The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Hearts & Stars Gala Goes 007 for a Night of Glamour and Giving
The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s 13th Annual Hearts & Stars Gala will take place on Saturday, March 4th, 2023, in Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza. All proceeds from this spectacular event will benefit LLF’s mission of supporting children and families across South Florida facing educational, financial, and medical hardship.
Guests are invited to dance the night away at this James Bond themed celebration, featuring a special performance by Wyclef Jean. Jenise Fernandez, six time Emmy Award winning anchor and reporter for Local 10 News, will host the evening. The night includes five hours of open bar service featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Patrón Tequila Blanco, Cazadores Blanco Tequila, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light NEXT, and Antica Fratta and Victoria Cuvée from Tita Italian Wine and Delicatessen, alongside sparkling water from LaCroix and still water from Fiji. Since James Bond loved to travel and sample cuisine from around the world, this year’s gala will feature a curated selection of dishes inspired by his global adventures, with bites from some of South Florida’s top restaurants, including Coyo Taco, Delicious Caterer, CHICA, World Famous House of Mac, Italica Midtown, Calista, Casa Bufala, Piacere Pizza, and Potions in Motion, all paired with an over the top production designed to give guests a truly unforgettable night.
A Night Worthy of 007
This year’s gala will feature a special casino activation inspired by James Bond’s visit to Cuba’s Gran Casino Nacional in Die Another Day, complete with live casino games for raffle tickets, a vintage bar courtesy of Bacardi, and a silent auction featuring James Bond memorabilia provided by Whip Fundraising. Much like stepping into Kamal Khan’s palace in central India, guests will make their way into the Tito’s Martini Lounge, where they can choose from four authentic Bond inspired martinis, including the Vesper from Casino Royale. Inside the exclusive Aroma360 VIP area, guests will find the Aroma360 bar alongside a Calvisius Caviar Station sponsored by Tita Italia, serving one full kilo of caviar with a street value of $12,000. The caviar station opens promptly at 10:15 PM, a moment no self respecting Bond fan will want to miss.
What continues to set the Hearts & Stars Gala apart year after year is not simply the scale of its production, but how seamlessly that spectacle serves the cause behind it. Every themed detail, from the martini selections to the casino tables, is designed not just for entertainment but to draw guests deeper into an evening where generosity feels as natural as celebration, ensuring the fantasy of the night never overshadows its very real purpose.
Before the evening concludes, The Little Lighthouse Foundation’s Shining Light Award will be presented to Gale Nelson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, recognizing him as a community member who embodies the spirit of philanthropy and meaningfully furthers LLF’s mission. LLF will also present its Corporate Partner Award to World Red Eye in recognition of its ongoing support.
About The Little Lighthouse Foundation
Founded in 2010, The Little Lighthouse Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting underserved children and families throughout South Florida. LLF operates more than twenty proprietary programs across thirty three partner facilities, including homeless shelters, hospitals, and youth centers. Programs include Adopt a Meal at Ronald McDonald House, Activity Hour, Story Hour, and Move and Groove at Chapman Partnership, and Craft Night and Beauty All Around at Lotus House, among many others. LLF also hosts annual specialty programs serving hundreds of children and families at a time, bringing together hundreds of volunteers for events including Back to School, the Children’s Halloween Party, and Holiday Toy Distribution. Most recently, LLF received the Jan Pfeiffer Distinguished Service Award at the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 97th Annual Gala, along with the Key to the City from the City of Miami Beach in recognition of its volunteer efforts.
About the Hearts & Stars Gala
Proceeds from the Hearts & Stars Gala benefit The Little Lighthouse Foundation and its programming. To attend, guests are required to make a donation to the foundation, currently set at $200, with prices set to increase.
For tickets, please visit HeartsAndStarsGala.com.
