Miami – More than 400 guests celebrated Kristi House’s 2nd Annual Blue Carpet Event at the fabulous Bath Club on Miami Beach to support Kristi House’s continued efforts to help victims of child sexual abuse and child sex trafficking. From the moment guests arrived and stepped onto the blue carpet, they experienced a first-class Miami night of great food, music and spirits, for a great cause.
The beautiful lighting design showcased the gorgeous Bath Club venue, and guests danced the night away to the amazing DJ sounds of Sarz Entertainment. The spirits flowed from the Bacardi bars. Guests savored a sumptuous stream of culinary delights by Gourmet Design Catering and the incomparable Chef Patrick.
Along with The Bath Club, Bacardi and Gourmet Designs, other major sponsors included Royal Caribbean, Greene Kleen, House of Maloof, Eller ITO Stevedoring Co., PortMiami, Perry Ellis International, Allied Barton Security services, AIG, Bruce Gendelman, Sydel Corporation, Holland and Knight LLP and Oliva Cigars.
The event raised more than $50,000 in support of treatment programs for child-victims of sexual abuse and for Kristi House’s program which intervenes on behalf of girls who are exploited in child sex trafficking. Kristi House’s Project GOLD (Girls Owning their Lives and Dreams) provides services and help to girls ages 11 to 17 through a Drop-in Center that offers a safe respite and supportive environment to help young female victims find positive alternatives to dangerous lives at the hands of traffickers and abusers.
“We started this event because we recognized our community’s awareness about child sex trafficking and their eagerness to actively advocate on behalf of these children,” said Kristi House Board President Nelson Diaz. “We are finally seeing widespread recognition that the sex trafficking industry — a $32 billion annual enterprise — exploits children.”
Kristi House’s Executive Director Trudy Novicki said “We are seeing a societal shift in understanding, and are experiencing an emergence of those willing to speak out and take action against those who exploit innocence for profit.”