MIAMI, FL – April 7, 2021 – (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) – With a broken heart, the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana announces the loss of its longtime Director of Business Development & Marketing, the beloved Teresa Callava, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 7, 2021, at the age of 64, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Teresa dedicated 36 years to advancing the organization’s mission of providing educational access and resources to the underserved population in South Florida and was an integral piece in the making of South Florida’s popular events, Carnaval on the Mile and the world-famous Calle Ocho Music Festival. Through her tireless and passionate work over the years she generated more than $70 million for hundreds of thousands of young people the Kiwanis of Little Havana directly impacted through community project initiatives like college scholarships, summer camps, sports leagues, back to school assistance drives and additional resources that have provided access to achieving the dream of obtaining higher education.
“Teresa was the epitome of passion and lived her life every day that way. Words cannot describe the sadness our board, staff, volunteers, and organizational partners are experiencing over the passing of this inimitable and loving individual. Teresa’s fervor for the Kiwanis of Little Havana’s cause was infinite, and her legacy will always be honored.”, said Jorge Fernandez, President of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana.
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. Her noble wish was to leave a legacy in the Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Teresa Callava Legacy Fund be made in her honor.
Following is a statement from the family:
“On behalf of the Callava & Zaitsev family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Teresa “Terri” Callava. Terri had a zest for life that was contagious; her spirit infectious, and the love she shared with so many profound. She fought a long, hard, and courageous battle against cancer with grace, determination and a will like no other. Terri was an amazing friend, colleague, sister, tia, family member, and above all mom.
She was the epitome of living life to the fullest and seeing the beauty in all it had to offer; for her “La Vida es un Carnaval”. The heart and soul of our family, the nucleus of it all, we are forever blessed to have had her in our lives and her absence will be forever felt. We are humbled and thankful for the outpouring of love and support we have received and continued to receive from everyone she touched.
Terri is survived by her son Victor, her forever love Dimitri, her siblings Elena and Pepe as well as her nieces & nephews who all miss her already.”
About the Kiwanis of Little Havana
The Kiwanis of Little Havana is an affiliate of Kiwanis International, a worldwide non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to serving children in their communities. Founded in 1975, the Little Havana Chapter is known for using advanced fundraising initiatives, such as Carnaval Miami and its flagship events Carnaval on the Mile and Calle Ocho Music Festival. Through the Kiwanis Little Havana Foundation, the organization impacts thousands of families annually, with youth development programs including holiday giving, scholarships, youth summer camps, back-to-school assistance and more. For more information, visit www.kiwanislittlehavanafoundation.org and www.carnavalmiami.com.