By Bari Auerbach

Hundreds of business and community leaders recently joined in “sail-ebrating” the mission of the Anchors Away Foundation when the City of Sunny Isles beach hosted an Aventura Marketing Council breakfast meeting at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort.

The Anchors Away Foundation, chaired by Aventura Commissioner Billy Joel, in cooperation with Miami-Dade Public Schools and a dedicated crew of benefactors helps children with cognitive and physical disabilities learn to sail and set a course for success in the marine industry.

AMC Chair Cliff Schulman of Greenberg Traurig, an Anchors Away board member, launched the event by introducing Sunny Isles Beach leaders including Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Commissioner Roslyn Brezin and City Manager Rick Conner. Dr Jayne Greenberg, Executive Director of Physical Education and Health Literacy for Miami-Dade Public Schools along with Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and Assistant Superintendent Enid Weisman were also on deck to share in “sail-ebrating” the success of Anchors Away.
 
“About five years ago, Dr. Jayne Greenberg came to the Aventura Marketing Council to share her excitement about a new marine academy,” Comm. Joel explained. “Her dream was to teach disabled kids how to sail on their own while learning science, math and life skills.

“Our third Anchors Away launch marked the addition of 14 new boats to our fleet - bringing the total to 29…Last month, we ordered three more and on Thursday, October. 22, 10 a.m. at Oleta River State Park, we will hold our fourth  launch…The Anchors Away program is a perfect example of the partnership between Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the private business sector.”

Dr. Greenberg added, “It’s been great watching the Anchors Away program expand…It has now been adopted in New South Wales, Singapore and will soon be launched in China. Our waters sports manual is also being used as a model in London for the 2012 Olympics.”

During the meeting it was announced the City of Sunny Isles Beach will be sponsoring a boat christened “Florida’s Riviera” – and two more boats have been purchased thanks to chiropractor Dr. David Muransky and Belina Nagar of ORNA Security and Camera Services.   

More accolades were extended to Anchors Away lead sailing instructor David Diamond for his contributions as well as North Miami Beach Sr. High student Kathryn Guevara, heralded as a “role model” who has been “sailing with a smile” for the past several years.

Highlighting flagship Sunny Isles Beach amenities, Mayor Edelcup and Ibis Romero, director  of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, encouraged everyone to see the city’s K-8 pubic school which earned an “A grade” its first year; Pelican Community Park; an abundance of streetscape improvements including lush landscaping; and the Visitor Center now open at Government Center.

Exciting coming attractions include even more city parks coming to the south end of the city and Sunny Isles Boulevard; plus the second annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest presented Oct. 16-18 in conjunction with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, benefitting Joshua’s Heart Foundation - assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival.  The event will be featuring the world-renowned Neville Brothers as well as notable local jazz artists and several illustrious music groups from major universities around the South Florida area.

This year’s official festival poster will be designed by local, Neo-pop artist, Ed King, who transforms his view of the world into imaginative artwork. Corporate sponsorship for the 2009 Jazz Fest is available at different levels. All major sponsors will receive broad national and regional media recognition through an integrated media marketing campaign as well as a national/international public relations campaign. For more information about the Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest, or for corporate sponsorship information, email Ibis Romero at ibis@sibfl.net, visit sunnyislesbeachjazz.com  or phone: 305-947-5826.

Before it was time to sail away, Superintendent Carvalho commended everyone involved with the Anchors Away program and created even more cause for “sail-ebration” by reporting good news about balancing the budget and committing to co-sponsor a boat.

Then, Krop Sr. High student Natalia Sulca sang an inspirational rendition of “Break Away,” expressing how the Anchors Away Foundation, with support from generous sponsors such as the City of Sunny Isles Beach, “gives wings” to challenged children:  “I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly; I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky; I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change and breakaway.”

For more information about becoming an Anchors Away sponsor, phone: 305-932-5334