C.F.A.O. , the Council For Filipino American Organizations of Central Florida was awarded the Alex Esclamado Award for Community Service at the State level by the National Federation of Filipino – American Associations (NAFFAA) during its national convention on August 7 to 10, 2014 in San Diego California. Named in honor of its revered founder Alex Esclamado, the award was launched by NAFFAA to further encourage Filipino – Americans to actively participate in community affairs and civic engagement. The citation partially reads…
“At the National level, it (CFAO) affiliates with NAFFAA to advance Fil-Am causes and the Fil-Am Veterans Equity Law, assists the Embassy in Consular Outreach, State involvement is with the Filipino – American Coalition and Political Alliance conferences; the 2010 Sunshine State Census; projects in the Philippines and Central Florida; providing relief to calamity victims, building school in Cotabato, donating funds to Bantay Bata, providing college scholarships and fostering trade and commerce between the Philippines and Florida.”
“The Council serves volunteers at the Coalition of the Homeless and local soup kitchens, bimonthly health screenings at senior centers, volunteer work for physically and mentally challenges youth, annual feeding at the Boys ranch, and providing financial support to Filipinos in need. The Council has advanced Fil-Am visibility in the community, helped build the Bataan-Corregidor Monument in Kissimmee to honor WW II Filipino and American Veterans, and with Mayor of Orlando. Hon. Glenda Hood, built the Jose Rizal bust at the International Plazaat Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.”
Member organizations of CFAO through the years are : Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation; Bayanihan Ladies International Association; Faith Foundation of Orlando; Fil-Am Association of Osceola/South Orange; Fil-Am Veterans Association; Ilonggo Association of Central Florida; Order of the Knights of Rizal; Ladies For Rizal Auxiliary; Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, Bayanihan Association Wedgefield and Vismindaluz Association.
