Continental Food and Beverage Inc. / Inca Kola USA joined the Super Bowl celebrations with their Fifth Annual Game Week Kick-Off Reception, to commemorate Hispanics in Sports! This year’s event took place at the iconic World of Coca-Cola venue. Preliminary figures in the world of sports, business, entertainment, and the famous Coca-Cola polar bear were in presence to this remarkable event.
CF&B/Inca Kola USA has always prided itself on the support it offers to local community organizations and businesses, the company believes there are plenty of individual players who have special causes and efforts that they support. Elizabeth Chalas Berman, President, and CEO of Continental Food and Beverage Inc./ Inca Kola USA inspiring opening remarks expounded the companies initiative to provide recognition and acknowledgment to Hispanics in the world of sports for their outstanding accomplishments both on and off the field. The program aims to enhance the positive image of Hispanics by highlighting the great community work being done by these professionals. “We’ve chosen Super Bowl week as a good platform to bring recognition to Hispanic athletes that are not only doing great things on the field but also in their communities,” said Randall “Randy” Berman, chief operating officer of Continental Food and Beverage Inc./Inca Kola USA.
As the event’s master of ceremonies, Mariela Romero, Univision’s regional director of community empowerment and journalist, prominently featured the honorees’ dedication, hard work, and involvement in the community and civic affairs in the famous Coca-Cola theater, there was no question that the highlight of the event was definitely the Athlete of the Year award, presented to Josef Martínez. The Atlanta native and a US Major League Soccer 2018 MVP; joined forces with major charity organizations in charge of collecting supplies such as first aid kits, nutritional supplements, and hygiene products for underserved families in Martinez’s home country of Venezuela. Martinez discussed his responsibility as an athlete to give back to his home country, “Athletes have a role to play… A message on the internet can help lift a person’s spirits, but it doesn’t feed that person…I hope people say that there’s a Venezuelan who is doing good things and that someone knows about Venezuela because of me.” stated Martinez.
Followed by his acceptance speech a devoted fan of Martinez, had his dream turned into a reality by meeting his favorite soccer player. “ It made him feel very special, and that’s something that we could have not done for him on our own, ” said his mother, Anabella Peruch. Like every other wish, this one was simply not possible without the generosity and support from Continental Food and Beverage Inc. / Inca Kola USA.
Miguel Almiron from the championship Atlanta United MLS Team was one of the recipients of this year’s Community Service Award for his notable work in the Humane society. Beatriz Perez, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company will be the recipient of this year’s Hispanic Leadership Award. She serves on a number of boards for community service organizations, including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The Victory Junction Gang Camp (NASCAR-funded Hole in the Wall Camps) and The Grammy Foundation.
Tony Gonzalez former NFL player and currently an analyst and announcer at FOX NFL pregame show, will be the recipient of this year’s Excellence in Media Award.
Gonzalez is a contributor to Shadow Buddies, a charity that works with hospitalized children and an Ambassador for the non-profit, Scholars’ Hope Foundation in Huntington Beach. Guests also enjoyed the World of Coca Cola amenities, such as the famous vault where the legendary secret formula of Coca Cola is secured and the fun tasting Coca Cola room where guest can taste more than 100 international and domestic beverages made by The Coca‑Cola Company.
The proceeds from this year’s events will go to the Georgia Latino Community Fund and Continental Food and Beverage Inc. / Inca Kola USA Annual Humanitarian Aid Mission to the Dominican Republic which provides basic medical exams and medicine for underprivileged children and programs for expectant mothers in need.