Amigos For Kids & ING Host Another Star-Studded Event And Exceed Fundraising Expectations At ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night

Amigos For Kids, a non-profit organization that since 1991 has focused on child abuse prevention and helping underprivileged children and families, celebrated its signature annual fundraiser, ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night, on Saturday, June 20th, at Jungle Island in Miami. With over 1,600 guests in attendance, the fundraiser was an overwhelming success for Amigos For Kids, marking ING's fifth year as the event's title sponsor and welcoming Ford Motor Company Fund as a first time presenting sponsor.

“We are delighted with the turnout and support at this year’s ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night, which surpassed our expectations by raising over twenty percent more funds than last year,” said Rosa Maria Plasencia, executive director of Amigos For Kids. “It is thanks to our sponsors and donors that Amigos can continue to meet the increasing needs of the children we serve in the community, while educating the public about child abuse prevention.”

Upon arrival, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring a live performance by Ivan Hernandez, Jungle themed stilt walkers, jungle tours and open bar courtesy of Dewar’s. Dinner-by-the-bite was provided by Miami’s most prominent chefs and restaurants including Red Koi Thai + Sushi Lounge, RA Sushi, Mamajuana Café, The Pasta Factory, Mena Catering, Por Fin Restaurant, Papa John’s, Jungle Island, Be Organic Catering, El Rey de la Paella, Aroma Espresso, Catalina Products, Donut Divas, El Sembrador, Irie Spice, Todo Frio, Cake Designs and Versailles.

A stellar silent auction offered hundreds of beautiful items including art, sports memorabilia, fine jewelry, and this year’s “Domino & Passion in the Jungle” painting, donated by artist and Amigos’ volunteer Carlos A. Navarro. The evening included the spectacular world debut performance of the Celia Cruz All Stars, featuring the late Queen of Salsa’s very own band members.

First time sponsor, Macy’s provided a complimentary “Beauty Bar” delighting guests with Christian Dior cosmetic touch-ups, and also special Macy’s goody bags.

Over 1,600 of Miami’s movers and shakers supported this year’s event and reveled in the night’s thrilling ambiance. Numerous notable guests included ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Eduardo Xol who flew in from Los Angeles, CBS The Early Show’s Maggie Rodriguez who flew in from New York, Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre, Univision Despierta America’s Ana Maria Canseco, Food Network’s Chef Ingrid Hoffman, TeleFutura’s Felipe Viel and MSNBC News Correspondent Michelle Kosinski. Also in attendance: Ellie Rodriguez, Jorge Bernal, Giselle Blondet, Catherine Siachoque, Miguel Varoni, Pamela Silva, Jackie Nespral, Rashel Diaz, Willard Shepard, Will Manso, Neki Mohan, Florida House of Representatives Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Marcelo Llorente, David Rivera and Erik Fresen, State Attorney Kathy Fernandez-Rundle, Miami-Dade Schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho, and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the thousands of children we are able to reach every year we thank our sponsors and each person that attended Domino Night '09," stated Jorge A. Plasencia, cofounder and chairman. “The participation of hundreds of celebrities, community leaders, media, individual and corporate sponsors is a true testament to their commitment to the children of our community especially in this current economic climate. In particular, I would like to acknowledge our corporate sponsors - ING, Ford Motor Company Fund, Academica, Bacardi, Dewar’s, JCON Group, Macy’s, Nike, Baptist Health South Florida, Burger King, Carnival, DYL Group, Florida Crystals, Nielsen, NBC6, República and TotalBank.

Media sponsors key to this success include Clear Channel Outdoor & Radio, Comcast, The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, Miami Modern Luxury, Diario La Americas, Generation ñ, Miami Monthly, NBC6, SBS Radio, Selecta, Social Affairs, TeleFutura, Univision Radio and Univision 23.

"ING is a proud sponsor of this event and we are pleased about this year’s successful fundraising efforts,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation. "At ING, we are committed to empowering people to achieve a better future for themselves, and through Amigos For Kids, we are helping to strengthen families and communities in South Florida.”

About Amigos For Kids®

Amigos For Kids is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation, founded in 1991 in Miami, Florida, that works to prevent child abuse and neglect by valuing children, strengthening families and educating communities. To fulfill its mission, Amigos relies on the support of dedicated volunteers and donors. When you support Amigos For Kids, your generosity helps enrich the lives of thousands of deserving children…providing our kids, and our community, with a brighter tomorrow. To become an Amigo by donating your time, or other resources to children in need, please call (305) 279-1155 or visit www.amigosforkids.org.

About ING

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million residential, corporate and institutional clients in more than 40 countries. With a diverse workforce of about 125,000 people, ING is dedicated to setting the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future. In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 29 million customers across the nation. ING’s diversity management philosophy and commitment to workforce diversity, diversity marketing, corporate citizenship, and supplier diversity fosters an inclusive environment for employees that supports a distinctive product and service experience for the financial services consumer.For more information, visit www.ing.com/us.

About the ING Foundation

The ING Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities where ING operates and its employees and customers live. Through charitable giving and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on sustainable programs in the areas of financial literacy, children's education, and diversity. For more information, visit www.ing-usafoundation.com.