RIVIERA BEACH — About 100 homeless and hungry people attended a Thanksgiving dinner gala at a local homeless shelter on Sunday. Meals were provided by Chica Salon & Boutique in honor of a deceased family member.
The dinner was served on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Valley of Love Ministries, at 1901 Broadway. The dinner was free and open to the public.
Cecilia Martinez, Chica’s owner, said she decided to fund the event to pay homage to Aline Simeon, the mother of her fiancée and business partner, Ronald Simeon.
She died in February 2013 shortly after a trip to her family home in Haiti. Each year, Aline Simeon would feed upwards of 3,000 for the holiday, which is celebrated in Haiti. Her last feeding was in 2012.
“Ronald and I thought this would be a perfect way to honor her and her legacy of giving,” said Martinez, who is from the Dominican Republic, which shares an island home with Haiti.
*Pictured above is Marie Pierre-Jean, left and Cecilia Martinez.
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