“Tonight honors my darling husband,” said Arlette. “One of Bob’s greatest pleasures was his involvement as Chairperson for the past several Food For The Poor Palm Beach Galas. During his lifetime, funds were raised to build Gordon’s Cove, a sustainable fishing village and community.”Food For The Poor’s gala began with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines to enhance the five-course menu compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to Hong Kong and Montego Bay, Jamaica, were among the various silent and live auction prizes.
“Over the years, many families in Jamaica have benefited from life-transforming gifts through the generosity of the Palm Beach community,” said Marino. “They have lifesaving food, housing, and the ability to earn an income through Gordon’s Fishing Village, and now, an opportunity to provide their children with an education. Thank you for transforming the lives of the suffering into lives filled with hope for the future.”
As a tribute to Robert’s epicurean reputation, known throughout Palm Beach, the menu he personally selected last year was given rebirth at this year’s event. Early in the evening, Marino and the men stood to toast Robert’s legacy, as he was recognized as one of the area’s most generous philanthropists and past Bailli-Confrérie de las Chaines des Rôtisseurs for 25 years.
“Tonight we will enjoy some of the things Robert truly loved: wonderful food, great wine and the company of good friends and family,” said Bowden, Honorary Chairwoman and Silver Benefactor. “Food For The Poor held a special place in his heart and through their efforts and the support of many of the guests here tonight, hundreds of the poor in Jamaica have a promising future.”
Bowden, a dear family friend who previously traveled to Hong Kong with the couple, alluded to the fact that even if there is no smoking in heaven, Robert would find a corner to smoke his cigars.
Arlette thanked Patrick Park for graciously committing to be the charity’s International Honorary Benefactor. Park pledged to double his monetary support this year to help fund the school. Arlette then mentioned Grand, Silver and Bronze Benefactors by name, thanking them individually for supporting Food For The Poor’s mission.
The Grand Benefactor was Florence DeGeorge. Bronze Benefactors included Helen Bernstein, Helen Bernstein-Fealy, Paula and Robert Butler, Henry and Mary Virginia Fong, The Frankino Foundation, Stanley and Helene Karp, Howard and Michele Kessler, Charlotte Kimelman, Hermé de Wyman Miro, The International Society of Palm Beach, Lois Pope, and Ari Rifkin.
“Food For The Poor was Bob’s favorite cause,” said Harold Stayman. “He had such respect for its management and Arlette has continued his generosity. Tonight when you take a few sips of your favorite wine, think of Bob.”
During the live auction, the crowd rallied in support of Food For The Poor’s mission. One of the live auction prizes included a PGA Championship seven-day pass to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in S.C. with airfare for two.
“Let’s honor Robert’s legacy and let him be immortal in Jamaica,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. Aloma explained how, with the basic human needs fulfilled in Gordon’s Cove, it is now appropriate that the focus be on education.
Gala sponsors included American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, and TerraGroup.
For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.foodforthepoor.org/palmbeach.
Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor 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, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com
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