Tropical Nights' Honorees

Blake and Jennifer Sando, originally from Pennsylvania, live in Coral Gables with their children, Lizzie, Blakey, and Teddy. All three of their beautiful children are on the autism spectrum which is what led them to CARD. The Sando Family is an extraordinary family in so many ways and is considered by all of us at CARD to be one of our foundational families, always leading the way, supporting our community, and inspiring meaningful change.

Jennifer worked as a lawyer and newspaper reporter and is now a stay-at-home mom. She is a board member of the Coral Gables School Community Relations Committee and has also served on the Family Day Steering Committee at the ICA Miami, on the Low Incidence Exceptionalities Sub-Committee for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and was a Co-Chair for Tropical Nights along with her husband Blake.

Blake is a partner at the law firm Cole, Scott & Kissane. He is the past Chairperson of the Constituency Board at CARD. He has also served as the Chairperson of the Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs (and still serves on their board). He is a past President of the Coral Gables Bar Association and has also served on the Parish Council at The Church of the Little Flower. He was honored by Ronald McDonald House of South Florida as one of their Twelve Good Men in 2021, for his extraordinary community service.

Lizzie loves ballet, orchestra, the Miami Marlins and music (Taylor Swift and, lately, Olivia Rodrigo). She is a Sophomore at Southwest Miami Senior High School in the Autism Academy program. She loves going to school. She previously attended CARD’s Spring Break Surf Camp (her favorite Spring break of all time)!

Blakey is always quick with a funny face to make people laugh and he loves animals. He is at Blue Lakes K-8 in the Autism Academy Program. He previously attended CARD’s Summer Camp (the best summer ever)!

Teddy has both autism and hearing loss. He loves letters (both English and Foreign Characters) and is a whiz with computers. He is at Snapper Creek Elementary. He previously attended CARD’s Summer Camp (also his best summer ever)!

Blake, Jennifer, Lizzie, Blakey and Teddy love living in South Florida and being part of the CARD family.