Philanthropy with flare

Memorial Foundation’s Miami Vice Gala raises $44,000 Friday night

Jason Schneider, Memorial Foundation board chairman, holds some of the bright pink flamingoes sold during Friday’s Miami Vice Gala at the fairgrounds. At left is auctioneer Kelly Kliewer.
Jason Schneider, Memorial Foundation board chairman, holds some of the bright pink flamingoes sold during Friday’s Miami Vice Gala at the fairgrounds. At left is auctioneer Kelly Kliewer.

More than 270 guests, many dressed in flamboyant 1980s era Miami Vice attire, celebrated philanthropy with flare Friday by raising more than $44,000 to support Respiratory Therapy Department upgrades at Memorial Hospital. It was an evening of colorful fun, as the Miami Vice Gala drew the largest ever attendance for the Memorial Foundation’s annual signature fundraising event. “We were able to rais…