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P.O.
Box 948153 NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2005 As an update to the news release below, $56,700 was raised for Redlands Christian Migrant Association at the FFVA Convention last night. The first 36,700 came from the FFVA Benefit Silent and Live Auctions. The last $20,000 came from the "Above and Beyond" group of leading agriculture industry members.
The $56,000 will be matched, dollar for dollar, by money from a Naples Wine Festival grant (see below). It will pay for an additional 6th grade classroom at RCMA's new school, which will serve classes of 20-25 children.
ORLANDO, Fla. (September 23, 2005) - Children of migrant farmworkers will benefit from proceeds generated through auctions held today in Orlando at Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's (FFVA) 62nd Annual Convention. FFVA had once again selected Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) as beneficiary of both a silent and live auction. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation and Citrus & Vegetable Magazine sponsored the auctions. "RCMA is an outstanding investment in the future of our industry," said FFVA President Mike Stuart. "The health and child care services provided by RCMA make Florida farm jobs more attractive to migrant workers, and that helps ensure a steady workforce for Florida growers." Similar auctions at FFVA's 60th Annual Convention two years ago raised approximately $71,000 for RCMA projects. That amount was matched by federal and state funds at a rate of $16 to $1, bringing the total to more than $1 million, which helped RCMA to provide care and opportunities to children of migrant farm workers and other low wage earners in rural Florida. "Although we remain deeply appreciative of the years of support that we've received from FFVA, this auction is even more critical," said RCMA Executive Director Barbara Mainster. "We received a $500,000 grant from the Naples Wine Festival, but that must be matched dollar-for-dollar by March 2006." Mainster said if that goal is reached, RCMA will be able to finish the third floor of a building at the Immokalee Community School, a charter school the organization runs. Convention participants bid on items and services like tickets to sporting events, vacation getaways and original art, with all proceeds going to RCMA. RCMA began serving farmworkers' children in 1965 when a group of Mennonite sisters in the Redlands area of Dade County stepped in to take care of the children while their parents worked in the fields. Today, RCMA operates head start programs; before and after-school centers; and charter schools (public schools of choice) for children from low-income families in the rural community of Immokalee and Wimauma, Florida. Its goal is to not only provide care for the children, but to prepare them for school and maximize their chances for future success. Survivor - Outgrow, Outmarket, Outperform - That's How to Win in Florida Agriculture was the theme of FFVA's convention, held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. In addition to the auctions, highlights included a listening session where Florida producers met with USDA Secretary Mike Johanns. Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research
& Education Foundation was established in 1991 to address
specialty crop growers' scientific and knowledge needs in the
production, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers
of fruits, vegetables and other crops. ### |
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©2008 Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
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