CREW-MIAMI HOSTS “COCKTAILS, COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS” BENEFITING WOMEN’S FUND OF MIAMI-DADE

Miami’s premier commercial real estate organization for women and men raises
more than $78,000 for education and mentoring programs

MIAMI – (November 2006) –Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)-Miami chapter recently hosted its annual “Cocktails, Community and Connections” fall networking reception at Miami’s historic Freedom Tower. The event raised more than $78,000 for the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade, a non-profit organization benefiting women and girls throughout the county.

Proceeds from the reception and silent auction will support projects serving women and girls in the community via Women's Fund grants to be awarded in January 2007. These grants will empower women in Miami-Dade through education and mentoring programs, skills improvement to increase employability, increased access to healthcare and increased access to affordable and sustainable housing.

“The success of this event came from the thoughtfulness of CREW-Miami members and the strong support of our sponsors,” said Danet Linares, vice president of leasing and marketing for the Bank of America Tower at International Place, and a committee chair for CREW-Miami. “We are truly grateful for and supportive of the efforts the Women’s Fund has made over the years to help women and young girls in our community.”

More than 500 CREW-Miami members and guests attended, and participated in a silent auction that featured over 50 items including Super Bowl XXXI memorabilia, a Romero Britto print, Sony Ericsson Open tennis tickets, a two-night cruise to the Bahamas, and lunch with Congresswoman Carrie Meek.
Auction items were donated by some of Miami’s most prestigious venues, such as: The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Eden Roc Renaissance Resort & Spa Miami Beach, Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky and the New World Symphony. Participating sponsors included: Blue Capital USA, owners of the landmark Bank of America Tower at International Place; Akerman Senterfitt Attorneys at Law; Latin Builders Association, Inc. (LBA); Bank of America; Wachovia Financial Center and Terra Group.

About CREW-Miami:
CREW-Miami is the local chapter of CREW Network, the association of choice for successful women and men in the commercial real estate industry. CREW Network and its local chapters exist to help their members excel in the commercial real estate industry by providing networking, business development opportunities, and professional education. The group is a national leader for CREW and plays a significant role in spearheading programs, such as CREW Careers, an innovative program for high school girls, which presents them with hands-on exposure to careers in commercial real estate.

About Women’s Fund Miami-Dade:
Women's Fund of Miami-Dade County is a catalyst for social change, creating a community where all women and girls reach their full potential. The organization’s grant making along with advocacy, training and community building are the key elements used to achieve our goals. The program is aims to empower women in Miami-Dade through education and mentoring programs, skills improvement to increase employability, increased access to healthcare and increased access to affordable and sustainable housing.

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