COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2013) – A sold-out crowd of more than 400 South Florida residents attended Food For The Poor’s 18th annual Building Hope Gala on Feb. 2 at The Polo Club of Boca Raton. Enough money was raised to build homes for 65 destitute families in Canaan Heights in May Pen, Jamaica. Construction on the homes is scheduled to begin in March.
“Each family will be moved into a home with solid walls, a metal roof, and a front door that can be locked. These homes will help keep children out of harm’s way, and provide a strong, safe haven filled with hope of a new beginning for generations to come,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor.
Additionally, the 65 two-room homes will have a cement foundation, solar panel light, and sanitation and water storage facilities. Families will receive tools and seeds to plant their personal backyard gardens, and self-sustaining animal husbandry projects will be established. In an effort to rebuild the community, repairs will be made to the local school/community center.
A video that documented several of the committee members’ December trip to Jamaica was shown to highlight the need that exists island-wide. The committee’s testimonials inspired attendees to pledge to build a record number of houses during the charity’s live house-rally.
“When you fund a home for a poor family, you are funding the chance to build a better future and an opportunity for self-sufficiency,” said Mahfood.
Award-winning reggae artist Tarrus Riley and saxophonist Dean Fraser hit the right notes at the nonprofit’s charity gala, as they called attention to the critical need for permanent housing in Jamaica. The crowd filled the dance floor as they performed the hit singles Contagious, Stay With You and She’s Royal. Jamaican saxophonist Fraser also played the instrumental version of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.
Guests also had the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a MINI Cooper, at $50 a ticket. The winning ticket will be pulled Thursday, May 16.
For additional information regarding the drawing, please call 1-888-404-4248.
Committee members for the 2013 Building Hope Gala include Laurie Braden, Kelly Brauner, Becky Carlsson, Melissa Davimos, Ronda Ellis Ged, Ronda Gluck, Michele Greene, LaMae Klos, Robin Ranzal Knowles, Julie Mahfood, Rene Mahfood, Pamela Matsil, Cathy Moabery, Jill Perea, Tashia Rahl, Kara Seelye, Natasha Singh, Renee Stetler, Holly Strogoff, Allison Venditti, Patricia Wallace, and Traci Wilson.
Master of ceremonies Jason Martinez, co-anchor for WPLG-TV ABC Local 10 Morning News and Local 10 News at Noon, traveled to Jamaica in August to cover the island’s golden jubilee.
“I saw the poverty with my own eyes and there is much work needed to be done to provide housing and assistance to the people of Jamaica,” said Martinez.
Gala sponsors include AKA Printing and Mailing, Aljoma Lumber, American Nicaraguan Foundation, Bank United, Bluegreen Corporation, The Boca Raton Observer, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Dusco Doors, Ellis, Ged, & Bodden, Franklin Dodd Communications, GA Telesis, Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Miami Dolphins, Premier Aircraft Sales, Quadriga Art, LLC, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, United Healthcare, and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
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 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.
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