Shake-A-Leg hosts reception for Parapan Am Games

On Friday, August 7, a gregarious group of about 100 friends and guests welcomed acting Canada Consul General Louise Léger to celebrate the opening ceremony of the 2015 Parapan Am games in Toronto, Canada. The emotional and entertaining festivities were shown on a large screen monitor.

The event was held on Shake-A-Leg's open air rooftop mezzanine overlooking the harbor and Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove.  Above, from left: Gioia Canelli, Louis Léger , acting Consul General of Canada, Beatriz Portela, Diana Pettersend, Griselda Krause and Ana Lazzari, some of the volunteer Realtors and staff from Coldwell Banker Coconut Grove. 


The event was organized under the guidance of Shake-A-Leg's Director of Development, Jennifer White at left; Acting Consul General Louise Léger addresses the enthusiastic audience, at right.

TORONTO 2015 is the fifth edition of the Parapan Am Games and features 1,608 athletes from 28 countries competing in 15 sports. All sports are Paralympic qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The first Paralympic Games took place in 1960 in Rome, Italy and featured 400 athletes from 23 countries competing in 8 sports. Since then, the Paralympic Games have taken place every four years. The first Paralympic Winter Games were held in Sweden in 1976, and like the Summer Games, have taken place every four years.

The word “Paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (meaning beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic,” illustrating how the two movements exist side by side.

Shake-A-Leg Miami is a non-profit organization that has partnered with the City of Miami for more than 25 years. Shake-A-Leg Miami is passionate about its mission of getting people of all abilities out on the water. The unique setting in the old Coast Guard facilities between Fresh Market and Monty's allows for dynamic and full experience for individuals of all ages with physical disabilities. Annually, the organization serves 10,000 people.

About a dozen real estate agents and staff from Coldwell Banker's Coconut Grove office volunteered to help during the event. Above from left are Chloe Johnson, Jake Johnson, Henry Pedroso, Miriam West-Nesbit, Cary Erickson, Matthew Pedroso, Beatriz Portela, Peter Studl, Griselda Krausse, Ana Lazzari, Gioia Canelli and Diana Pettersend.

It's great to see our local companies and organizations pulling together to serve our Coconut Grove community.

Story and Photos by Peter Studl