Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Bill Nelson Commit to Serve as Honorary Chairs for Sebastian Ferrero Foundation's 4th Annual Noche de Gala

GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation announces Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Bill Nelson have committed to serve as Honorary Chairs of the Foundation's 4th Annual Noche de Gala signature event—set for October 22, 2011—on the spectacular grounds of Besilu Collection in Micanopy, Florida. Inaugural Foundation board members and State health-care industry leaders Silvia and Benjamin Leon Jr. will serve as 2011 Event Chairs. Noche de Gala 2011 will benefit the new Children's Hospital project at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.

"The Foundation is honored to have Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Bill Nelson join the 2011 Event Leadership and serve as Honorary Chairs, helping to create visibility and increased awareness around our mission to bring a dedicated Children's Hospital to Gainesville while promoting excellence in pediatric patient safety," said Horst Ferrero, Founder, Sebastian Ferrero Foundation.

"We are extremely privileged to have Silvia and Benjamin Leon, Jr. serve as our 4th annual Noche de Gala Event Chairs," said Ferrero. "The Leon Family's leadership, commitment and most generous support have significantly helped the Foundation's effort to provide the highest quality in pediatric healthcare for children and their families." Click here for an inspiring message from the event chairs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkbDbpTX8tg

The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation's support has expanded throughout the State, with Noche de Gala 2011 Event Leadership Regional Co-Chairs from Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee.  

The event theme for Noche de Gala 2011 is "Enchanted" and will feature thrilling live performances, Paso Fino champion horse shows, cigar rolling, a silent-auction, exquisite dining by Embers Wood Grill and much more. Keith Watson of Keith Watson Productions is the event producer and will be in charge of all event preparations.

Last year's sold-out Noche de Gala event of over 1,000 guests generated over $1 Million in sponsorships, ticket sales, silent auction, pledges and in-kind donations. The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation recently donated $500,000 to UF&Shands to support the new Pediatric Emergency Room, which officially opens on July 1, 2011. This new-dedicated pediatric emergency facility is a major milestone for the Foundation and its supporters. For more information on Noche de Gala 2011 visit, www.nochedegala.org

About the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation:

The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation is a 501.C.3 created by Horst and Luisa Ferrero in November 2007 to honor and endure the memory of their happy and healthy three-year-old son, Sebastian, who died in October 2007 as a result of a series of preventable medical errors in Gainesville, Florida. The mission of the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation is to advocate and fundraise for a state-of-the-art, full service children's hospital in Gainesville, Florida while promoting excellence in patient safety and ensuring that all families are treated with compassion, courtesy and dignity.

SOURCE Sebastian Ferrero Foundation