Roy & Lea Black Hosted Bay Point Schools Gala – ‘Let it Rain’ Celebrity Gala Featured Top ‘Rainmakers’

MIAMI – January 26, 2004 – Roy Black, one of the nation’s premier criminal defense lawyers and his wife Lea Black, opened their home to host a fund-raising event and party, Let It Rain – The Gala, presented by Celebrity Cruises, to benefit Bay Point Schools on Friday, January 23rd, 2004.

The gala was announced in glamorous fashion with a hand delivered invitation designed by DJS Advertising that came with an umbrella donated by Donald J. Pliner. The event was sold out with over 450 guests and celebrities including many of the who’s who of Miami’s nightlife, philanthropists, and society members gathering for the charity gala event of the year –raising close to $500,000 net to help benefit the Bay Point Schools charity. Jim Ferraro was honored for his generous financial support. Also recognized, was top businessman Manny A. Varas for his contribution to the charity event.

The gala included a private, VIP celebrity cocktail reception and surprise performance by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, for the $2,000 and $10,000 VIP ticket holders. A silent and live auction included guitars signed by Madonna and Sting, Janet Jackson’s HBO tour outfit, Celebrity Cruises, private jet trips, and sports memorabilia. The dinner and main gala event was set against a backdrop of the evening stars and a selection of gourmet cuisine donated and supplied by some of the top restaurants in Miami. Guests danced the night away to a live performance by Latin Superstar, Ana Cristina, and music by DJ Mark Leventha. As “Star” VIP guests departed, they were handed VIP “Oscar” worthy designer gift bags containing items worth more than $1,000 in value and continued to party at Prive Nightclub, South Beach, and the new Ritz-Carlton, South Beach with Sting.

Founded in 1995, Bay Point Schools is an alternative boarding school that provides educational, vocational and therapeutic services to teenage boys whose behavior has led them into anti-social or criminal activity. Based on a program that teaches responsibility, accountability and respect for social norms, the results have been outstanding. Over 90% of Bay Point graduates have never committed another crime, and Bay Point has been rated the best program of its kind in the state of Florida by the Juvenile Justice Accountability Board. Bay Point Schools helps to mend the past to create a future.

This year’s presenting sponsor was Celebrity Cruises. Other sponsors include DJS Advertising; Southern Wine & Spirits; i-bella; Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA); Ocean Drive Magazine; Gucci; Florida International Magazine;Donald J Pliner; Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour; Cabana; Terra Beachside Villas; Union Planters Bank; Professional Casualty Insurance; Mellon Bank; Ermenegildo Zegna; Zucker Public Relations; Shapiro and Zarikian; Jordan Linn and South Beach News.

Gourmet cuisine was supplied by the following restaurants Americana Ritz-Carlton South Beach; Balans; Chef Bernard Matz; Café a la Carte; Café Prima Pasta; China Grill; David’s Café; Edda’s Cake Designs; The Forge; Intercontinental Miami; Marky’s Caviar; Biltmore Hotel’s Palmed’Or; Ortanique on the Mile, Randazzos Little Italy and Sweet Elegance.