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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Sam Gil
Camillus House
305-374-1065 ext. 328 (office)
samgil@camillus.org • www.camillus.org
GENEROUS GIFT FROM LOCAL FAMILY HELPS CAMILLUS HOUSE
MIAMI (June 7, 2006) --- The Yglesias family of Pinecrest, owners and operators of Palmetto Ford, a truck and van dealership located on Doral Boulevard, recently donated a brand new, $30,000 van to Camillus House. The 15 passenger, Ford E350 van will be used by Camillus House’s Institute for Social & Personal Adjustment or ISPA, the charity’s highly successful and nationally recognized treatment and rehabilitation program.
Robert Yglesias, who is the Principal Dealer of Palmetto Ford and a long time supporter of Camillus House thought there might be some way he could help the charity when he was told of the organization’s transportation needs by Peter England, a fellow Saint Louis Catholic Church parishioner and senior staffer at Camillus House.
Many of the vans Camillus House now uses are old and have a great deal of wear and tear.
In fact, much of the work of Camillus House involves transportation, as individuals in the charity’s treatment program need to be transported back and forth from their housing to other Camillus programs such as health and job training. They are also transported to other places such as Jackson Memorial Hospital; and the organization’s food service department transport meals from the downtown shelter to other Camillus facilities.
Yglesias thought he could help with a donation but needed to run it by the board of Palmetto Ford. Fortunately, that was something he could do over dinner because Palmetto Ford, which has been selling Fords in Miami for over 40 years, is a family run business and the board consists of his daughter Debora and three sons David, Daniel, and Douglas.
“We got together and decided it was something we could do,” Yglesias explains “and everyone wanted to do it.” Thanks to the generosity of the Yglesias family, Camillus House has recently taken delivery of its newest van; mileage at time of delivery- 37 miles.
“We didn’t want to give a used van,” Yglesias added, “we wanted to give Camillus House one that is going to last a while. This is the first time we’ve ever made a donation like this…we’re happy it’s going to a good purpose and we’re hoping it makes a difference.”
Kathy Garcia, director of ISPA at Camillus House took one look at the van and knew it would make a big difference. “This is great,” exclaimed Garcia, “one of our old vans looks like it’s about to fall apart, this is going to make a big difference.”
“Every day Camillus House is witness to the generosity of the Miami community, explained Dr. Paul R. Ahr, President & CEO of Camillus House. “The compassion of our neighbors like the Yglesias family makes it possible for Camillus House to continue to meet the needs of the over 10,000 men, women and children whom we serve on an annual basis.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Yglesias family, Camillus House is better equipped to help those who are less fortunate in our community and continue toward the goal of ending chronic homelessness in the Miami area.
Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to the poor and homeless populations of Miami-Dade County for more than 46 years. Established by the Brothers of the Good Shepherd in 1960, Camillus House has grown steadily over the years from a small soup kitchen into a full service center offering a comprehensive “continuum of care” for persons who are poor and homeless. The organization’s Institute for Social & Personal Adjustment boasts an active treatment success rate of 88%. The program is currently licensed for outpatient, day/night, residential, and aftercare services, and includes components for family therapy, wellness, relapse prevention, and co-occurring addictions.
For more information on this or any other Camillus House program please visit Camillus online at www.camillus.org or call Sam Gil at 305.374.1065, ext. 328.
