The Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance will present their first “Toast” event on Monday, at 6 p.m. as Gilbert Portela is toasted to benefit the Main Street program.
“This programing event has historically only included Roasts, and now we have added the option of a Toast as well. When Gilbert agreed to be toasted, we knew this would be a great event,” said Sherry Hux, Main Street director for RABA. “His willingness to participate is another example of his strong sense of community spirit, his support for this area and in this example, our Main Street program and RABA.”
He has given back to his community by serving in many capacities. He was a member of the Roanoke Rapids school board, recreation department advisory board where he served as chairman for five years, American Red Cross Board, PTA President and treasurer of the Sports club at RRHS for many years.
For 33 years he has coached area youth in basketball, baseball, football and soccer. He also served on the board that brought soccer to Roanoke Rapids in 1982. He started the boys’ basketball program at Chaloner Middle School and coached the first year of the program. For many years he also gave free basketball clinics for our children and worked on the radio broadcast of our high school’s football, basketball and baseball games.
Several years ago, Mr. Portela started a ministry that provides assistance to needy families and children in the area with items free of charge; such as clothing, food, toys, shoes and furniture. Starting in one classroom of an empty school building, Angel’s Closet has grown into a 15,000 square foot building that assisted 1,349 families and 2,390 children in 2011 alone.
Angle’s Closet also helps area students with education related expenses. They awarded seven $500 college scholarships, funded field trips for $750, rented cap and gowns for underprivileged seniors and paid for college applications and fees as just a few examples of their work. “Thanks to the involvement of so many people from our area, this year Angel’s Closet will soon award eleven $1,000 college scholarships to a graduating senior from each of the area’s high schools and one homeschooled student.”
Portela will be toasted by friends and colleagues, including Al Haskins, Bill Shearin and Phil Hux to name a few. “If you know Gilbert, you will want to be there that night,” said Hux. “I can guarantee an exciting night for all.”
A social will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the toast at 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling david’s Restaurant at 252-537-3262. Dinner and entertainment is $30 per person, and there are no “entertainment only” seats. Tickets are selling quickly, so those who are interested in attending are encouraged to make reservations immediately.
Proceeds are split between RABA and the restaurant. The event is designed to raise money for RABA to revitalize the uptown and downtown business district of Roanoke Rapids.
For more information about the event or RABA, visit roanokeavenue.com.
