Dancing up $50,000 for Latin America

      Resource Foundation raises funds

by Judy Silberstein

(July 14, 2003) They were Dancing on the Water at the Larchmont Yacht Club on Friday, June 20, 2003 in support of the Resource Foundation's annual fund raiser. By the time the music stopped, more than $50,000 had been raised for programs in Latin America.

Elizabeth Marti (Corporate Affairs Coordinator for Kraft) receives an award from the Resource Foundation's Chairman Pedro Lichtinger and Executive Director Loren Finnell.

The proceeds will go towards supporting the Foundation's 50 non-profit members located in 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Foundation estimates it impacts more than 2.5 million disadvantaged persons through its programs that handle environmental concerns, microenterprise, low-cost housing, primary health care, education, skills training and sustainable agriculture.

The Resource Foundation philosophy is to "offer a hand-up (not a hand-out) to low-income persons willing to give their time and labor to better their lives. It has raised $11.5 million from individuals, foundations, corporations and religious groups, and it has arranged for another $4.0 million in matching grants.

They Foundation reported, "Tight financial controls have maintained overhead expenses at 8%. Annual audits are performed by the firm Maier, Markey & Menashi (White Plains, NY)."

There were a number of corporate sponsors for the June event, including: AeroMexico, Grupo TACA, Kraft Foods International/Latin America, Levi Strauss, L'Oreal USA, MasterCard International, Philip Morris International/LA and Pfizer Inc.

Kraft Foods based in Rye Brook was honored for providing more than $300,000 of support for twelve hunger programs in eleven Latin American countries over the past two years.