ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 5th, 2012 - The Rotary Club of Tortola is thrilled to announce that the Club raised $100,000 on Saturday night at the 10th annual Grand Affair auction and dinner held at the Scrub Island Resort, which was attended by approximately 140 Rotarians and guests.
“The best way to describe the evening is superb,” declared the club’s President Brian Liverpool. “We were well supported and I am pleased to say that we raised $100,000.
Rotarian Joyce Murraine who served on the organizing committee summed up the evening, “This year was by far the most difficult one to raise funds as so many businesses and persons are being conservative because of the slowdown in the Global economy which affects local profits. So, to have had the turnout we did on Saturday and to raise $1000,000.00 is just remarkable!
One of the Co-chairs of the event Rotarian Geraldine Ritter-Freeman explained that she has a new found appreciation for volunteerism after the 2012 Grand Affair. “The committee worked tirelessly and beyond the call of duty to pull off this event because we genuinely believe that it is for a worthy cause.
The generosity of the public blew me away, I recognize that these are difficult economic times but the community especially the business community responded beyond our expectations. Volunteerism is critical for the sustainability of any community and I recommend it highly,” she said.
“The array of auction prizes was absolutely amazing, there was something for every patron. The ambience, festive ‘Latin’ surroundings and atmosphere made the evening a most memorable one,” she added.
Throughout the evening, persons had the opportunity to bid on both silent and live items and prior to the event sponsors and donors gave willingly to the cause. Additionally, the National BVI Culinary Team “Wowed’ everyone with their culinary award winning skills. The tickets this year were reduced to $175 from $200 last year this allowed for perfect attendance at the event and hence the grand sum raised.
President of the Rotary Club of Tortola..….
The event proceeds will benefit a cross sector of the Virgin Islands community. However, the beneficiaries identified this year are the MAKOS Swim Club, National BVI Culinary Team, person with Autism and micro businesses.
Most of the prizes were resort and hotel stays, weekend get-a-way packages, day sails and jewellery. Premium prizes included NBA tickets for a Hornets and Heats game donated by Presidente USA, a diamond ring from Colombian Emeralds, dinner for eight with his Excellency the Governor Boyd McCleary, lunch with business man Richard Branson, plastic surgery complements of Bouganvillea and a London getaway that included tickets on Virgin Atlantic and tickets to the theatre.
The Rotary Club of Tortola extends gratitude to all who made a contribution to the 2012 Grand Affair whether via donations, sponsorship, through volunteerism or attending the event.
The Rotary Club of Tortola meets every Thursday at noon at the Moorings Restaurant.
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