Palm Beach philanthropists toast for a good cause
Coconut Creek, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2009) –Food For The Poor’s sixth annual gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures – The Best of Palm Beach was held Thursday, January 29, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. The event was chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists – Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Honorary Chairpersons), and Andres and Cathie Fanjul (Ball Chairpersons). Proceeds from the 2009 gala will be used to construct 50 housing units for the destitute in Jamaica.
Food For The Poor’s gala began with a superb wine tasting reception sponsored by Southern Wine and Spirits of South Florida, Dreyfus, Ashby and Company, and Transatlantic Wine and Spirits. Unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes are among the varied silent and live auction prizes. An evening of exceptional dining featured culinary masterpieces highlighting Caribbean and Latin American cuisine prepared by the Ritz-Carlton’s Executive Chef, Ryan Artim. The event wine sponsors specially selected fine wines for the reception and dinner to enhance each course. A special performance by vocalist, Madison M. McIntosh, enthralled guests.
The live auction included an exclusive seven-day, six-night stay at Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious resorts. Silversea Cruises generously donated the all-inclusive 9-day Alaskan voyage for two aboard the Silver Shadow to support Food For The Poor’s Palm Beach gala.
Since 2005, much-needed housing has been built in Jamaica, and these communities continue to be transformed by the proceeds raised at Food For The Poor’s annual Palm Beach galas. The three communities in Jamaica are rooted around the creation of sturdy housing and fishing villages. Because of the generosity of the Palm Beach community, homes will continue to be added to the approximately 100 already built.
In Gordon’s Fishing Village alone, the residents are prospering with the addition of housing, a school, sanitation, access to potable water and fish-processing facilities. Fishing villages include four fiberglass fishing boats with outboard motors, GPS equipment, fishing tackle and coolers, safety equipment, and a gear shed with freezers and a solar light.
Sponsors included the American Nicaraguan Foundation, Celedinas Insurance Group, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Florida Crystals, International Polo Club Palm Beach, National City Bank, Silversea Cruises, Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida, The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, and Transatlantic Wine & Spirits.
Participating Wineries included, Bell Winery, Bernardus Winery, Bouchaine Winery, Delille Winery, Joseph Drouhin, Duckhorn Winery, Enrique Foster, Fosters Wine Estates, Grigch Hills Winery, Heitz Cellars Winery, Joseph Phelps Winery, Lancaster, Estates Winery, Landmark Winery, Ridge Winery, Rodney Strong, Champagne Louis Roederer, Christian Roguenany, Terlato Wine Estates, Miguel Torres, Trefethen Winery, and Vintage Point.
Food For The Poor the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. We provide emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. http://www.foodforthepoor.org/
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
954-427-2222 x 6054
[email protected]
