They give of themselves, their time, their money and their devotion to make our community a better place for all.

On Oct. 25, 2011, the Symphony of the Americas Society will host its annual Style & Substance Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66, honoring prominent individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and commitment.

“They have all distinguished themselves because of their passion and time they give to their community,” said Renee LaBonte, executive director of the Symphony of the Americas. “That’s in addition to their philanthropic efforts, both individually and in partnership with others.”

This year’s honorees: Mary Kay Follin, Andrew Lampasone, Chris Madsen, Hugh McCauley, Betsy Russo, Mary Short, LTCR Alan Starr, Jane and Bob Toney, and the Finizio Family.

Mary Kay Follin has contributed much to the Fort Lauderdale community since relocating here in 1965.  She was honored in 1991 by the 1000+ Club as Woman of the Year, representing The Royal Dames of Cancer Research.  Through the years, she graciously accepted numerous executive positions within such worthy organizations as the Symphony Society, the Freedom Foundation, The Royal Dames, and the Navy League.

Since 1998, Andrew Lampasone, of Wine Watch, has been a dedicated and valued member of the organizing committee of the Wines of the World Dinner Auction benefiting the Symphony of the Americas. A number of other organizations have been the recipients of Andrew’s genuine caring and boundless energy, including Taste of the Nation, The Daily Bread Food Bank, Junior Achievement, Gilda’s Club, The Dan Marino Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis.

A resident of Coral Springs and owner of Mad 4 Marketing, Chris Madsen has been recognized by many organizations for her achievements throughout the South Florida community.  She has contributed her business acumen, genuine caring, and tireless energy to the Stranahan House, the Urban League, Broward Workshop, Tower Forum, Leadership Broward and Leadership Florida. She currently serves as Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, where her leadership is apparent throughout this 1,200-member organization.

Hugh McCauley, founder of Hugh's Catering, has been named "Chamber Hero" by Holy Cross Hospital, appointed to the Board of the Boys and Girls Club and is now involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Safari Club, Rotary, Executives Association and many other organizations. His "give back" philanthropic attitude is important to Hugh as he feels it "makes sense to help the community that supports you."  

Betsy Russo is the South Florida Community Relations Representative for Holland America Line, an Immediate Past President of The Charity Guild, board member for The Bienes Center for the Arts at St. Thomas Aquinas, active member of Junior Welfare Society, Holy Cross Hospital Auxiliary, Broward County Medical Association Alliance, St. John the Baptist Women’s Guild and American Heart Association Circle of Red.  

Mary Short is a quiet powerhouse of philanthropy in our community who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of children. As President of the Mary Jane Harlow Charitable Trust, Mary oversees the Foundation’s philanthropic activity. In addition to the Symphony of the Americas, she has provided support to Florida Grand Opera, Cystic Fibrosis, American Cancer Society, Nova University, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other important local organizations. She currently serves on the board of the Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc.

LCDR Alan Starr has been dedicated to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. National Sea Cadet Corp youth program for nearly 50 years. His excellent leadership and training abilities have led to his command of eight units in Southeast Florida. Alan is proudest of the fact that his team has seen well over 50 of their graduates in the past 10 years go on to the Naval and Merchant Marine Academies and other colleges and universities. Others proudly serve their country in the Navy, Marines and Army.

Jane and Bob Toney, both successful in business, have always felt strongly about giving of their time and talents to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Jane was honored as the Woman of the Year by the 1000 + Club of the American Cancer Society.  She served as President, and now sits on the Board of Directors, of Seafarers’ House, is an active Board Member of the Symphony Society and the Port Everglades Association.  Jane is a Wise Women of Junior Achievement of South Florida and also works with Kids in Distress. Bob has been honored as South Florida Businessman of the Year and serves on the Boards of Directors of Paradise Bank and The Port Everglades Association.  He is a member of the Maritime Law Association, the Southeast Admiralty Law Association and the Fort Lauderdale Mariner’s Club.  

Since the 1970's, the Finizio Family has been involved in support of the arts and education in Broward County. The Finizio family patriarch, Rick Finizio, an icon in our community, passed away in November 2010, leaving a legacy of philanthropy to his wife, four children -- Michael, Paul, Marianne and Jamie Finizio -- his grandchildren, and his community.

Jamie and Paul, through their Trial Law Firm of Finizio & Finizio, based in downtown Fort Lauderdale, are well known for their enthusiasm, energy and dedication to positively influencing others' lives, and continuing the tradition established by their father of support of the Symphony of the Americas. Paul, in addition to being President of the prestigious Il Circolo Palm Beach Italian Cultural Society and area coordinator of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), has been recognized and presented with the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award by the Nova Southeastern University School of Law. Jamie has received the March of Dimes Women of Distinction Award and the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Mother of the Year award. Committed to children in need, she has served on the Pace Broward Girls Center Board and Committee for the past 17 years and is past President of both the Nova Southeastern School of Law Alumni Association and Broward Women Lawyers Association.  Both Jamie and Paul are members of the Board of Governors of Nova Southeastern University School of Law and have continuously served their state and local Bar Association boards.

Marianne Finizio, with a Masters in Business Administration, is Vice Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, and is equally dedicated to public service. She is intimately involved with Project Medishare as a board member, tirelessly helping the needy people of Haiti. She also dedicates her time and energy in support of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Shake-a-Leg Miami, and other local charities. Marianne is also a Dale Carnegie Instructor and mentors her younger colleagues in the health care profession. 

Michael Finizio, Senior Vice President of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Glendale, California and financial guru of the Finizio Family, has taken their tradition of community involvement to the West Coast. He resides in Hollywood, California and is deeply involved in the Los Angeles operatic and cinematic communities. A "Distinguished Toastmaster" and award winning public speaker, Michael is dedicated to educating and helping others to communicate effectively to reach their highest potential. 

It is easy to see that Americo “Rick” Finizio’s motto of "What good have I done today to make someone else's life better...if not I have wasted a day” lives on through the values he instilled in his children and through all those he touched during his lifetime. Rick, an enthusiast of classical music, was dedicated to assuring that the Symphony and its cultural impact on the community would continue for generations to come.

Style & Substance Awards Luncheon
To honor those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and commitment to our community.
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011
Hyatt Regency Pier 66
$100 per person
Featured: A short performance by the Symphony of the Americas String Orchestra, joined side-by-side with young student musicians
Contact: Judy Marini at 954-644-9049 or judymarini@aol.com

About the Symphony of the Americas

The Symphony of the Americas, designated as a Broward County major cultural institution, is dedicated to improving the lives of children through the magic of classical music. It is proud of its partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club, Bonnet House, and Broward Schools introducing music to children at-risk.  

Learning experiences such as instrument workshops and open rehearsals for students offer a wide range of experiences to stretch growing minds and senses. The Style & Substance Luncheon will include a performance by the Symphony’s Chamber Orchestra. Professional musicians will be joined side-by-side by young students who are studying string instruments – many of whom are on scholarship assistance from the Symphony of the Americas.  Proceeds from this luncheon benefit the Symphony’s educational and outreach programs, which reach over 35,000 people annually.

The Symphony is entering its 24th season at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, its performance home. In addition to South Florida outreach performances, the Symphony presents “Summerfest” annually hosting an acclaimed European chamber orchestra joined by Symphony of the Americas musicians in performances throughout Florida and the Americas. In July 2011, the Symphony celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Summerfest.

Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese, Artistic Director for the Symphony of the Americas, holds the Rose Miniaci Maestro’s Chair, and is a talented and charismatic leader who has guided the orchestra in bringing the best of classical music to the people of South Florida.  In 2005, he was honored at Washington’s Kennedy Center with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Award for the Arts in recognition of his lifelong work as a world-renowned conductor and dedication to promoting classical music to youth around the world.

For more information on the Symphony of the Americas, visit: www.symphonyoftheamericas.org.