GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP Q2 2018 NEWSLETTER

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T O B E PA R T O F E V E R Y F O O D E X P E R I E N C E atalanta + camerican + de medici + finica + khi + jf braun + swiss chalet fine foods + tipico

UPDATE 2018-Q2 ISSUE 2

HIGHLIGHTS 02

GELLERT GIVING TEAMS

Build a Bike Do natio ns

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AWARD-WINNERS

De Medici Sweeps Up

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SFFS LAUNCH EVENTS

Successful Kickoff Events

GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

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CHAIRMAN’S NOTE

UPDAT E O N G G G I NI TI AT IV E S FROM G EO RG E G . GE L L E RT, C H AI R M AN & CEO

“We are excited about our potential sales pipeline, as well as our expectations to grab margin and work on efficiencies that deliver excellent results for the entire team. We appreciate everyone’s ongoing contributions toward making 2018 a success for our employees, our customers,and our suppliers.”

- G. G. Gellert

P IPE L INE CO MMIT T E E S M A K I NG P R OGR E SS Seven cross-functional teams have dedicated themselves to improving our processes and bottom line. They are working together, making progress and determined to make an impact in the organization. Look for updates on their efforts in the coming months.

ANCO INTEGRATION CREATES OPPORTUNITIES IN SEVERAL TRADE CHANNELS Atalanta now has the largest and most diverse imported cheese portfolio in the United States. This position secures Atalanta as a significant player in the imported cheese business.

Atalanta now has a direct relationship with one of the top retailers in the US, giving our suppliers and us a direct path to 1,200 supermarkets. We now support our new customer with five full-time merchandisers and service with our Gellert South operations team.

As a result of this acquisition, Swiss Chalet Fine Foods, a GGG company, is now in the dedicated cruise line distribution business.

This market is underserved, as the cruise industry continues to be the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. Our existing base of operations in Miami is ideally situated to service this market

—35% of the 27 million cruises deploy to the Caribbean. We also service the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Miami is ideally situated to service this market—35% of the 27 million cruises deploy to the Caribbean.

Mr. Geo rge G .

Gellert Celeb rates h is 8 0 th Birthd ay !

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GELLERT GLOBAL GIVING BUILDS 14 BIKES FOR DONATION

Our employees participated in the Build A Bike Team Building Event across the GGG companies. Once completed, these bikes were donated to various shelters and nonprofit organizations. It was a fun teambuilding event for a worthy cause. Stay tuned for our next event!

DO YOU HAVE UNIQUE STORIES TO SHARE? The Giving Team wants to highlight our employees that take time to work with nonprofit organizations, mentor children or volunteer at their local charities. Inspirational stories and acts of kindness can make a difference in the lives of people. We want to share these stories with everyone.

Please send information to givingteam@gellertglobalgroup.

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

DE MED IC I R ECE I VE S TH RE E 2 0 18 S OFI AWA RDS F ROM THE S PECI A L T Y F OOD ASSOCI ATI ON

Villa Manodori Dark Cherry Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, the gold winner for Vinegar, is 3 Michelin-starred Chef Massimo Bottura’s prized balsamic, aged nine years in Vignola cherry wood. This is the third time a Villa Manodori Vinegar has been recognized with a Sofi award.

Mandranova Cerasuola Extra Virgin Olive Oil was awarded silver for Olive Oil. Hand-picked in mid-September to the beginning of October, this oil is made from the Mandranova farm’s Cerasuola olives and extracted immediately after harvest. Mandranova also received a Sofi award in 2015 for their Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Agribosco Organic Italian 10 Minute Farro received the gold for Granola and Cereal. The unmodified USDA organic grains cook in only 10 minutes. Quality control is in strict accordance with the Consortium Agrobiologico Agribosco, which comprises over 180 organic farms in Umbria, Le Marche, Lazio, Tuscany, Molise, and Puglia.

D E M E DI CI SWEEPS THE N EW YORK INTERNATIONA L O L I VE OI L COMPETITION

Gold

Gold

Silver

Four extra virgin olive oils from De Medici Imports won awards at the sixth annual New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) on April 26, 2018. Mandranova Nocellara and Marqués de Griñón received Gold awards; Frantoio Melchiorri and Miraval were awarded Silver.

Silver

The NYIOOC is the largest olive oil quality contest in the world. A record one thousand entries from 27 countries participated in the competition this year. A panel of 18 expert judges from 13 countries evaluated the olive oils over several days in New York City.

VISIT DEMEDICI.COM FOR SPECIAL PRICING ON ALL THIS YEAR’S AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS! VALID THRU JULY 2018

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AMEDEI TUSCANY, THE LUXURY ITALIAN CHOCOLATE MAKER, JOINS DE MEDICI’S BRAND PORTFOLIO The renowned chocolate maker AMEDEI TUSCANY is an exclusive partner with De Medici Imports.

AMEDEI TUSCANY is located in the picturesque town of Pontedera, outside Pisa in the Tuscan countryside. There they craft the most beautiful chocolate using only the best cocoa—Trinitario & Criollo beans—and never use soy lecithin.

Producing superior chocolate with great love and devotion, and by using genuine old-fashioned methods and antique machinery, this artisanal house is honored today as being one of the greatest chocolate makers in the world.

“We are thrilled to partner with Amedei. Their passion, pride, and excellence of product are what we strive to bring to the American market,” says Steve Kaufman, Vice President of De Medici Imports. Their reputation for making this superb chocolate is known to chocolate connoisseurs, and now we look forward to strategically expanding their reach in both retail and foodservice channels.”

Six-time winner of the London Academy of Chocolate’s prestigious “Golden Bean” award— more than any other chocolate producer— AMEDEI is a favorite of top chefs for its uniquely rich, creamy texture and complex, full-bodied flavor.

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

GUINNESSÂŽ CHEDDAR DEBUTS IN THE USA Ata la nta la un c h e d GU I NN E S S Ch e d d a r a t t he Summ er Fa n cy Fo o d Show i n N YC t h i s Ju l y.

Hannah Thompson, Business Development Manager, along with the marketing and event team, coord inated the GUINNESS Cheddar launch party at a fabulous loft in mid-town Manhattan overlooking the Empire State Building. Guests mingled on the terrace taking in the beautiful summer evening enjoying, the perfect pour of a GUINNESS, tasting the Cheddar and listening to live music. Our key accounts and press had a great time. Meanwhile, at the Javits Center, the Atalanta booth had an entire corner dedicated to GUINNESS Cheddar.

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GUINNESS CHEDDAR LAUNCH NYC 2018

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

FANCY FOOD SHOW ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS As our Vision Statement says - To Be Part of Every Food Experience...

Atalanta did just that at the Summer Fancy Food Show.

“Atalanta takes pride in creating more than simply a booth space.

We create a destination where customers can taste and explore new products and visualize marketing campaigns.”

-M. DeMaio, Atalanta Markerting Director

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NE W R ETA I L M ER C H A N D I SI N G PR O G R A M S I NT ROD U C E D AT FAN CY F O O D S H O W ATAL ANTA'S MARKETING TEAM,

“GO Dutch” BEEMSTER

led by Director of Marketing, Marissa DeMaio, created brand specific merchandising programs to engage customers at the store level, and connect with the community on social media. Marissa states, "Turnkey kits will help these prestigious and revered products from around the world gain more brand recognition in the US market.

Along with our suppliers, we created fun, interactive kits that provide both the retailer and the consumer information about these amazing products.”

THE PROMOTIONS HIGHLIGHT BEEMSTER “GO DUTCH” CHEESES FROM HOLLAND, MIFROMA “HOW DO YOU FONDUE?” FONDUE EXPRESS FROM SWITZERLAND, AND “PERFECTLY PIAVE” CHEESES FROM ITALY.

How Do You Fondue? MIFROMA

Perfectly PIAVE

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

“GO DUTCH”

For the first time Atalanta, along with their partner BEEMSTER, hosted an event specifically focusing on a branded campaign.

“Go Dutch” Campaign material was the theme of the party. Our key accounts could see the materials in use and help them visualize the “Go Dutch” Campaign in action.

Held at the historic India House in New York City’s Financial District, over 300 customers, suppliers and GGG employees attended the event.

Looks like everyone went Dutch for the evening!

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

ATALANTA HOSTS A GUIDED CHARCUTERIE TASTING AT THE IDDBA 2018 Th i s Ju n e , Atalanta hoste d a Guid ed Ch a rcu te r i e Tasting at the Inte rnatio n al Da i r y De l i Bake ry Assoc iation Show ( I D DBA ) .

Business Development Manager, Emil Rufolo conducted the tasting along with two of our expert suppliers: Paolo Tanara, Owner and President of Tanara Giancarlo Spa, and Miguel Divasson, CEO and Founder of Alimentias. Italian products included Tanara Prosciutto di Parma DOP and Recla Speck PGI. El Cerro Jamon Serrano and COVAP Jamon Iberico from Spain. Participants experienced unique flavors, learned about the methods of preparing these charcuterie staples and discovered quality items at different price points.

FABI 2018 WINNERS AT THE NRA SHOW The Atalanta Team received their FABI awards from the National Restaurant Association at the NR A Show for innovative products. The awards are for Caffe Vergnano Compostable Espresso Capsules, Menu Dorati, and Menu Shakshuka.

Paolo Tanara

Miguel Divasson

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GROCERY UPDATES

NEW CASA DIVA RED & GREEN SLICED CHERRY PEPPERS

NEW ADDITIONS TO GROCERY DEPARTMENT

With Red & Green Sliced Cherry Peppers from Casa Diva, adding texture to dishes has never been easier.

Serve on toothpicks with cheese, meats, vegetables or shrimp. Slice on top of your favorite pizza or garnish your favorite cocktail.

The Grocery team welcomed three members to the department. Kyle Christie and Ryan Markowski started as interns with the Grocery Department at the end of May. Kyle and Ryan will be working closely with our product managers on projects throughout the summer until they return to Stony Brook University and Saint Joseph’s University, respectively, in August.

Welcome Tania DeCastro to the Grocery team! Tania previously worked as a buyer with Supply Chain until her recent internal transition to Grocery. Tania now assists Daniel Sanchez as a Business Development Coordinator.

FERRARELLE A SPONSOR AT THE BOSTON PIZZA FESTIVAL Our partner Ferrarelle sponsored and participated in the Boston Pizza Festival. Attendees indulged in endless pizza samples, live entertainment, cooking demos, and games as they perused City Hall Plaza in Boston.

NEW DEL DESTINO GRAPESEED OIL With a clean taste that holds flavor well, Grapeseed Oil is an excellent base for dressings, marinades, and oil infusions of herbs and spices. Use as a substitute for olive or vegetable oils for deep frying, stir-frying and sautéing.

NATIONAL ACCOUNT TEAM Our National Account Team traveled to Nashville to partipate in Restaurant Directions to target small

CHEESE & SPECIALITY DELI

and upcoming

Welcome new Business Development Manager Sam Kane.

Balsamic Glaze

Thank-you Beemster for your cosponsorship of the Atalanta Event at the SFFS. It was a great time!

chains. They featured Goat Feta Cheese & served with Granny Smith Apples.

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

MARISSA DEMAIO HONORED AS ONE OF NJ’S BEST MARKETING PROFESSIONALS IN THE DELI BUSINESS For the fourth straight year, the NJ Ad Club put out a call for nominations for New Jersey’s best marketing and communications professionals under 40.

Marissa was nominated for her leadership and career progress, as well as for creating and achieving recognition from her peers and Atalanta.

Congratulations Marissa!

DEMOS & SHOWS

TRAINING AT FRESH POINT

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GOLDEN APPLE A MY COO K & SAMP LE ROOM AMY COOK AWA RDE D T HE GO LDE N A PPLE !

Congrats Amy! She goes the extra mile for her customers, and it has translated into years of sales success with some of the largest chain accounts in the industry.

SAM P L E RO OM R EC I E V ES G OLDEN APPLE

JON PAUL ABICH, FRANCIS SILVA,& CARLOS ORTEGA Behind the scenes, there is much juggling on a day to day basis, and many of the tasks are last minute. Rushed samples requests, sample requests without product in stock, late trade show submissions and direct shipments to customers because of delayed containers are daily occurrences.

ATAL ANTA

N EW HIRES! Q 2 2 018 Anna Aronof f Transportation S peci ali s t Ric hard Da m o u rDirec tor of S ales , Coombe Cas tle T imothy Donovan Staf f Accou n tan t Gregor y Pogo rzels k i Help Desk Tech n i ci an Rafael Rosari o Yard Joc key

With JP’s energy and enthusiasm, you never see him slow down.

Carlos and Francis have such positive attitudes and always offer a smile. “We will make it happen” is this team’s motto!

Q2

EM P L OYE E O F T H E Q UAR T E R

L A INE L A N E

Laine Lane has been recognized for her dedication, communication skills and merchandising talent. She is one who never says no to a challenge and is a natural leader.

Congrats Laine!

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

WELCOME NEW INTERNS

Kevin Delgado- NJIT- IT Antonio Brito-Kean University -Sales Michelle Bratmeyer-Ithaca College- Sales Danielle Coven- St. Joseph’s UniversityCheese Thomas Petito- Brookdale/RutgersDeMedici Jared Pomerantz- Cornell UniversityAccounting Ryan Markowski- St. Joseph’s UniversityGrocery Kyle Christie- Stoney Brook StateGrocery 6 MONTH CO-OPS Katrina El-Kik- St. Joseph’s UniversityMarketing Coleen Ducey- St. Joseph’s UniversityMarketing

(Back row to front row) Michelle Bratmeyer, Ryan Markowski, Danielle Coven, Katrina El-Kik, Coleen Ducey

(Left to right) Antonio Brito, Jared Pomerantz, Kevin Delgado, Kyle Christie, Thomas Petito

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PHASE 2 OF CAMERICAN RENOVATIONS

CAMERICAN NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH FOR BIRDS EYE BRAND

To bring some color to the newly renovated office space, specific images from suppliers are displayed in the office. Suppliers provided pictures of the products they grow from the towns and cities they come from. They received such a positive response from employees that they are ordering more!

KHI ON-BOARDS ANOTHER SMOOTHIE RETAILER After a successful test period, Tropical Smoothie Café awarded KHI about 35% of their IQF fruit business.

Items include IQF strawberry, blueberry and mango. The account is part of KHI’s growing smoothie business. Other clients include Smoothie King, Jamba Juice, Daily Harvest and Smoothie Box.

Camerican recently introduced Veggie Fries as part of their new product launch. This product is packed exclusively for Pinnacle’s Birds Eye Brand.

From their Dutch partners Scelta, the Veggie Fries are offered as Broccoli, Cauliflower and Sweet Potato, and can be combined with onions and potatoes. This is a non-GMO, clean label product that contains no artificial flavors and has fewer carbs and sugars than regular potato fries.

We are excited for what the future holds for this item, mainly because consumer demand for vegetable-based alternative meals is on the rise.

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

KHI IN MEXICO AS AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ON BLUEBERRIES The AGQ blueberry conference invited KHI to speak in Mexico on the frozen blueberry industry. KHI gave a presentation to 300 conference attendees, many of whom are involved in the production and exportation of fresh blueberries in and from Latin America. The presentation covered topics including the global market, major production countries, quality assurance and the requirements of a frozen facility for the US market.

CAMERICAN NEW HIRES COURTNEY ANAYA Label Specialist. Courtney joins us from McCann HumanCare, where she was a Senior Medical Editor, proofreading and fact-checking promotional materials for FDA submission.

FIORELLA RELLINGER Customer Account Analyst. Fiorella was at Mitsui Foods for three years where she worked closely with customers and suppliers, specifically in the juice industry.

KIMBERLY TOMASULO Customer Account Analyst.

Kimberly started out as a temp and is now full-time on the Walmart support team. Kimberly has 20+

years of experience at Sony Electronics.

a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management.

AIDA EL-SAMMA

GUIDO DEMARCO

HR intern. Aida completed her first year as a graduate student at Montclair State University, studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

SR Logistics Analyst.

Guido has more than fifteen years of experience as a logistics professional.

His most recent experience at NYK Lines North American as an Equipment Operations Analyst included forecasting inventory control and managing and analyzing equipment inventory.

MATTHEW LANDES Logistics Coordinator. Matt was with Mitsui Foods for six years in a similar Logistics role before joining Camerican.

DANIELLE SAXENIAN Accounting Intern. Danielle attends Ramapo College and is studying to obtain her MS in Accounting.

CHRISTINE YOO QA Analyst. Christine is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University where she earned an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and

SALLY YOO QA Coordinator. Sally started with us as an intern last spring and recently graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science.

KHI NEW HIRES LEONEL ORELLANA Logistics Analyst. Leo has 15 years of supply chain experience including trucking,warehousing and inventory.

ELIZABETH PERALTA Staff Accountant.

Elizabeth relocated to the Atlanta area and joined KHI after working in NY for three years for a private equity fund.

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FINICA NEW HIRES SARAH LEPELAARS

FINICA WINS TOP AWARDS AT THE CANADIAN CHEESE SHOW Finica Food Specialties took home several honors at the Canadian Cheese Awards Show, which took place on June 6th at the historic St. Lawrence Market in Toronto.

As the biggest cheese competition in Canada, the Canadian Cheese Awards is the only Canadian cheese competition open to cheeses made with all kinds of milk.

No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and no modified milk ingredients are accepted for judging.

A total of 117 finalists were selected from the 375 kinds of cheese entered by producers from Newfoundland to British Columbia.

This year, Zerto Fresh Mozzarella won for Best Fresh Pasta Filata Cheese and Best Ontario Cheese. Finica’s supplier Quality Cheese makes our Fresh Mozzarella with nothing but pure, fresh milk. It stands out for its creamy texture and mild flavor.

GRAND PRIX AWARDED TO LENBERG FARMS TRUCKLES Our new truckles take inspiration from the awardwinning cheeses currently under the Lenberg Farms brand: Lindsay Bandaged Cheddar, Tania, and Zoey. The truckles are younger versions of their counterparts, each with a distinctive flavor. Inspired by Dutch names, Luuk, Taavi, and Zander are hand-dipped in black wax and embellished with brightly colored labels.

Senior Brand Manager. In this newly created role, Sarah will be working in alignment with our supplier relationships to implement strategic marketing plans with the sales department. She will also maintain and develop our core brands to align with our budgeting objectives and profitability goals.

JAMES ANTHONY GAY Associate Brand Manager. James comes to Finica equipped with a strong background in CPG. His previous role assisting in multiple projects for a wide variety of brands will be of great value in keeping our upcoming initiatives on track.

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

CARMA® LAUNCH IN TEXAS AND PHILADELPHIA CARMA® produces all of its products in the Dübendorf factory, close to the vibrant city of Zürich in Switzerland.

There one-hundred of the most skilled and knowledgeable chocolate makers create PURE SWISS CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS for confectioners, chocolatiers and bakers every day since 1931.

At CARMA® milk is not just milk – the Swiss didn’t just invent milk chocolate; they invented extraordinary milk chocolate. This is probably why our Milk Claire 33% was crowned the “World’s Best Milk Couverture” by the Accademia Maestri Pasticceri Italiani. CARMA® product range includes chocolate, Massa Ticino.™

CHEF ROB JUST EXPERIENCED ECUADOR! Thanks to one of our chocolate lines, Cemoi. Here he is showing us where the cocoa beans come from and is in a group picture with a few of our customers.

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CO-MANAGEMENT ANNOUCEMENT Marc Eisenson and Osmel Hernandez have been named Co-Managing Directors of Swiss Chalet. Marc and Ozzie have been loyal, dedicated Swiss Chalet team members for many years. Marc oversees Sales, Marketing, and Business Development. Ozzie manages Operations.

Swiss Chalet is looking to be more engaged in the Gellert Global Group and will continue to gain from the group’s expertise and organizational structure.

NEW HIRES: CLAUDIO ISSA- Controller JULIE KOENIG- Territory Sales Representative- NE Market FEDNER LAVASSOIR- Doral Kitchen Assistant ALONDRA MENDEZ - Warehouse Corman- Los Angeles ORLANDO RODRIGUEZWarehouse Manager CormanLos Angeles Warehouse SHAMEKIA SPREWELLDairy Buyer MEAGAN TUTTLELa Rose Noire Brand Sales Team – Houston, TX LUIS VILLALOBOSWarehouse Corman- Los Angeles EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER VALERIE ESCOBAR- Employee of the Quarter SABINA TONARELLI-FREY- Leader of the Quarter

Josh Gellert was the fastest!

SCFF TAKE YOUR KIDS TO WORK DAY

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP

Th e G eller t G l oba l G r o u p P e rs on al N ote s Congratulations to Michael Palaikis from Atalanta on baby boy!

Michael Joseph Michael Joseph Palaikis was born at 12:39 am Palaikis on May 17, 2018.

Swiss Chalet Fine Food’s Michelle Faciciolla on her baby boy!

Gio Robert Facciolla born on June 1st, weighing in at 9.5lbs, 21.5 in.

SAL MAZZELA RETIRES FROM ATALANTA After 40 years, Sal Mazzela retired from Atalanta this year. Sal was a key part of the Cheese Department’s growth. He helped the department grow and exceed. Additionally, he has trained many staff members, passing his vast knowledge to other employees. Tom Gellert, President of Atalanta states in an interview, “I owe alot to Sal, besides my family, he has been of one of the main teachers I had throughout my career.”

Sal’s passion for all things cheese, his drive, and determination for the business and his ability to establish strong partnerships with our customers, suppliers and fellow employees will be missed.

We wish him all the best in the next steps of his journey!

STORIES TO SHARE

Victor Quiñones-Disla

A Fire Truck is Donated to the Dominican Republic The Gellert Global Giving Team would like to start sharing stories about our employee’s contributions to charities, nonprofits or other goodwill efforts. This story, brought to us by Sarah Mylod, is remarkable.

Victor Quiñones-Disla is an independent truck driver working with Atalanta since 1991. He tells the story of how his hometown of Laguna Salada in the Dominican Republic was in desperate need of a newer fire engine. With the help of his son-in-law, Hoboken, NJ Firefighter Ralph Eusebio, Victor partnered with a team of firemen in Pennsylvania and Ohio to find a truck. They eventually found a 1991 firetruck from Aliquippa, PA. Victor’s hometown of Laguna Salada honored him and the firefighters that organized this

donation. Victor and the firemen have donated two more trucks, kids toys and baseball equipment to two other communities in the Dominican Republic!

SHARE YOUR STORIES SEND AN EMAIL TO globalgiving@gellertglobalgroup.com

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A L OOK @Q2

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GELLERT GLOBAL GROUP