Haute Living, GEM And Carlos Ponce Celebrate Miami Cares For Puerto Rico

Lenny Hochstein, Lisa Hochstein, Kendall Woods & Michael Capponi
Lenny Hochstein, Lisa Hochstein, Kendall Woods & Michael Capponi

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Miami came together for a night of giving back as the Global Empowerment Mission, along with Carlos Ponce, Karla Dascal of The Sacred Space Miami, and Haute Livinghosted a “Miami Cares for Puerto Rico” fundraiser to aid the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Performers
Kertong/Medicine Music

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Guests enjoyed an evening of live entertainment from the start with a Kirtan/Medicine Music to set the mood, followed by beats from DJ Wasabi and a live performance by America’s Got Talent contestant Yoli Mayor in the stunning Sacred Space Miami private event area. Sips of Don Q Puerto Rican Rum and Notorious Pink Rosé were provided with passed bites from Shannon and Ray Allen’s Grown Organics. Toward the end of the evening, hosts Carlos Ponce and GEM founder Michael Capponi took the stage to thank everyone who helped make this special evening happen and kick off the live auction, which included the gorgeous backdrop of the event—a special Romero Britto Puerto Rican flag painting, which he made to honor this event.

Michael Capponi & Carlos Ponce Speaking3
Michael Capponi & Carlos Ponce Speaking

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Michael Capponi gave a heartfelt speech discussing his love for Miami and how the community always comes together in times of need due to tragedy, whether it be for 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Haiti and now Puerto Rico.

Carlos Ponce, Violet Camacho, Michael Capponi, Francisco Ponce, Jonathan Chariff, Ken Russell, Antonio Misuraca & Bobby Rodrigo Speaking
Carlos Ponce, Violet Camacho, Michael Capponi, Francisco Ponce, Jonathan Chariff, Ken Russell, Antonio Misuraca & Bobby Rodrigo Speaking

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

The evening was made all the more special by a generous donation from South Motors, who presented a check to the Global Empowerment Foundation for $25,000. All of the proceeds generated from the evening will go straight to the foundation, which is currently sending supplies over via private planes in real time as well as transporting those who urgently need to be evacuated.

Guests, Karla Dascal and Elysze Held
Guests, Karla Dascal and Elysze Held

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Bravo’s New York Housewife and philanthropist Bethenny Frankel is also working with the organization, in combination with her own, B Strong, to aid Puerto Rico with groups GEM, We Do Better and Third Wave Volunteers in their #pr911 group. Additional sponsors of the event included: C.com Group, Sacred Space,  Bubble Miami, Lifestyle Production Group and Karla Events.

Andrew Weissman, Seth Semilof, Antonio Misuraca, Gigi Spadei & Ronnie Vogel1
Andrew Weissman, Seth Semilof, Antonio Misuraca, Gigi Spadei & Ronnie Vogel

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Yoli Mayor Performing18
Yoli Mayor Performing

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Notorious Pink Rosé
Notorious Pink Rosé

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Don Q Rum
Don Q Rum cocktails

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Bobby Rodrigo, Antonio Misuraca & Michael Capponi
Bobby Rodrigo, Antonio Misuraca & Michael Capponi

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Carlos Ponce Speaking
Carlos Ponce Speaking

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Dj Wasabi Spinning
Dj Wasabi Spinning

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Performer
Performers

Photo Credit: World Red Eye