Stay tuned for next years luncheon.
This year we had Jimmy Wayne is a former foster child turned award-winning country recording-artist whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care.
Jimmy has shared his story — The Power of One — around the world as a keynote speaker. He lives in Nashville and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of at-risk foster youth, for which he has been recognized with honors and awards.
Like the beginning of our organization when some Ocean Reef members saw a need for The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter to be built and took action, Jimmy Wayne has passionately worked to create positive change in the lives of children in foster care who need permanent families.
Please enjoy our 2021 Making a Difference Video at the link below:
Making a Difference
Our signature fundraising event, our Keys Children's Foundation Luncheon, is held every January and typically features a Keynote Speaker who shares our committment to improving the lives and situations of the children in our community. Our causes are in greater need than ever before with new and changing demands as the result of the pandemic.
Previous speakers have included:
2025 - Jimmy Wayne
2024 - Lt Col Dan Rooney
2023 - Joan Lunden
2022 - Lauren Bush Lauren, former representative for the UN Food program and founder of the Feed Foundation which provides meals to children around the world
2021 - Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, astronaut and first woman to walk in space
2020 - Joan Lunden, TV personality
2019 - Erin Gruwell, innovative teacher and subject of the movie "The Freedom Writers"
2018 - Steve Pemberton, author of the memoir "A Chance in the World, tragic upbringing in the foster system"
2017 - Liz Murray, author of "Breaking Night" and subject of documentary “Homeless to Harvard”
2016 - Jason Taylor, former Miami Dolphin, NFL Hall of Fame, advocate for youth
2015 - Andy Roddick, American former professional tennis player
2014 - Wes Moore, Army officer, Rhodes scholar and author
2013 - Annika Sorenstam, Golfer
2012 - Lee Ann Touhy, author of "The Blind Side"
2011 - Alonzo Mourning, NBA Player Miami Heat who grew up in foster care, his kidney transplant and his Foundation for at Risk Children
2010 - Ashley Rhodes Courter, 19 former foster child, author "Three Little Words Spoken"
2009 - Donna Shalala, President University of Miami, Former Director of Health & Human resources under Clinton
2008 - Dr. Linda Shipley, Pediatrician
2007 - Pat Conroy, author
2006 - Christine Todd Whitman, former Governor New Jersey, EPA Administrator and author
2005 - June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Commandeer Dick Scobee
2004 - Ann Bancroft, skied and sailed across Antarctica as part of 2 woman team
2003 - Nancy Clark Deputy editor Family Circle magazine
2002 - Liv Ullmann, actress and worked with UNICEF
This year we had Jimmy Wayne is a former foster child turned award-winning country recording-artist whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care.
Jimmy has shared his story — The Power of One — around the world as a keynote speaker. He lives in Nashville and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of at-risk foster youth, for which he has been recognized with honors and awards.
Like the beginning of our organization when some Ocean Reef members saw a need for The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter to be built and took action, Jimmy Wayne has passionately worked to create positive change in the lives of children in foster care who need permanent families.
Please enjoy our 2021 Making a Difference Video at the link below:
Making a Difference
Our signature fundraising event, our Keys Children's Foundation Luncheon, is held every January and typically features a Keynote Speaker who shares our committment to improving the lives and situations of the children in our community. Our causes are in greater need than ever before with new and changing demands as the result of the pandemic.
Previous speakers have included:
2025 - Jimmy Wayne
2024 - Lt Col Dan Rooney
2023 - Joan Lunden
2022 - Lauren Bush Lauren, former representative for the UN Food program and founder of the Feed Foundation which provides meals to children around the world
2021 - Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, astronaut and first woman to walk in space
2020 - Joan Lunden, TV personality
2019 - Erin Gruwell, innovative teacher and subject of the movie "The Freedom Writers"
2018 - Steve Pemberton, author of the memoir "A Chance in the World, tragic upbringing in the foster system"
2017 - Liz Murray, author of "Breaking Night" and subject of documentary “Homeless to Harvard”
2016 - Jason Taylor, former Miami Dolphin, NFL Hall of Fame, advocate for youth
2015 - Andy Roddick, American former professional tennis player
2014 - Wes Moore, Army officer, Rhodes scholar and author
2013 - Annika Sorenstam, Golfer
2012 - Lee Ann Touhy, author of "The Blind Side"
2011 - Alonzo Mourning, NBA Player Miami Heat who grew up in foster care, his kidney transplant and his Foundation for at Risk Children
2010 - Ashley Rhodes Courter, 19 former foster child, author "Three Little Words Spoken"
2009 - Donna Shalala, President University of Miami, Former Director of Health & Human resources under Clinton
2008 - Dr. Linda Shipley, Pediatrician
2007 - Pat Conroy, author
2006 - Christine Todd Whitman, former Governor New Jersey, EPA Administrator and author
2005 - June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Commandeer Dick Scobee
2004 - Ann Bancroft, skied and sailed across Antarctica as part of 2 woman team
2003 - Nancy Clark Deputy editor Family Circle magazine
2002 - Liv Ullmann, actress and worked with UNICEF