HAPPENINGS the essential social digest ; Around town ; flash ; calendar
Event Co-Chairs Abdol and Cathy Moabery, and Rene and Francis Mahfood
Building Hope Food For The Poor Gala Raises Funds To Construct A Record-Setting 60 Homes M
ore than 350 compassionate South Floridians attended Food For The Poor’s 16th annual Building Hope Gala at Boca West Country Club, where the mission— besides having a festive time—was to rally for financial pledges to construct homes for the destitute in the Caribbean and Latin America. The evening resulted in enough pledges for a record-setting 60 housing units. “Imagine being afraid of the very structure that serves as your home,” said Robin Mahfood, CEO and president of Food For The Poor. “No one can fight poverty alone. Together, we can continue to improve the conditions of endangered communities, one family at a time.”
At the event’s helm were co-chairpersons Cathy and Abdol Moabery and Rene and Francis Mahfood. Committee members included Ronda Gluck, Julie Mahfood, Pamela Matsil, Natasha Singh, Patricia Wallace and Traci Wilson. The event included an elegant cocktail reception, a performance by saxophonist Leo Casino and an exclusive silent auction. Prizes included exclusive art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, luxury vacations and golf and dining packages. The evening also included dinner and dancing, and Master of Ceremonies Calvin Hughes, an Diana Krall Emmy Award-winning newscaster
for WPLG-TV, shared stories from his personal journeys to Haiti. “We are blessed to live in this country while in other parts of the world a Food For The Poor home provides
“Imagine being afraid of the very structure that serves as your home.”
How the donations break down: Food For The Poor can build a simple housing unit with a latrine for $3,200. These homes are built with a strong corrugated zinc roof, solid concrete foundation, cement block walls, windows for ventilation and a front door that locks.
“What a small price to pay, to give someone the joy of having a place – Robin Mahfood, CEO/president to call home,” said Mahfood. “A of Food For The Poor place where they can have hope a secure, dry and potentially warm and, most importantly, a place place to sleep at night,” said Cathy where families can dream.” Moabery. “It is our hope that receiving a Food For The Poor home will i give them the will and determination to build stronger family units, while For information call 888-404-4248 or visit also building on their dreams.” foodforthepoor.org/boca.
8 Around Town includes news about community and social events, parties, charities, fundraisers, special recognitions and more. Have something
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April 2011
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