Fulton County 6-Year-Old Boy Sets Giving Pace for Atlanta Gala

October 21, 2010 - 1:10 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

ATLANTA (October 21, 2010) - With his hair neatly brushed, and his button-down shirt tucked-in, Will Merchant, 6, confidently entered the W Atlanta - Buckhead hotel to deliver an original piece of his artwork and a $500 check to representatives of the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor.

Before the Atlanta gala started, Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor's Executive Director, had not only an opportunity to speak to the bighearted boy, but also the privilege of receiving his thoughtful gifts. Later that evening, as Aloma addressed attendees, he beamed proudly as he shared Will's message of spirit and love.

The youngster's generosity warmed hearts and reaffirmed the importance of investing in children's futures. Proceeds from this year's annual Atlanta Food For The Poor event, New Hope, New Beginnings, will be used to build schools in Jamaica. As master of ceremonies, the Emmy Award Winner, Jovita Moore, from WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News, emphasized the importance of an education.

Funds raised at the event will be used to construct Mount Hindmost Basic School in Clarendon, Jamaica, and water and sanitation projects will replace dangerous pit-latrines at existing schools. Educational opportunities like safe facilities, and supplies, like folding desks and reading books, give impoverished families island-wide hope for the future.

Will was inspired to help victims of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake when he heard other children calling Atlanta's 104.7 The Fish, to donate their allowance or do odd jobs to raise money for the cause. To meet his goal, Will sold his paintings to neighbors, friends and family members.

When asked why he decided to help those he had never met before, Will said, "God led me in my heart to do that."

"We were so delighted to see Will take such a heartfelt interest in helping the earthquake victims," said Beth Merchant, Will's mom. "Our hope is that Will remembers how meaningful this experience has been for him and others around him. We can't wait to see where his heart takes him next."

The evening included live music by Lethal Rhythms, a silent auction, dancing, and a memorable dinner with friends prepared by principal sponsors W Atlanta - Buckhead and MARKET. Bidding on silent auction prizes such as exclusive art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages offered opportunities for guests to shop and donate to the cause. Aroma Ridge, Inc. rum cakes were distributed to event guests as they left the party.
"It feels so good to support an organization that is fiscally sound; more than 96 percent of all its donations go to programs that help the poor," said Lynn Hanna, event committee member.
"In poor Jamaican communities, schools can offer children an oasis for learning," said Nawal Shadeed, Event Chairwoman. "School for these children is essential. Through education, they can escape the poverty that surrounds them."
"The time I spent on the event was enjoyable and well worth it," said Sarah Overstreet, event committee member. "A society is judged by how well we treat the less fortunate among us."

New Hope, New Beginnings committee members include Susie Hagley, Lynn Hanna, Sylvia McClure, Kathy Murphy, Sarah Overstreet, Dr. Jason Regis, Carolyn Shadeed, Arlene Smith, Margaret Stenglein, and Michelle Wattley.

Event sponsors, included: American Nicaraguan Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, The Pereira Family and Toca Enterprises, LTd.

Food For The Poor, the third-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 agency 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.

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

Contact

Food For The Poor
http://www.foodforthepoor.org/newsroom/news/boy-sets-giving-pace.html
FL, 33073 US
Jennifer Oates - Public Relations, 954-427-2222 x 6054

Keywords

Food For The Poor, Angel Aloma, Will Merchant, Jamaica, Haiti, drawings, elementary school, school

Category

Catholic Schools & Religious Education

Free Catholic Knowledge Assessment from Catholic Online School

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

Embrace your Faith

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »