Our Beneficiaries 

Each year, our executive board assesses applications from organizations around Miami-Dade that have expressed interest in receiving funds from us. We make our decisions based on need, adherence to values similar to ours, and an organization's influence on their community. For our 2020-2021 year, we were able to donate to the nine organizations listed below. Many of these organizations have maintained a close relationship with us for years, but each executive board has the opportunity to include new organizations relevant to our mission! If you are interested in becoming involved with Symphonettes, please email our president, Gracie Hucks, at gracie@hucks.net.

Community Service and Ushering

Each of our members is asked to fulfill a certain number of community service shifts and ushering shifts dependent upon her role in Symphonettes. Community service opportunities are coordinated by our first vice president, Nina Gumbs, who makes sure that our members have a variety of events to choose from. Some of our community service shifts include volunteering at the Beaux Arts Festival, the St Thomas Family Fun Run, and Merrick House events. While most of our community service is directed towards the arts, we have many opportunities to support the greater Coral Gables community. ​Ushering shifts are central to the mission of Symphonettes and allow us to stay connected to the organizations we donate to. Coordinated by our second vice president, Carolina Font, our members are able to usher for events hosted by Guitars Over Guns, Actors' Playhouse, Greater Youth Miami Symphony, and others. We are always looking for new events our members can be involved with, so please contact us if you are interested in our services!

Nina Gumbs and Skylar Ehrling enjoy our Fashion Show after serving on the committee.

Katayoun Meyer, Francesca Luna, and Alexia Canto at our 2022 Fall Dance.

Erika Siblesz, Gracie Hucks, Gabi Lieberman, Carli Bogle, and Nina Gumbs with their mothers at the 2022 Induction Ceremony.

Our Fundraisers

Garage Sale

Our garage sale is planned by one of our general board committees and is held on a weekend in the beginning of November. Each Symphonette donates ten items for the sale and works a shift to help set up on Friday or sell on Saturday. With advertisements in local stores and newspapers, we always have great attendance! Typically, our garage sale committee is able to find a business willing to match our profit.

Holiday Fundraiser

In past years, our holiday fundraiser has consisted of each member selling $100 in tickets for a raffle conducted at our holiday brunch in December.  This year, we brought back an old tradition of the Symphonettes Dance to replace our holiday brunch, and we will hold our raffle during the Family Picnic in December.  Plans are still being made by the holiday fundraiser committee for a toy and art supply collection and give away.  

Fashion Show and Silent Auction

As our largest event of the year, the fashion show serves to honor our seniors and reflect on our accomplishments of the year. Our graduating seniors walk in the fashion show with their families and loved ones watching them as their achievements are read aloud. The Fashion Show is sponsored by different boutiques and businesses around Miami that lend outfits or purchase advertisements in our program. For the 2020-2021 year, we held a small brunch for the seniors and their families in May, 2021.  Just before the brunch, we held a silent auction with items both donated by our members and procured by the auction committee. Items such as Miami Heat tickets, baskets holding everything you need for a beach day, and a week on a cruise make our auction a huge success! For the 2021-2022 year, Symphonettes was able to return to our in-person Fashion Show at the Ritz Carlton Hotel! While every current and new member is invited, anyone can purchase a ticket to the event!! It is always a beautiful celebration of our seniors and a successful auction.

Through their 2020-2021 activities and fundraising efforts, the Symphonettes donated to the following music and arts non-profits in the Miami area: Young Musicians Unite, South Florida Youth Symphony, Pinecrest City Music Project, Guitars over Guns, Friendship Circle, Coral Reef High School, Coral Gables Chamber Symphony & Opera, CARE Elementary School, and Actors’ Playhouse.