Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas to honor their Founder, Senator Bob Graham at it’s 25th Anniversary
MIAMI – What do Olympic Gold Medalist Walter McCoy, former Key West Mayor Sheila Mullins, Academy Award-winner Richard Portman, six-generation Florida beekeeper, Laurence Cutts and world renowned artist
Xavier Cortada have in common? They have all been FAVACA Volunteers.
On Tuesday, October 2 FAVACA (the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas) announced that Senator Bob Graham will be presented with FAVACA’s first “Lifetime Achievement Award” in honor of the role he played in helping found the volunteer organization more than 25 years ago.
FAVACA will celebrate its 25th Anniversary by honoring Senator Bob Graham for his role in establishing the organization during a luncheon
on Friday, November 16, 2007 from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm aboard the docked Norwegian Pearl at the Port of Miami.
In 1982, then Governor Bob Graham saw the need and the opportunity to assist neighboring nations in the Caribbean Basin through the mobilization of
Floridians as short-term high value volunteers – thus the birth of FAVACA.
Senator Graham emphasized: “For the past 25 years FAVACA has been an integral part of Florida’s efforts to improve the lives of its neighbors in
the Caribbean Basin and, Central and South America. At the same time, FAVACA’s efforts have contributed significantly to Florida’s prestige in the region, thereby strengthening the bonds between our people.
FAVACA’s mission to promote social and economic development throughout Florida’s international neighborhood is based on the premise that a strong region means a strong Florida. I congratulate FAVACA on a job well done and am honored to be recognized by such a fine organization.”
The organization has since developed into a unique state-level outreach program to the Caribbean and adjacent Central American and South American countries. Supported in part by the State of Florida and enjoying statutory
authority, assistance is provided to neighboring -business sectors and cross numerous disciplines including health, education, agriculture, disaster
countries based on requests received from the respective country’s non-profit, government
preparedness, the environment and business development. Volunteers are primarily from Florida and recognized as experts in their respective fields.
In the last 25 years, more than 1,500 volunteer missions have reached 24,000 individuals in 29 nations. For more information about FAVACA, visit:
www.favaca.org
