FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolina Schwarz

Voices For Children Foundation

Tel: 305.324.5678

Email: cschwarz@voices4.org

VOICES FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION HOSTED ITS 11^th ANNUAL HALLOWEEN LUNCHEON

November 29, 2005-Miami, FL- Voices For Children Foundation, the fundraising arm of the 11^th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program, hosted its 11^th Annual Halloween Luncheon on Monday, November 21. Rescheduled due to hurricane Wilma, the Luncheon was presented by TotalBank and Adrienne Arsht.

Nearly 500 people were present at Parrot Jungle Island to celebrate Voices For Children’s Most Valuable Protectors, members of the community who have distinguished themselves by their strong support and commitment to the work of the organization on behalf of the abused and neglected children of Miami-Dade County. Child advocates and Voices’ supporters enjoyed the late Halloween decorations, including black and orange centerpieces especially made by school children for this occasion.

The Honorable Judge Marilyn Milian acted as the Luncheon’s emcee. Judge Milian, who presides over the highly successful courtroom television series “The People’s Court”, supports many philanthropic organizations and is a strong voice against domestic violence.

During the Luncheon, Voices For Children and the Guardian Ad Litem Program representatives were presented with the first framed copy of the Miami-Dade Children’s Aspirational Bill of Rights, which was sponsored by one of the Luncheon’s awardees, Commissioner Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler.

The recipients of Voices For Children’s 2005 MVPs were:

• Advocate Award: Hank Adorno, Esq. Chairman

Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe, Inc.

• Leadership Award: Honorable Commissioner Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler

Miami-Dade County-District 3

• Philanthropy Award: Ruth Admire, Administrator

William J. and Tina Rosenberg Foundation

Ruth Anderson Foundation

Charles N. and Eleanor Knight Leigh Foundation

Alex and Agnes O. McIntosh Foundation

Sain-Orr Foundation

-more-

• Voices For Children Award: Suzette Lopez, President

Parrot Fish Studio

• Philip Hamersmith Award: Daisy Olivera, Society Columnist

The Miami Herald

Voices For Children Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to ensure that every abused, abandoned and neglected child in Miami-Dade County has a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their accompanying health, educational, and social needs. Guardians Ad Litem are trained, court appointed volunteers who serve as the

representative voice for abused, abandoned and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings. While an average of 2,100 children are served by the approximate 500 Guardian Ad Litem volunteers yearly, there are nearly 3,800 children involved in court proceedings who need representation. Be a Voice.

For more information about Voices For Children Foundation visit www.voices4.org .

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Voices For Children Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to ensure that every abused, abandoned and neglected child in Miami-Dade County has a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their accompanying health, educational, and social needs. Guardians Ad Litem are trained, court appointed volunteers who serve as the representative voice for abused, abandoned and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings. While an average of 2,100 children are served by the approximate 500 Guardian Ad Litem volunteers yearly, there are nearly 3,800 children involved in court proceedings who need representation. Be A Voice, visit www.voices4.org.

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