FFP’s annual Boca Raton gala rallied unprecedented support
Support to build housing units in the Caribbean and Latin America for the destitute
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2008) — Food For The Poor, the foremost international relief organization serving the Caribbean and Latin America, held its thirteenth annual gala, Catch a Tropical Breeze, Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the Boca West Country Club. The spectacular island themed evening began with cocktails and an extensive silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner and dancing.
Robin and Gail Mahfood, Event Chairs for Catch a Tropical Breeze, graciously received the evenings’ guests. Robin spoke on behalf of Food For The Poor and shared the ministry’s accomplishments during the past year.
The gala focused on the dire housing needs in Latin America and the Caribbean that were compounded by the grueling 2007 hurricane season especially in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nicaragua. During the house rally, guests signaled their donation of $2,600 to fund the construction of a Food For The Poor housing unit by sounding a colorful bird whistle, handcrafted in Honduras.
More than 80 homes were funded as a result of the guests’ generosity. Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor, reminded guests of the many essentials of life that we in the United States sometimes take for granted: a home, a key to lock our home, a roof, electricity, running water, access to schools and health care facilities, and much more.
Housing has been a major priority for Food For The Poor, with more than 46,000 housing units constructed and given to the poor. By providing simple, sturdy homes to the poorest of the poor, we can change the lives of entire families by giving them the security of a safe, dry place to live. The families are thereby relieved of the desperate need to find shelter, which prevents them from undertaking productive activities.
The Principal Sponsor for Catch a Tropical Breeze was Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. Additional sponsors included Aljoma Lumber, Inc., American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Laparkan Trading Limited, Maersk Line, Quadriga Art, Inc., RBC Centura Bank, Seaboard Marine Ltd., and United Healthcare.
Committee members from the South Florida community included Terri Herzfeld, Brian Mair, Susan McKenzie, Paul Pergament, Pam Reeder, and Peter Warren.
Food For The Poor, the second largest international relief and development organization in the nation and the largest charity headquartered in Florida, does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 16 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Since 1982, we have provided clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and emergency relief, with more than 96% of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
For additional information about the event please visit the Web site.
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
(954) 427-2222 x 6054
[email protected]