By Coral Gables Gazette staff
An evening of elegance and purpose will unfold at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club on Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., as the community gathers for the 2025 Holtz Children’s Hospital Night of Fashion and Art. Presented by the Elio’s Kitchen Fund at the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the event blends artistry, philanthropy and local leadership in support of South Florida’s youngest patients and the caregivers who serve them.
A night where style meets service
Guests will enjoy a showcase of fashion and visual art, featuring curated presentations that celebrate creativity and community spirit. Tickets are $125 per person, with proceeds directed toward supporting families of critically ill children and the frontline medical professionals at Holtz Children’s Hospital and other regional pediatric facilities.
Organizers describe the evening as a chance to connect glamour with generosity — an event that invites Coral Gables residents, civic leaders, and business sponsors to join together for a tangible cause. “This promises to be an evening filled with artistic showcases, stylish presentations, and opportunities to connect with fellow community leaders and supporters, all while contributing to a truly vital cause,” the organizers wrote in announcing the event.
Honoring a legacy born from loss
The Elio’s Kitchen Fund was founded by siblings Autumn, Kiran, and Nicolas Evensky in honor of their grandfather, Elio, whose passing during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired their family’s enduring mission. What began as a simple gesture — delivering meals to exhausted healthcare workers — has grown into a community movement grounded in gratitude and compassion.
“Through our pain, tears, and hope, we tried our best to make sure he would get through it, but sadly his battle came to a tragic end,” the family shared. “Even before his passing, our family had begun to thank our frontline heroes by delivering them food. After we lost our grandfather, our family decided to continue in his memory.”
Since then, Elio’s Kitchen has provided hot meals for hospital staff working through holidays and crises, often ensuring that those who cannot be home with their families feel remembered and appreciated. The initiative has since expanded its reach, working with social workers and hospitals to identify families of critically ill children in need of emergency financial support.
Fashion and philanthropy with a purpose
This year’s “Night of Fashion and Art” is designed not only as a fundraiser but as a reflection of the compassion that drives the Elio’s Kitchen mission. The event’s organizers emphasize that it is as much about community connection as it is about fundraising. “Together we can provide assistance in the lives of those in need,” the Evenskys wrote. “We look forward to partnering with our community for Elio’s Kitchen and Holtz Children’s Hospital for a Night of Fashion and Art.”
Held within the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club — one of the city’s most enduring civic landmarks — the evening offers a blend of culture and purpose that aligns with the foundation’s broader mission of civic engagement. Attendees can expect an atmosphere of warmth, gratitude, and celebration, with proceeds directly benefiting hospital caregivers and the children they serve.
Continuing a tradition of giving
Operating under the umbrella of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Elio’s Kitchen Fund has become a model for grassroots philanthropy — a small, family-led initiative with an outsized impact. The foundation’s support provides organizational stability, while community events like this one keep the mission personal and accessible.
The Evenskys’ story reflects a larger trend in local philanthropy: residents channeling personal experiences into sustained civic action. What began as a tribute to one man’s legacy has grown into a movement that nourishes the body and spirit of those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
How to attend
The 2025 Holtz Children’s Hospital Night of Fashion and Art will take place Thursday, November 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early for the fashion and art showcases and to enjoy light refreshments while connecting with fellow supporters of the cause.
