Leon and Serena Simkins, who have long been involved in the South Florida philanthropic community, will be the Humanitarian Chairmen of Jackson Memorial Foundation Golden Angels Gala 2008. Gala will take place Saturday evening January 26, 2008. The announcement was made by Rolando Rodriguez, CEO and President of Jackson Memorial Foundation.
Says Rodriguez: “Leon and Serenas generosity and caring for those in need have earned the charismatic and admired couple the gratitude and admiration of dozens of organizations. We are proud that Jackson Memorial Foundation is one of them, and we are prouder yet to have them serve as our Humanitarian Chairmen for this years very special Gala.”
Leon is a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Chairman and President of Simkins Industries, Inc., a folding carton and glassine paper manufacturing company operating in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Leon is a member of the Board of Governors, a Distinguished Humanitarian of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF), was previous chairman of its Love & Hope Ball and the DRI named their Research Tower after him. He is also a member of the Ibis Society of the University of Miami and a Founder of Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
Through the Leon J. Simkins Charitable Foundation, Leon and Serena have actively participated in funding medical research and improving the lives of sick and developmentally disabled children in our community. They are members of both the Jackson Memorial /UM Banyan Society for Project Newborn and the JM Foundations Golden Angels at the Silver Seraphim level.
This will be the first time in its 14-year-history that Gala will be held in an elegant tent on the premises of Jackson Memorial Hospital. The reason: The plans of a transformed Jackson Heath System will be announced at the event; a renovation that will make it a world-class hospital able to serve the entire community. The transition and expansion is necessary because Jackson is simply out of beds. The plan is to build new buildings and add 200 beds. There will be a new emergency room, a new patient tower and a completely new Holtz Childrens Hospital. The organizers of Gala want guests to actually be on the site when the announcement is made about the expansion and renovation campaign to be able to see, touch, feel and sense what Jackson will become because of their generosity.
Leon and Serena Simkins, who have long been involved in the South Florida philanthropic community, will be the Humanitarian Chairmen of Jackson Memorial Foundation Golden Angels Gala 2008. Gala will take place Saturday evening January 26, 2008. The announcement was made by Rolando Rodriguez, CEO and President of Jackson Memorial Foundation. 
