The Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida (RMHC) has honored CREI Holdings Managing Member Raul Rodriguez with the 12 Good Men Awards 2024. These awards recognize exceptional men for their outstanding achievements, leadership, and positive community impact.
The Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization that provides support to families with children in critical condition. Its core mission is to keep these families together and near the county’s main hospitals where their children receive medical treatment, serving as a source of assistance during difficult times.
“It’s an honor to receive the Twelve Good Men Award from the Ronald McDonald House,” Raul said. “I share this recognition with everyone involved in the Li’l Abner Foundation because our community work is a team effort. I’m grateful for their dedication, commitment to making a difference, and for embracing my vision to help children reach their full potential, regardless of their socio-economic background. Every child deserves the chance to thrive and live a productive life. This award motivates us to keep working hard to expand the Foundation’s work in our community.”
The Li’l Abner Foundation provides a range of free after-school programs, from tutoring to dance, archery, and taekwondo classes, catering to low-income students in Miami-Dade County and beyond. Since its inception in 2009, the foundation has positively influenced the lives of over 20,000 children. Additionally, it offers scholastic opportunities such as scholarships for students to attend Belen Jesuit Preparatory School from 6th to 12th grades and scholarships for adults to pursue degrees at Florida International University for up to 5 years. Raul’s overarching goal is clear: to enhance the lives of all residents within our community.
The Foundation also organizes an annual Disney on Wheels trip, where over 50 low-income medically fragile children go to the Magic Kingdom to fulfill their dreams. This all-expenses-paid trip includes the children, their parents, and medical teams, ensuring that families face no financial burden in experiencing this magical journey. Next year, Raul expects to double the number of children the Foundation will be taking to Disney on Wheels.
Each November, the Li’l Abner Foundation hosts a heartwarming Thanksgiving Bash for the residents of Sweetwater in Miami-Dade County. This special event offers a day filled with joy and activities for low-income children and their families, featuring rides, a petting zoo, free toys, turkey raffles, and the serving of around 3,000 complimentary lunches for all attendees. It’s a cherished occasion that brings the community together to celebrate and create lasting memories.
This year, the Ronald McDonald House’s 12 Good Men Awards also recognized local elected officials, philanthropists, and businessmen for their significant contributions to enhancing the South Florida community. Among them are Ron Book, President and CEO of Ronald L. Book P.A.; Steve Zack, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP; Steve Stowe, VP/Executive Director of the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund; and Jonathan Babicka, CEO of The Little Lighthouse Foundation, among others.
About CREI Holdings:
Founded in 1982, CREI Holdings is firmly committed to delivering and managing world-class, affordable- workforce housing developments that meet critical housing needs in Miami-Dade County. CREI helps generate economic growth in the community and supports hard-working families, seniors and local youth. Building well-thought-out affordable housing communities has helped residents and the neighborhood build a stronger sense of community and contribute solutions to the region’s affordable housing crisis. CREI has completed Li’l Abner I and Li’l Abner II totaling 414 affordable and workforce housing units and is currently planning Li’l Abner III with 316 units. For more information visit: www.creiholdings.com
