Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures — The Best of Palm Beach Expands Gordon’s Fishing Village

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02/04/08

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — Food For The Poor, Florida’s leading charity, held it’s fourth annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures — The Best of Palm Beach gala Sunday, January 20, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach. Several distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists were recognized at the event — Honorary Chairpersons Robert G. and Arlette Gordon, and Ball Chairperson, Cathie Fanjul.

Guests included Peter and Jamie Applefield, Elizabeth Bowden and Jack Rich, Barclay and Dr. Ava Coleman, Cathie and Andres Fanjul, Senator Normand and Dolly Grimard, Gina and Scott Gordon, Susan and Lee Gordon, Howard and Melissa Parker, Mary Frances Turner and T. Russell Sherrill, Richard and Jodi Wentley, and additional members of the acclaimed Chaines des Rôtisseurs.

Proceeds from the 2008 gala will be used to continue transforming Gordon’s Fishing Village in Bluefields, Jamaica, into a vibrant community brimming with hope and human dignity. This year Food For The Poor will build additional much needed homes for the residents of the fishing village, and the construction of a school for 80 children will be undertaken to replace a facility that is in total disrepair.

Funds raised at the gala in 2007 provided 4 fiberglass fishing boats with outboard motors, GPS equipment, fishing tackle and coolers, safety equipment and a gear shed with freezers. Food For The Poor has trained the fishermen on the essentials of deep-sea fishing, the use of the GPS systems and the techniques of marketing their catch. These contributions have also funded the construction of 50 housing units and sanitation.

Sunday evening’s Gala at The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach began with a sensational silent auction during the wine tasting reception. Unique wine selections, exquisite jewelry and exotic weekend escapes were among the varied offerings. An evening of exceptional dining concluded with a five-course culinary masterpiece created by the Ritz-Carlton’s Executive Chef, Ryan Artim. The event sponsor, Southern Wine & Spirits, specially selected fine wines for the reception and dinner to enhance each course.

The finale for the inspiring Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures — Best of Palm Beach weekend was a Sunday afternoon of Polo at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The match featured Palm Beach’s best polo players from around the world at the Joe Barry Cup Final. The afternoon began with a champagne tailgate and wine tasting party, sponsored by International Polo Club Palm Beach and Saratoga Club. Catamount was victorious in the match against Isla Carroll.

The committee members for the event were Paul Marino (Event Chairman), TerraGroup; John Domenico, US Trust; Karen Mason, The Celedinas Insurance Group; Jim Mead, Transatlantic Wine & Spirits; Greg Miseyko, Morgan Stanley; Julie Pickens, International Polo Club Palm Beach; Steven Presson, Corcoran Group; Claude Rosinsky; and Paul Vannais. Sponsors include the American Nicaraguan Foundation, FedEx Corporation, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Quadriga, Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida, Transatlantic Wine & Spirits, US Trust and WTAS.

Food For The Poor, the 2nd largest international relief and development organization in the nation and the largest charity headquartered in Florida, does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 16 countries of the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States. Since 1982, we have provided clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and emergency relief, with more than 96% of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.