Danielle DiNicola is a past honoree and is now co-chairing the event this year with William. " After being honored with my husband as one of the South Florida couples last year, I decided to become more involved. I am proud to be co-chairing this year's event with William. We hope to make a difference in the lives of the people suffering with this disease.

The couples being honored are pillars of the community. Here you can get to know the couples and you will see why they have been chosen for this prestigious award.

Jaime and Jeffrey Backman; Jeffrey is an attorney at Adorno & Yoss, LLP and Jamie is a stay at home mother. Together they enjoy supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Leadership Broward Class XXVII; JAFCO; L.E.A.D.; Broad Fellowship Mentor; and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They had met in high school through a youth group organization and have now been together for ten years, married for six.

Anne and John S. Bukata both work for the Broward Sheriff's Office; John is a District Chief and Anne is a Communications Site Manager. They met through Anne's brother, who was a police officer at the same station at which John worked. They've been married now for twenty seven years and share three children: John Jr., Marie and Ashley. John is a volunteer firefighter and a coach for Coral springs youth soccer association and the Coral Springs t-ball association. They also support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Oakland Park Kiwanis, FBI National Academy Alumni Association and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Sylvia and Joseph Cobo; Joseph is the CEO and President of Cobo, Welzien, Bowers and Company while Sylvia works for the Broward County School System at McNab Elementary. They met through friends when going out for dinner to Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale. They support numerous charities and non-profits including the American Red Cross, United Way of Broward County, Broward Education Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Sylvia also tutors at the Boys and Girls Club of America. Their fondest memory is the birth of their two wonderful children.

Lisa and Joe Kessling; Joe is a detective with the Broward Sheriff's Office and Lisa is a stenographer at Sonia Toth & Associates. They first met in a Country & Western Lounge. They were instrumental in raising funds for Michael Brewer, the burn victim in Deerfield Beach.

Meike and George LeMieux ; George is a US Senator and Meike is a homemaker. They first met in high school, but it wasn't until their high school reunion that George asked Meike out. Their first date was to a charity event at the Marriot Harbor Beach and they've been together now for twelve years.

Nikki and Glen Levine; Glen is an attorney at Anidjar & Levine, PA and Nikki is a homemaker. They met at Tulane University in New Orleans. They actively support the National MS Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, ASIS (law enforcement appreciation), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Autism Speaks, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society.

Vicki and Bob Morency; Bob is the Vice President and General Manager of Beasley Broadcasting in Boca Raton, Florida and Vicki is a homemaker. They first met when Vicki was five and Bob worked for her father and uncle's business in Miami. Years later they shared their first date at The Forge Restaurant in Miami Beach. They are proud supporters of Horses and the Handicapped and are on the Paradise Bank Advisory Board as well as being Margaux Miracle Foundation Board Members.

Diana Santa Maria and Brian K. Sidella; Brian is the Founder and President of Forever Young MedSpa and Diana is the Founder and Managing Attorney for the Law Office of Santa Maria, P.A. Brian supports Women in Distress, United Way, Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Miami, Covenant House, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Cooper City Optimist. Diana supports the Broward County Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, Commissioner for the Florida Supreme Court JNC, Florida Car Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Lisa and Craig Tanner both work for Print Basics, Inc., Lisa is the President and Craig is the Vice President. Together they founded Handlebars for the Holidays which is responsible for over one million dollars in donations of bicycles, helmets and locks to South Florida's Disadvantaged Children. They are also supporters of the Fundraiser for Michael Brewer, Florida Panthers Foundation, Josie Lee Ratley and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They met on a blind date set up by Lisa's brother and have been together for twenty five years, married for twenty two years. Together they have three children, David, Matthew and Michelle.

The other honorees to date are: Gale and John Fontaine, Damaris and Steve Jensen, Ken and Kristin Padowitz , Myra and Elliot Kleiman and Benjamin and Ronald Bullard.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive systems of approximately thirty thousand children and adults in the United States. When the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation began in 1955, very few children lived to see the age in which they would attend elementary school. Because of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's devotion to finding the cure and the efforts of scientists, caregivers, and the development of new treatments supported by the Foundation, the median age of survival has increased to nearly thirty-seven years. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient voluntary health organizations of its kind and so much progress has been made in the fight for the cure.

This year's event is presented by the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would like to recognize Credit Restoration Consultants, Bluegreen Corporation, Munoz Photography, East City Grill, EO Entertainment and LivingFLA.com as sponsors. Lifestyle Magazines is also proud to be a sponsor.

Attendees can look forward to live and silent auctions, cocktail reception, dinner, and a tribute to the honorees. Following presentations of South Florida's Finest Couples, guests will have the opportunity to mingle with others and dance the night away. The Gala's dress code is black tie-optional.

Tickets to the Gala cost $225 per person. For sponsorship, tickets, and event information, please contact Jennifer Tate at (954) 739-5006. For more information on how you could help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please visit www.cff.org or call (800) FIGHTCF. Congratulations to all of the South Florida Finest Couples!

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