On July 27th, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation held an event at the Key Biscayne Community Center, sponsored by BankUnited and Sonesta.

The luncheon gathered the members of the Professional Advisory Committee; composed by CPAs, Financial Advisors and Attorneys, who were informed about the organization's successes and new opportunities of helping their clients to meet their charitable objectives through the Foundation.

Starting this year, the Foundation will honor one Professional Advisor who has made exemplary contributions to the Foundation through his/her role on this committee.

This year, Dr. Jorge Mendia, Key Biscayne Community Foundation President, and Ana Gloria Rivas-Vazquez, Vicepresident, honored Key Biscayne resident Attorney at Law, Bonnie Cooper.

Bonnie is currently a sole legal practitioner, focusing on Guardianship, Probate and Elder Law here on Key Biscayne. As a graduate of University of Miami School of Law and Florida International University undergrad, she is a hometown success story.

Her many professional memberships and affiliations have included, but are not limited to: South Florida Guardianship Association, Florida State Guardianship Association, Dade County Bar Association –Where she was the recipient of put something back pro bono guardianship attorney award, Member of probate and guardianship committee, Chairperson of Clergy & the court and Advance Directives and Internal Procedures Subcommittees–, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, National Futures Association And American Bar Association.

She is currently a member of the Village of Key Biscayne's – Community Center Advisory Board, Member of Community Center Facility Manager Interview Panel, Member of Community Center Review Committee, Cochair of citizen's committee for a community center, member of committee for communities for a lifetime, member of keep seniors on Key Biscayne, speaker at senior's health fair.

Additionally, off the Key, Bonnie is active in the association for retarded citizens where she currently provides pro bono legal services and serves on the advocacy advisory committee and received the 2003 Leo Plotkin Outstanding Legal Service Award and she volunteers for the Breast Cancer Coalition, Miami City ballet, and Guardianship & Case Management Services.

She has successfully encourage clients of hers to remember the Key Biscayne Community Foundation in their estate planning, introduced the Key Biscayne Community Foundation to a new donor-advised fund in memory of Judge Sidney Shapiro and was integral in creating a memorandum of understanding that empowers the Foundation to act as a repository for funds donated to the Village of Key Biscayne's Community Center.

"It is not only for Bonnie's exemplary role as a member of the Foundation's Advisory Committee that we honor her today," said KBCF's Executive Director Liz La Corte, "But also for her exemplary role as a member of this community. Bonnie, we thank you for sharing the Key Biscayne Community Foundation's mission of enhancing the quality of life for all members of this community, now and for all time."