MIAMI, July 19, 2010 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced today that it has made its largest contribution to date to the Dade Community Foundation’s GLBT Community Projects Fund. A check for approximately $203,500 representing two-thirds of the net proceeds from the 13th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner and the 2010 Winter Party Festival, was sent to the foundation earlier this month.

“We are so grateful to our volunteer event committees for their determination to exceed our fundraising goals despite a difficult economic climate,” says Russell Roybal, deputy executive director of external relations of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “This past year was a record-breaking year for both the Recognition Dinner, chaired by David Price and Liebe Gadinsky, and Winter Party Festival, led by Chad Richter and Victor Diaz-Herman. It is only through the dedication of these two amazing dream teams of volunteers that we are able to achieve continued success with these South Florida institutions.”

The Task Force assumed responsibility for the Miami Recognition Dinner and Winter Party Festival after its previous owner, the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of South Florida, closed its doors in 2004. In acquiring the events, the Task Force agreed to return the majority of the net proceeds of both events to the local community through Dade Community Foundation, which established the GLBT Community Projects Fund to administer the grants. Over the past five years, the Task Force has given nearly $1 million raised through the two events to the Foundation. Grant recipients from the fund have included ACLU Foundation of Florida, Aqua Foundation for Women, Equality Florida, Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Pridelines Youth Services, Safe Schools South Florida and Switchboard of Miami.

“Funding from these two Task Force events allows us to invest in the future of our community by providing educational programs and essential support services for LGBTQ youth throughout South Florida,” says Diaz-Herman, who is also executive director of Pridelines Youth Services.

GREY GOOSE®, World’s Best Tasting Vodka, a Task Force national corporate sponsor, will underwrite an invitation-only cocktail reception to celebrate the record donation on July 28 at the new Bacardi Americas headquarters. Since Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., purchased GREY GOOSE in 2004, its commitment has been exemplified through ongoing sponsorship of charitable events, fundraising dinners, auctions and community events across the country. With the goal of raising awareness and funds in South Florida, GREY GOOSE has sponsored numerous LGBT events and programs such as Care Resource, Miami Gay Pride Week, Save Dade and the White Party.

The Task Force’s next major fundraiser will be the 14th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner on Oct. 2 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The Eddy McIntyre Community Service award, named for the first Recognition Dinner co-chair, will be presented to Cindy Brown, who has served many of Miami-Dade’s key nonprofit organizations. The Humanitarian Award will be given to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson for her championship of equal rights on the county commission over the past 16 years. The National Leadership Award will be presented to Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming for his activism and passion for civil rights and HIV/AIDS causes.