Miami Beach, FL – April 8, 2017 – Miami notables Michael Capponi and Shelly Tygielski co-chaired an evening to benefit Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) at 1 Hotel South Beach. Joining in this year’s event, was the Dr. Louis G. Lamothe Foundation and its Chairman Laurent Lamothe, former Prime Minister of Haiti. GEM’s Kesny Philippe an earthquake survivor and student in Jacmel Haiti, was the evenings honoree, having graduated at the top of his class and obtaining a full scholarship to University in France, the first of his family to have even the most basic of education. The evening was also attended by notables including Commissioner Michael Grieco, Miss Universe runner up Haiti’s Raquel Pelissier, Consul General Gandy Thomas, Consul General Charles Forbin and GEM Board Members Peri Callimanopulos, Dr. Alison Thompson and Felicia Marquez. The fete included a cocktail hour, formal seated dinner in the Atrium of the 1 Hotel, silent and live auctions, DJ set by Ata Bayraktar, a musical performance by Rara Lakay and a beautiful production by Aver. Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco honored GEM with a City Proclamation announcing that April 8th will be Global Empowerment Mission day in Miami Beach. Firefighter JD Dorleus from Miami, who was in Haiti days after the earthquake with a team and Capponi was on hand for the festivities. The live auction featured a painting by Spanish artist, Domingo Zapata, and a trip to Rome with a private audience with the Pope which sold for $40,000. The event raised over $130,000 between both charities. Other notables who supported the cause were George Wallner, Eric Milon, Seth Browarnik, GG Marvis, Janice Combs, Cleo Vodai, Gideon Kimbrell, Shy Kostiner, John Rosser, Albert Gomez, Rachael Moscoso and Danielle Zamor.