and scholarships for both parents and children at the Association for Retarded Citizens.

"We try to support small agencies or smaller units of larger organizations so we can see and feel what our money provides," Gitin said. "There's such a sense of accomplishment to see a child have experiences that otherwise wouldn't be possible."

After more than 100 members and guests enjoyed the buffet dinner, three checks were presented to the Family Resource Center of North Miami, St. Francis Xavier School in Overtown and the Urban League of Greater Miami.

T. Willard Fair, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Miami, was on-hand to accept the $50,000 donation. Fair has been active in the community for 43 years, claiming he desegregated every remaining segregated institution in Miami. He says the Urban League of Greater Miami has received more than $100,000 from the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund over the last nine years.

"[The members] are absolutely fantastic humanitarians. They have used their good will to blaze the way for others to give, and that's been a tremendous value to us," Fair said. "They don't require unusual recognition such as others who may request their name on a building. They are quiet, low-key people, which lets me know their genuineness and sincerity."

Fair says this year's donation will fund Air Asthma Intervention and Relief, a new asthma program targeting the 27 percent of children who suffer from the chronic illness. It will also assist the Clara B. Knight Childhood Learning & Development Center, a 24-hour center that provides quality care for infants through age five.

"It costs X amount of dollars to provide these services, but we only get two-thirds back as reimbursement. If it weren't for the donations by the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund, we would be short and unable to offer the same quality of care to the children," Fair said.

As part of the check presentation, a small testimonial was heard by Raquel Hicks, a single mother rearing three young boys. Hicks spoke about the difficulties her children had in public school and how the scholarships funded by the Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund enables her children to attend St. Francis Xavier School, a small inner-city private school located in Overtown. Darius Hicks, her 11-year-old son, led the evening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

"My boys were struggling in school, and they were exposed to violence on a daily basis. I heard about St. Francis and the work they do," Hicks said, turning to the members. "I couldn't have done this without your financial support. Thank you Fisher Island Philanthropic Fund."

NOTE: Heather C. McCalla contributed to this press release.

Source: Business Wire

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