Movers and Shakers Honor

Food For The Poor Supporter and Charity to Receive Special Honor

	Jose Perez-Jones, Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine, will be honored by South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers.
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COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2014) – The 2014 South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers will be honoring 12 civic-minded individuals, including longtime donor and supporter of Food For The Poor, Jose Perez-Jones, Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine.  For more than three decades, Seaboard Marine has shipped thousands of containers filled with food and supplies, provided by Food For The Poor, to families in need throughout 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.

Perez-Jones, born in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, came to the United States when he was 11. Never forgetting the impression his Uncle Humberto Del Valle made on him 45 years ago, Perez-Jones’ dream of a shipping company became a reality in 1983. Today, Seaboard Marine serves 40 ports, including PortMiami, in 28 countries. Because of his compassion for the truly destitute, Perez-Jones formed a bond with Food For The Poor that continues to this day to benefit tens of thousands of families each year.

“For over 30 years, Seaboard Marine has nurtured and solidified a very meaningful and heartfelt friendship with Food for the Poor. We will proudly continue to support this outstanding and significant union by remaining motivated, committed, and action-driven,” said Perez-Jones. “It is in this spirit and culture that we have continued to have a lasting and caring relationship with the hopes of influencing a better life for all.”
The South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers also will present this year’s Humanitarian Award to Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor.

“With the vast majority of our work taking place in the Caribbean it’s truly humbling to know that the South Florida community, especially those with a heritage that’s linked to the region, are responding to the wonderful work Food For The Poor is doing there,” said Aloma. “Thanks to the support of our compassionate and dedicated donors, this charity is impacting lives throughout the Caribbean in a very positive way.”
Since its inception, Food For The Poor has built more than 96,000 housing units and installed nearly 1,900 water wells or water components. The organization also builds schools and feeds thousands daily, and is committed to creating projects that ultimately place families onto the path toward self-sufficiency.

Perez-Jones’ commitment to the charity’s mission goes beyond shipping. Seaboard Marine has been a supporter of the organization’s annual Building Hope Gala in Boca Raton, Fla., since 2005. For the first time this year, Seaboard Marine will sponsor the organization’s annual 5K Walk/Run for Hunger on Saturday, Nov. 8, at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park, 3300 North Park Road, Hollywood, Fla.
                                                                       
“Seaboard Marine considers all opportunities to assist those in need a social responsibility and a loving mandate. As consequence, we are always ready, engaged, and willing to contribute, specifically now with the 5K Walk/Run for Hunger,” said Perez-Jones.

Aloma and Perez-Jones are two of the 12 honorees, which include entertainers Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The event will be at the Frost Art Museum at 10975 SW 17th St., Miami, on the campus of Florida International University, Oct.10, 2014, 6 - 9 p.m.

This event is being held in conjunction with FIU’s Caribbean Student Association, one of the largest multi-cultural student associations in the nation. Click for a preview of the honorees www.foodforthepoor.org/honorees.

The 2014 Caribbean American Movers and Shakers Networking Series include award events throughout the year in Atlanta, New York City and Miami.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as 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 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.