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Last Friday the 21st of September 2012, Scotiabank, one of the largest financial institutions in North America, hosted the monthly charity event, Café de la Leche, during which they took the opportunity to present a check for US$25,000 to the Patronato Benéfico Oriental charity.
The monthly gathering, which collects milk donations for local La Romana charity, the Hogar del Niño was on this occasion held at the Casa de Campo Yacht Club in the Marina Casa de Campo, with Scotiabank acting as the generous hosts. Guests were greeted with flutes of champagne as they arrived, and later snacked upon hors d’oeuvres catered by the La Casita restaurant, in the Marina Casa de Campo, owned and ran by Julia Martinez.
Representing Scotiabank and welcoming guests at the door was Jim Meek, Vice-president and general manager of Scotiabank in the Dominican Republic, Jean Pierre Santoni, manager of Scotiabank La Romana and Casa de Campo, as well as Irma Marte, Senior Manager of Public Relations for Scotiabank.
Once the glamorous ladies of the Casa de Campo community had gathered, mingled, munched and sipped the plentiful champagne, Jim Meek took a moment to thank everyone for their attendance and took the opportunity to present US$25,000 (RD$975,000) in the form of giant check to the Patronato Benéfico Oriental, the umbrella charity for the Hogar del Niño. Receiving the check on behalf of the charity was Erika Vilain, who was so grateful for the donation, the normally outspoken character was unusually lost for words and almost moved to tears.
Trish and Jim Meek with Erika Vilain
“At Scotiabank it fills us with pride to support the Patronato Benéfico Oriental for their excellent work in caring for the wellbeing of children and adolescents in the greater La Romana area. We hope that our contribution will support the Hogar del Niño’s education programs, which will allow these young adults to have a productive and independent future.”— Jim Meek, Vice-president and general manager of Scotiabank in the Dominican Republic
This generous donation from Scotiabank was made as part of their “Illuminando el Mañana” (lighting up tomorrow) program, which supports and promotes charities and causes who are providing opportunities to the youth of today, so that they may have a better future tomorrow.
Scotiabank, which just over a year ago opened a branch in the Marina Casa de Campo (click here for photos of the inauguration), was first established in the Dominican Republic in 1920 and now has more than 1,600 employees in the country, as well as more than 300,000 clients, 83 ATMs and 58 branches, offering a complete range of products and services in the areas of retail, commercial, corporate private, personal and investment.
The following photos were taken on Friday the 21st of September 2012 at the Cafe de la Leche hosted by Scotiabank at the Casa de Campo Yacht Club in Marina Casa de Campo:“We are proud of supporting Patronato Benefico Oriental for their excellent work on behalf of La Romana children’s, I am thankful of all our costumers, friends, and the community for the support given in this Cafe de la Leche, please keep attending this monthly gathering!”
— Jean Pierre Santoni, General Manager of Scotiabank La Romana and Casa de Campo (pictured right with Inge Demyttenaere)
About the Café de la LecheThe Cafe de la Leche is a monthly charitable event, a little like a coffee or a tea party held for the ladies of Casa de Campo (although men are occasionally invited) and usually takes place on the first Friday of the month, hosted by a member of the Casa de Campo villa at her Casa de Campo villa or occasionally restaurant/business. Click here to find out more and for PHOTOS of previous Café de la Leche events!