Dole Food Company Gathers for 21K La Ceiba Fundraising Run Event; Hector Ferrera Shares
CHARLOTTE, NC - Hundreds of team members representing Dole Food Company converged across four different countries for a 21K fundraising run on February 21. The fourth annual 21K La Ceiba fundraising run brought together Dole subsidiary Standard Fruit de Honduras and Dole teammates in Honduras, Guatemala, United States, and Italy in support of residents in La Ceiba, Honduras.
“When we first began in 2018, the objective was simply to encourage a healthy lifestyle among Dole employees,” said Hector Ferrera, General Manager, Honduras and Guatemala. “We quickly saw a greater opportunity for participation among the broader community to raise funds and awareness that could support non-profit organizations that benefit local residents of La Ceiba. Now it has gone international at Dole.”
The event this year included more than 800 runners, ultimately raising more than $10,000 for social, therapeutic, and educational programs for residents of the Honduran city. For more than 122 years, La Ceiba, Honduras’ fourth largest city, has headquartered Standard Fruit de Honduras, a press release noted. Over the past four years, the event has evolved from an internal health initiative to a national event.
Funds raised this year benefit the Centro de Rehabilitación Integral del Litoral Atlántico, an organization focused on the comprehensive rehabilitation of people living with disability through physical therapy, psychological support, hydrotherapy, and special education. Additionally, the Cancer Foundation of La Ceiba works toward early detection and treatment of cancer in the Atlantic Coast area of the country.
“As a company, Dole appreciates organizing, sponsoring, and supporting these types of activities that are improving the quality of life for many people in need,” added Ferrera. “We look forward to seeing more runners here every year."
The event also contributes to the city’s economic benefit by bringing together large groups of people from across the country, all utilizing La Ceiba’s local services such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
We tip our hats to the more than 800 runners who made this possible!
