Sylma Brown
Friday, October 31, 2014
Nearly a dozen health facilities in Dominica are to receive support from Dominican civic groups based in the US state of New Jersey. The groups have raised over EC$20,000 from the recent Dominica Cultural Awards Gala held at the beautiful, historic Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, New Jersey, late last month.
“All of the money raised at the gala will be utilized to source and ship medical supplies that are currently being collected for shipment before the end of the year to clinics across the island,” said Sylma Brown, the chairwoman of the planning committee.
“We were pleased that as expected, the event was sold out and that Dominicans and guests in attendance were treated to an evening of authentic Dominican culture. It was a labour of love to organize the event and a pleasure see it unfold as it did,” she added.
Already the event has seen its first beneficiaries, with the New Jersey based dance group, Know Your Culture, using the opportunity to present two of its teen dancers, Kerille Bruno and Sydney Stewart, with academic scholarship funding to assist with their tertiary education. Special recognition awards for tireless support of their Dominican communities were also presented to Frances Delsol, Dominica American Relief and Development Association, Inc. (DARDA) and Melanie George.
The Gala – an annual event now in its second year - is a fund-raiser in support of education, health, social and cultural events in Dominican communities. This year’s event was dedicated to supporting health services in Dominica. It was organized by the Dominica Sisserou International; Dominica United Cricket Club, Know Your Culture Dance Troupe, the North American Association for the Advancement of La Plaine, the Northeast US Wesley Committee and the Eden & Emelia Baptiste Memorial Foundation.
Following a warm welcome by Heather Etienne and a powerful Invocation by Rev. William Benjamin, Frances Delsol, the special guest speaker delivered an uplifting and motivational message; Justina Henderson did a stellar job as Master of Ceremony and guests were entertained by Know Your Culture Dance Troupe, The Jing Ping Band, Conte by Darius Moses, Mouth Organ rendition by John Bruney, Fashion Through the Ages Fashion Show by Nyrle Robin, The Waltz by Benedict John Baptiste and Sabenia Mingo and dance music by DJ Bolo. The mouthwatering menu was prepared and served by Melanie George and the Vote of Thanks delivered by Fellena Telemaque.
The event was sponsored by DomCan Development, Dr. Irving Pascal, Discover Dominica Authority, Juliana’s Classic Dishes and SF Pathway through the kind involvement of Dorian Shillingford.
The Committee extends sincere thanks to the venue management, volunteers, sponsors, participants, supporters and guests for their contribution to the success of the event.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Gala which has been set for 26 September, 2015, at the same location, when the committee anticipates greater support from the Dominican community and friends of Dominica.
