17th Annual Best Buddies Ball

During the Gala, Romero Britto, Best Buddies Ambassador Charles Calhoun and Best Buddies International Founder and Chairman Anthony K. Shriver honored Carlos Slim Helú, president of the Carlos Slim Foundation, with the “GlobalSpirit of Leadership” award—Best Buddies’ highest accolade—which is given to individuals who have shown great leadership, generosity and spirit in supporting the organization’s mission. Over the course of the last decade, Slim Helú has supported the Best Buddies mission through multi-million dollar donations designed to help the organization expand its programs in Mexico and establish pilot programs throughout Latin America.

Celebrating the occasion were Gala Co-Chairs Andy Abboud, Linda Coll, Bill Fauerbach, Marc Leder, May Liang & Jim Lintott, Alina Shriver, and Don Soffer; actress Vivica A. Fox; developer Jeff Soffer & his wife, model Elle Macpherson; Miami Beach Mayor-elect Philip Levine; Miami Heat players Mario Chalmers and James Jones; Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo; Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady; NASCAR driver Brennan Newberry; producer Nan Bush & her husband, photographer Bruce Weber; professional cyclists Frank McCormack, George Hincapie, Andrew Talansky, Christian Vande Velde and Cameron Wurf and television personality Louis Aguirre.

It was a race to the auction again this year, as many one-of-a-kind items up for bids, including a walk-on role in one of film producer Ryan Cavanaugh’s new movies; a FIFA 2014 World Cup Experience package, which included two tickets to the semi-finals game; and the ultimate Chris Bosh Experience, which included four tickets to a high-profile Miami Heat home game and an exclusive post- game meet and greet with Bosh himself. The silent and live auctions raised a total of $664,000 for the organization, making it a successful night for Best Buddies.