The Florida Marlins Community Foundation (FMCF) hosted its 3rd annual Fish 'N Chips Casino Party presented by Fox Sports Florida at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. The event raised $45,000 to benefit the Florida Marlins Community Foundation's Cornerstones for Kids programs and the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund.
Event co-chairs Fredi Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Jeff Conine were joined by coaches, players and an elite group of community leaders, celebrities and socialites for an evening of fun and stakes at the Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and Poker tables. A lush rose petal filled table with floating candle lights and orange rose pillars with baseballs seated on top, along with the tropical sounds of island music, Billy the Marlin and the Mermaids greeted guests as they entered the resort. The evening featured an array of hors d'oeuvres from The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca, Christine Lee's at Gulfstream Park, The Grill on the Alley, Ocean Prime, Sugar Fancies, Schakolad Chocolate Factory, Thira - A Taste of the Greek Islands and Bourbon Steak, cocktails courtesy of Premier Beverage, music, a Silent Auction filled with exciting items and a Tiffany & Co. "Mystery Box" wall.
Guests included Jeff Conine; Benito Santiago, original Marlins catcher; Charles Johnson, former Marlins player; Tommy Hutton, Rich Waltz, Craig Minervini, Cookie Rojas, FS Florida broadcasters; Dan Le Batard, 790 The Ticket on-air personality; "Stugotz", 790 The Ticket on-air personality; Lorenzo Hampton, former Dolphins player; Sean Hill, former Dolphins player; John Harris, former NFL player; Guillermo Benites, WLTV Channel 23/Univision; Jose Luis Napoles, WLTV Channel 23/Univision; John Morales, NBC6/WTVJ Chief Meteorologist; Steve Shapiro, WSVN Channel 7, Sports Broadcaster; Julia Yarbough, NBC6/WTVJ Anchor; Pete Garcia, FIU Athletic Director; Jim Morris, UM Head Baseball Coach. Marlins players included Jorge Cantu, Brett Carroll, Chris Coghlan, Brendan Donnelly, Nick Johnson, Cristhian Martinez, Dan Meyer, Ronny Paulino, Hanley Ramirez, Cody Ross, Brian Sanches, and coaches present included Manager Fredi Gonzalez, Pierre Arsenault, Steve Foster, Andy Fox, Bo Porter, Carlos Tosca and Jeff Urgelles.
"We were very excited to host Fish n' Chips in its 3rd consecutive year. It was a truly exceptional experience to be able to share this great event with our South Florida community," said Nancy Olson, Executive Director of the FMCF. "Thanks to the generous support of many, we are able to impact the lives of children in need," said Olson.
Sponsors making this evening possible include Fox Sports Florida; The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club; Tiffany & Co.; Premier Beverage; Florida Marlins LP; Calder Casino & Race Course; Marleen and Harold Forkas Alumni Center at FAU; Law Office of Bruce H. Freedman, P.A.; Thunder Electrical Contractors, Inc.; John Papa, D.C.; MD Now Urgent Care; Bar Rosso Restaurant & Vinoteca; Christine Lee's at Gulfstream Park; The Grill on the Alley; Ocean Prime; Sugar Fancies; Schakolad Chocolate Factory; Thira - A Taste of the Greek Islands; Bourbon Steak; Coca Cola; Corona Extra; Sabor Havana Cigars; Southern Audio Visual; Selecta Magazine; 790 The Ticket and Sharp Business Systems.
