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Since its inception in 1999, the Pineapple Gala has raised more than $1 million for children’s services at Homestead Hospital. One of the flagship fundraising events of the Homestead Hospital Foundation, the Gala is organized by a group of volunteers from the community.
The Gala’s founding chairs, long-time Homestead residents and hospital supporters Jerry and Janet Case, and a group of volunteers who became know as the Ladies of the Pineapple Gala, scheduled the first Gala for October 15, 1999, but the event was canceled due to Hurricane Irene’s impending effects on South Florida.
A rescheduled Gala was held in December of that year at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. More than 350 guests turned out to enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions to benefit the new Children’s Emergency Room at Homestead Hospital. The tradition of the Homestead Hospital Pineapple Gala was born.
 In 2002, the Pineapple Gala was relocated to Homestead-Miami Speedway. This coincided with the opening of The Betty Jane France Pediatric Center at Homestead Hospital, called Speediatrics, and a partnership with Homestead-Miami Speedway and the NASCAR Foundation.
The first two years the Gala was held at the Speedway infield, NASCAR drivers attended and created original paintings with children of the community. The paintings were then auctioned to the highest bidders. NASCAR teams have sponsored the event and contributed items for the auctions. Attendance jumped to more than 700 guests.
With the construction and opening of the new Homestead Hospital, proceeds from the Pineapple Gala were earmarked for children’s services at the new hospital beginning with the 2005 event.
The Speedway venue and the event’s “Homestead Casual” attire contribute to the relaxed atmosphere that makes the Gala unique. In recent years, the Richard Petty Driving Experience has been a popular activity adding to the Gala’s success.
The Pineapple Gala’s one-of-a-kind venue, philanthropic cause and local celebrity emcees have attracted guests from throughout south Florida and the Florida Keys, making it one of the signature social events in south Miami-Dade County. |