WASHINGTON -- Following Hurricane Sandy's devastation on the East Coast, the National Confectioners Association's Confectionery Foundation has established the Rockaway Disaster Relief Fund to help aid in the recovery of the community of the Rockaway Peninsula, a peninsula of Long Island in the New York City borough of Queens that is home to NCA member company Madelaine Chocolate.
Jorge Farber, president and CEO of Madelaine Chocolate, has agreed to serve as the executor of the fund.
"Jorge is on the ground in the community and will have a deep understanding of how our donations can best be used by various local organizations," said NCA president Larry Graham.
"There are many people trying to help the community, but the needs are tremendous at this time and our donations will make a difference to the local police and fire departments, food banks, and community shelters."
The association is accepting donations to the fund through Nov. 14.
The NCA has been in touch with many of its members in the areas that received the most damage to ensure the safety of their employees and facilities. Some NCA members have contacted it to offer help with maintenance, storage and other services to companies that were affected by the recent storms.
In other NACA news, the association has announced Mike Krzyzewski--head coach of Duke University's Blue Devils basketball team for more than 30 years--as speaker at the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo, May 21-23, 2013, in Chicago.
The hall of famer and national championship winner known as "Coach K" has made a career of motivating people, on and off the court. He was also named "America's Best Coach" of all coaches, in any sport, at any level of play in 2001 by Time magazine and CNN. In addition, he led the U.S. men's basketball team to their second consecutive gold medal at the2012 Summer Olympics. He has led Duke to 4 NCAA Championships, 11 Final Fours, 13 Atlantic Coast Conference championships and an NCAA-record 12 30-win seasons.
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