How Miami's community comes together to support a vital cause
For over three decades, Amigos for Kids has been dedicated to preventing child abuse, making significant strides in South Florida through their community engagement, fundraising efforts, and innovative programs. One of the cornerstones of their work is the annual Amigos Night event, which brings together community leaders, celebrities, and supporters to raise vital funds for the organization’s initiatives.
Karina Pavone, the CEO, shared some incredible insights into the event’s success and the organization’s mission in an exclusive interview. According to Pavone, “Amigos for Kids has been dedicated to preventing child abuse for over three decades,” highlighting the organization's long-standing commitment to making a difference.
The power of Amigos Night
Amigos Night serves as a powerful platform to raise both funds and awareness for Amigos for Kids. Pavone explains how events like Amigos Night significantly contribute to their mission: “It shines a light on the mission of the organization and exposes the work that we do to so many new people. But also, it helps us to raise critical funds for the programs, our direct services programs that we have. So, it is a vital part of our fundraising strategy.”
The event, which features top-tier entertainment and a unique guest experience, is key to Amigos for Kids’ outreach efforts. It fosters community involvement, as “many of the people that support us throughout the year also support our event and sponsor our event. So, it is a way to celebrate the accomplishments and show the impact that their contributions have had.”
Culinary support: A heartfelt commitment
One of the most unique aspects of Amigos Night is the involvement of local restaurants and caterers. Pavone emphasizes, “The support we get from our culinary sponsors is incredible. They donate their time, resources, and energy on one of the busiest nights of the week for them.” These restaurants and caterers, including over 25 local vendors, donate their services to create a memorable experience for guests. “Many restaurants and caterers tell me that they don’t usually do pro bono events on a Saturday, but this is the only one they do, and that means a lot,” says Pavone, showing the deep community commitment that fuels the event.
This year, Amigos Night surpassed fundraising expectations, a testament to the event's success and its growing impact. “I think what contributed most is, of course, the dedication of our board, who are very instrumental in getting the word out there about our event and bringing potential sponsors to the organization,” says Pavone. In fact, one-third of the event's sponsors were new this year, a reflection of the board’s tireless outreach efforts.
Creating an unforgettable guest experience
The event's atmosphere is one of its biggest draws. Moving beyond traditional sit-down galas, Amigos Night is a free-flowing event where guests can network, eat, drink, and enjoy live entertainment. Pavone reflects on the event's evolution: “We wanted to elevate the event with a little more elegance, while still retaining the nostalgia of past events. The domino park, where people can enjoy playing dominoes, helps us maintain that connection to the event’s origins.”
Additionally, the black carpet and the attendance of numerous community leaders, celebrities, and influencers elevate the experience, making it an unforgettable night for all involved.
A vital role in fulfilling the mission
For Amigos for Kids, community engagement is at the heart of everything they do. Pavone highlights the importance of having elected officials, on-air personalities, and celebrities participate in the event, noting that it brings a level of “notoriety to the event and makes people curious about our mission.” She continues, “Whether it’s a celebrity or a volunteer, having engagement on any level is important for raising awareness about child abuse prevention.”
Looking ahead: Impact and expansion
The funds raised from Amigos Night support critical initiatives, such as Amigos Care, which provides support to families in crisis. “This program provides wraparound support and direct assistance to help families that are about to be evicted or who have their utilities shut off,” explains Pavone. Additionally, the organization can continue offering its after-school programs to nearly 200 under-resourced children at no cost, ensuring they receive the support and care they need.
The success of Amigos Night would not be possible without the involvement of key sponsors such as Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Bacardi, and Greenberg Traurig. Pavone speaks highly of their ongoing commitment, saying, “We've been very fortunate to have a longstanding partnership with Bacardi, and this year Seminole Hard Rock recommitted to another two years as our title sponsor.”
Raising awareness about child abuse
Despite the critical importance of child abuse prevention, raising awareness about this challenging issue can be difficult. “One of the ways we raise awareness is through our public awareness campaigns,” Pavone shares. One notable initiative was the “Missing Review” campaign, which used Yelp and Google reviews to post information about missing children. This creative approach helped bring attention to the issue in an innovative and impactful way. Additionally, the organization’s Child Safety Matters curriculum, which teaches kids to recognize red flags and advocate for themselves, is a cornerstone of their prevention efforts.
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