Orlando Supporters, Fulfilling Promises and Answering Prayers
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2017) Members of the Food For The Poor Celebration of Hope Gala committee will host their 18th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala at the Orlando World Center Marriott, on Oct. 7, 2017.
Orlando Gala Committee Chair Dr. Lynne Nasrallah and Orlando-area philanthropists are fundraising to build 25 concrete-block houses with water and sanitation, and a community center in Chantal, Haiti, for families left homeless by Hurricane Matthew.
The powerful Category 4 hurricane ripped across Haiti’s peninsula on Oct. 4, 2016. The storm destroyed homes, washed away livestock and flooded out the fields of local famers, ruining the fragile agricultural sector of the country. But the most tragic of losses were the lives of people.
Simone and Perrier, an elderly couple in Chantal who are living in desperate conditions, cried out with joy after learning they will be beneficiaries of a new home. But their happiness was bittersweet. The couple wept bitterly as they recounted the day their granddaughter, just a few months old, was killed when their home collapsed during Hurricane Matthew. The couple is very happy about the blessing of a new home, but they are saddened by the reality that their grandchild will not be there to share the new home with them.
“This is why we do what we do,” Nasrallah said. “We are bringing hope to the people so that they will know that God has heard their cries, and that the people of Orlando have heard their cries – help is on the way.”
Nasrallah returned to Haiti in August with Food For The Poor, where she was reunited with a family she met one year ago. Upon arriving to the coastal town of Léogane to the community of Ca-Ira, she was moved to tears of joy after seeing the remarkable transformation of a family once beaten down by poverty.
“Cherila and her four young children were in dire need when we first met her, but her faith was strong,” Nasrallah said. “We promised her a safe and secure home, and one year later that prayer was answered, she looks like a totally new person.”
Nasrallah and nine visitors from the same family, which included husband-and-wife committee members Robin Neel and Dr. Tim Prince, were greeted with open arms and a warm smile as Cherila said, “I used to feel ugly when I lived in my old house, but now I feel beautiful again in my new home, I thank you!”
She went on to say she painted her new house blue and white because they are the colors of Food For The Poor and that these colors will serve as a reminder of the life-changing blessing she has received.
“Dr. Lynne is a lovely person with a huge heart for the poor,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “The work she’s doing with the support of the Orlando-area donors is changing lives in Haiti. With the help of the Lord, they are being used to answer the prayers of the poor. We can’t thank them enough for the wonderful work they’re doing.”
For additional information about the Celebration of Hope Gala and sponsorship levels, please call (954) 427-2222 ext. 4020 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/orlando. Tickets are available at $175 per person.
Jorge Estevez, News Anchor for WFTV (ABC) Channel 9 will serve as master of ceremonies.
The evening will feature cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, dancing and a live house rally. The silent auction also will have unique designer jewelry, original art and much more.
Celebration of Hope Gala Committee members include: Event Chair Dr. Lynne Nasrallah, Linda Bonnewitz, Paula and Bruny Compas, Kim and George del Campo, Viviana and Jacob del Campo, Katie and Josh del Campo, Nicole Harding and Ben del Campo, Freda and Trevor Dieffenthaller, Tammie Ferguson, Cynthia Hawkins, Kathy Kinchla, Bernadette McComb, Nicole Nasrallah, Nancy Padilla, Robin Neel and Dr. Tim Prince, Amira Rodriguez, Lisa and Dwight Saathoff, Liliane Santana and Family, Jean and Tom Wilkes, Donna and Jean Wilson, and Holly Wilson.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. Over the last 10 years, fundraising and other administrative costs averaged less than 5 percent of our expenses; more than 95 percent of all donations went directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Wanda Wright
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6079
[email protected]
