Philanthropists unite to celebrate one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures, Robert G. Gordon

Palm Beach philanthropists Arlette Gordon (Honorary Chairwoman) and Elizabeth Bowden (Honorary Chairwoman) joined Paul Marino (Event Chairman) on stage at Food For The Poor’s ninth-annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala Sunday night to honor Arlette’s late husband, Robert G. Gordon, one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures. Proceeds from the Jan. 29 gala at The Breakers Palm Beach will build a critically needed school for over 100 disadvantaged children in and around Gordon’s Cove in Bluefields, Jamaica.

“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

Palm Beach philanthropists to celebrate life of Robert G. Gordon at Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures Gala

Food For The Poor’s ninth annual Palm Beach Gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures, will be Sunday, January 29, 2012, at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden (Honorary Chairwomen), and Paul Marino (Event Chairman).

The gala will honor the life of Robert G. Gordon, one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures. With a passion for both culinary achievement and charitable giving, Robert and Arlette Gordon served for five years as the gala’s Honorary Chairpersons. Together, the Gordon’s invited members of the Palm Beach community to become involved in this philanthropic cause and transform lives of poverty and suffering into ones filled with hope and thanksgiving.

“Robert and I considered it an honor to be part of Food For The Poor’s Palm Beach Gala,” said Arlette Gordon. “Robert prided himself on recognizing good company, wine, food and efficient philanthropic giving. He was impressed that more than 96 percent of all donations to Food For The Poor go to programs that directly benefit the poor.”

This year’s proceeds will be used to build a critically needed school in Robert Gordon’s honor to benefit approximately 100 disadvantaged children near Gordon’s Village in Bluefields, Jamaica. In developing countries, school classes are sometimes held under a tree or in a dilapidated building. Both of these scenarios make it difficult for the students to concentrate on their studies.

“We believe education is the foundation for a successful future,” said Arlette Gordon. “Robert would be touched by the generosity of his friends to know that so many had gathered together to build a school in his honor to extend his legacy.”

Food For The Poor’s Palm Beach Gala will begin with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Republic National Distributing Company, and Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to such places as Hong Kong are among the varied silent and live auction prizes. The event’s wine sponsors specially paired fine wines to enhance each of the five courses and to highlight the executive chefs and restaurants of The Breakers, Palm Beach.

“Robert’s love of life was large, so it’s only fitting that at this year’s gala we honor him by serving some of his favorite things,” said Marino. “It was through his efforts and years of dedication that we were able to build an entire community in Bluefields, Jamaica. We cherish it in his memory – Gordon’s Cove.”

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, benefactor levels, and tickets, available at $450 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/palmbeach.

Proceeds from Food For The Poor’s previous Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures - The Best of Palm Beach galas raised funds to establish a self-sustainable fishing village in Bluefields, Jamaica. The project replaced dilapidated shacks with more than 125 safe, permanent houses, a school for 80 children, a fish processing facility, and provided residents with access to water and sanitation.

In addition to Food For The Poor’s International mission, the organization also supports many charities in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Grand benefactors include Florence DeGeorge. Benefactors include Elizabeth Bowden, Arlette Gordon, Helene and Stanley Karp, Lois Pope, and Hermé de Wyman Miro – The International Society of Palm Beach. Gala sponsors include Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, TerraGroup and The Frankino Foundation.

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

Compassionate Palm Beach Philanthropists Unite to Build Homes

Palm Beach philanthropists Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Grand Honorary Chairpersons) joined Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Chairwoman) and Paul Marino (Event Chairman) on stage at Food For The Poor’s eighth-annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala on Jan. 30 at The Breakers, Palm Beach.

Food For The Poor’s gala began with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes were among the varied silent and live auction prizes.

Once in the ballroom Arlette Gordon thanked Patrick Park and Nathalie Fernandez for graciously committing to be the charity’s platinum benefactors. She then mentioned Silver and Gala benefactors by name, thanking them individually for their support to build critically needed homes in developing countries.

Silver benefactors include Elizabeth Bowden, Florence DeGeorge, Robert G. and Arlette Gordon, and Howard and Michele Kessler. Gala benefactors include Helen Bernstein, Stanley and Helene Karp, Charlotte Kimelman, Henry Fong and Mary Virginia Knight, Anneliese Langner, Hermé de Wyman Miro – The International Society of Palm Beach, Patty Myura – Eleanor Reeves Foundation, and Ari Rifkin.

After Arlette Gordon briefly reminisced on their friendship and travel excursions, Bowden attributed her becoming a supporter of Food For The Poor to Arlette Gordon.

“Living on this beautiful island, it is hard to imagine the horrific living conditions that exist in Haiti,” said Bowden. “More than a million Haitians were displaced immediately following the earthquake, and they struggle daily to find food, safe drinking water and shelter. By supporting Food For The Poor’s “Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures” gala, you, too, can help provide permanent housing for those who have nowhere to call home.”

The Breakers Executive Chef Jeff Simms described the five-course menu that featured each of The Breakers’ restaurants, and mentioned the specially selected fine wines that were chosen to enhance each course. Robert Gordon’s epicurean reputation is known throughout Palm Beach, and for many years he has been recognized as one of the area’s most generous philanthropists and past Bailli-Confrérie de las Chaines des Rôtisseurs.

“Food For The Poor is one of those charities that does not just send money,” said Robert Gordon. “They make sure the supplies reach those who need them the most. Food For The Poor is a good steward with donations – more than 96 percent of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor.”

Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director, began by thanking the Gordons, Elizabeth Bowden and Paul Marino for all they have done through the years to introduce Food The Poor to the Palm Beach community.

Aloma recalled how a few days before last year’s event he returned from the devastated country of Haiti. As of December 2010, he said Food For The Poor had shipped 1,465 tractor-trailer loads of food, water, medicines and other lifesaving relief aid valued at $205 million to Haiti. More than 1,589 permanent two-room homes with sanitation units and access to water have also been built to house displaced earthquake victims. Members of the crowd applauded when Aloma said the $20.7 million dollars collected as Haiti emergency earthquake relief funds by Food For The Poor had been spent by the end of October 2010.

Then Aloma introduced Ray Mou, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami (Taiwan), the gala’s Grand Benefactor. He described Mou as a wonderful man and poet.

“Half a century ago, between 1949 and 1965, Taiwan received nearly a $1.5 billion loan and grant from the United States to reconstruct its economy after World War II,” said Mou. “Now, as the twenty-fourth largest economy in the world we are no longer a recipient state. We actively lend a helping hand to people in need. The ultimate purpose of our humanitarian diplomacy is to promote humanity and to ask for nothing back in return. We wish we could do more to help the Global Village.”

Mou said the Taiwanese did not hesitate to help following the earthquake in Haiti. Joint initiatives between Taiwan ICDF and Food For The Poor include feeding the destitute, and the in-country production of food through agriculture, farm-raised fish and livestock breeding – self-sustainable initiatives that teach people how to earn a living. In 2010, Taiwan ICDF donated 1,250 tons of rice to Food For The Poor.

During the live auction, Curt Fonger, master of ceremonies and CBS WPEC Channel 12’s weeknight anchor, rallied the crowd in support of Food For The Poor’s mission. Auction prizes included exotic vacation destinations such as Hong Kong and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The third item to be auctioned was one of Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things. A donor gave the Philip Stein, diamond-bezel watch to Food For The Poor, so monies raised could assist with the charity’s house building effort.

Earlier in the evening, Aloma thanked attendees for their gift of presence, telling the audience that every dance helps to wipe away tears; every course helps bring back people on the verge of despair; and every sip of wine gives people back the ability to dream. The performances by La Mystique enthralled guests and filled the dance floor.

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 the event page online.

Food For The Poor, the third-largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. We provide 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
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com