MIAMI, March 16 – On Saturday, March 14th, the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund raised over $1,100,000 at its benefit “Black Tie on Ocean Drive” presented by HUBLOT. This year’s gala was hosted at The Betsy-South Beach and featured a performance by seven-time Grammy award winner, Toni Braxton. HEAT Managing General Partner Micky Arison, his wife Madeleine, HEAT President Pat Riley, his wife Chris, the 2014-15 Miami HEAT team and Head Coach Erik Spoelstra were in attendance. The gala’s cocktail hour was hosted on world-renowned Ocean Drive, which was closed to vehicular traffic. This was the first time the event was hosted in a semi-public venue, which gave HEAT fans the opportunity to see their favorite Miami HEAT players arrive via a red carpet entrance in front of the Betsy. Over 175 guests attended the ultra-exclusive event sporting their elegant Black Tie attire.
Miami HEAT Television Host and Courtside Reporter Jason Jackson conducted a spirited live auction, which included a limited edition ClassicFusion Dwyane Wade HUBLOT timepiece, a VIP, all expenses paid trip to the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend, and a collection of exclusive Miami HEAT Experiences dubbed “My Favorite Things.” HEAT President Pat Riley spontaneously pledged a $5,000 donation to the team’s Home Strong military initiative and encouraged guests to follow suit. Those impromptu pledges alone raised $75,000. Three additionalDwyane Wade Classic Fusion timepieces, which HUBLOT offered to engrave with “#HEAT Lifer,” were also auctioned for $30,000 apiece.
The evening’s Black Tie theme was inspired by the team’s Black Tie uniform, which was unveiled earlier in the season. Black Tie marries the concepts of athletics and basketball to elegance and fashion amid the iconic backdrop of South Beach. R&B songstress Toni Braxton opened with “You’re Making Me High” while Co-Captains Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem ushered her onto the stage where she was joined by the entire team. Braxtonalso performed mega hits “Un-Break My Heart,” “You Mean the World To Me,” and “Breathe Again,” as well as “Where Did We Go Wrong,” from her recent Grammy award winning album. Gabrielle Union and Paije Speights, Mario Chalmers’ girlfriend, joined Braxton on stage to sing “Another Sad Love Song.”
“For seven years, we have hosted this intimate gathering where our guests join our players, coaches and their families for a special experience,” said HEAT President, Pat Riley. “Bringing the event to Ocean Drive in South Beach resulted in a unique and very memorable evening. The best part is that we raised quite a bit of money for the MiamiHEAT Charitable Fund and its beneficiaries.”
Moet Hennessy donated a variety of their products while local iconic steakhouse Smith & Wollensky once again provided all of the food for the event. The Betsy-South Beach donated the cocktail hour food and refreshments. Aventura Limo provided transportation and Metro Signs provided all event signage.
About The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund
The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund was established in 1997 and is comprised of the Miami HEAT players, coaches, wives and staff. Establishing its presence in the South Florida community, the HEAT “family” has been able to generate critical dollars through unique fundraising programs for the betterment of at risk families. The primary beneficiaries from this event are Jackson Memorial Foundation’s Guardian Angels, which supports the Holtz Center for seriously ill children, SafeSpace, a domestic violenceshelter for women and their children, the Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community, a broadly based community organization committed to reducing the problems of drug abuse, addiction, and directly related socialissues and Home Strong, which provides aid, supports, and honors members of the U.S. military.