Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures – The Best of Palm Beach is dedicated to humanitarian aid
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2008) – Food For The Poor’s sixth annual gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures – The Best of Palm Beach will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009 at The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. The event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists – Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Honorary Chairpersons), and Andres and Cathie Fanjul (Ball Chairpersons).
Proceeds from the 2008 gala continued to transform Gordon’s Fishing Village in Bluefields, Jamaica, into a vibrant community brimming with hope and human dignity. Food For The Poor has finished the construction of 50 additional much-needed housing units and sanitation for the residents of the fishing village, a women’s fishery project, and a school for 80 children.
Funds raised at the 2007 gala provided four fiberglass fishing boats with outboard motors, GPS equipment, fishing tackle and coolers, safety equipment and a gear shed with freezers. Food For The Poor has trained the fishermen on the essentials of deep-sea fishing, the use of the GPS systems and the techniques of marketing their catch. Food For The Poor also mapped the coastline of Jamaica to find the best fishing areas. Each boat is commanded by one captain and up to five men or women. The fishermen contribute a minimum of 5 percent of their catch to feed the community’s poorest residents. Additionally they train young men and women in fishing to pass along their skills to the next generation. An additional 5 percent is set aside to maintain equipment. Gordon’s Fishing Village is monitored by Food For The Poor staff.
Food For The Poor’s January 29, 2009 gala will begin 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 will feature culinary masterpieces highlighting Caribbean and Latin American cuisine prepared by the Ritz-Carlton’s Executive Chef, Ryan Artim. The event wine sponsors specially select fine wines for the reception and dinner to enhance each course. A special performance by vocalist, Madison M. McIntosh, will enthrall guests.
The finale of the inspiring Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures – Best of Palm Beach weekend will be the Philip Iglehart Cup polo match, Sunday, February 1, 2009 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Enjoy an afternoon of polo, beginning with a special wine-tasting tailgate party, sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida. The match will showcase some of the best and most talented polo players from around the world.
Sponsors include the American Nicaraguan Foundation, Celedinas Insurance Group, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Florida Crystals, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Quadriga Art, Inc., Silversea Cruises, Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida, The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, and Transatlantic Wine & Spirits.
Food For The Poor, the 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 here and in 17 countries in 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.
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
(954) 427-2222 x 6054
[email protected]