Millions of Meals Heading to Haiti: Orlando’s Virtual Gala Renews Hope for Families Hard-Hit by the Coronavirus
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 1, 2020) More than 2.2 million meals will be heading to Haiti, thanks to Orlando-area donors. Due to the pandemic, for the first time in 21 years, the Food For The Poor Celebration of Hope Gala focused on food, not homes, and was virtual.
The event livestreamed on Saturday from Boca Raton Community Church in Boca Raton, Fla.
“We know that there’s no substitute for meeting together, but we also know that we cannot stop or slow down on the work that needs to be done,” Food For The Poor President/CEO Ed Raine said. “All of the countries where Food For The Poor serves have been impacted by COVID. But thanks to compassionate supporters, such as Dr. Lynne Nasrallah and her Celebration of Hope Gala, we have reason to celebrate because we’re providing hope along with much-needed aid.”
Nasrallah, who has served as the gala’s Committee Chair for more than two decades, believes the event is a channel from which answered prayers have flowed. Whether it is building homes or feeding the hungry, she’s determined to do her best to motivate others to make a difference in Haiti.
“We cannot solve all the problems of the poor,” Nasrallah said. “But let us begin by helping them one by one. We are loved and called to love, we are blessed and called to share our blessings. Let us all do something beautiful for God and neighbor.”
Guests who attended the 21st annual Celebration of Hope Virtual Gala did something wonderful. They helped the charity exceed the goal of 2 million meals, which will be used to help feed families in Haiti, like Jacqueline’s, who are struggling to find food.
“I am very happy,” Jacqueline said. “I ask that God always provide for the donors so that they may continue to help others; thank you.”
Award-winning recording artist, Glacia Robinson, performed during the livestreaming event.
Committee members include: Event Chair Dr. Lynne Nasrallah, Linda Bonnewitz, Bruny and Paula Compas, Tammie Cooper, George and Kim del Campo, Jacob and Viviana del Campo, Ben and Nicole del Campo, Mike and Dr. Desirae Friend, Cynthia Hawkins, Yani and Luz Jusakos, Dr. Anis Khalaf, Kathy Kinchla, Nicole Nasrallah, George and Joanne Olson, Lisa Padilla Ortiz, Nancy Padilla, Amira Rodriguez, Dwight and Lisa Saathoff, Liliane Santana, Tom and Jean Wilkes, Jean and Donna Wilson, Holly Wilson and Liz Zeitler.
Event Sponsors: Florida Cancer Specialist, Greenberg Traurig, McCoy Federal Credit Union and Rosen Shingle Creek.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for orphaned and abandoned children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Wanda Wright
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6079
[email protected]
