The Tribune

THE Annual Red Ribbon Ball will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with organisers promising prizes ranging from a $10,000 shopping spree to five round-trip tickets to destinations around the world.

Scheduled for November 16 at the Grand Ballroom of Atlantis, the event has been widely supported in the past and usually raises 50 per cent of the funds needed by the Bahamas AIDS Foundation to run its programmes every year.

In fact, the Red Ribbon Ball is annually tagged as the “not to be missed” event courtesy of its partners and sponsors whose continued and generous support enables the Bahamas AIDS Foundation to make a tangible difference to those who suffer from and are stigmatised daily by an HIV/AIDS status.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas is second only to sub-Saharan Africa and is the number one killer in the Bahamas among 15-49 year olds.

This year’s ball will be set to a backdrop of a Cirque du Soleil theme entitled, “Believe in Zero” with entertainment by Bahamian music greats such as Fred Ferguson and Tingum Dem along with Ira Storr and The Spank Band.

The raffle prizes include a $10,000 shopping spree at John Bull, five round trip tickets to destinations around the world courtesy of American Airlines with hotel accommodations, courtesy of the British Colonial Hilton.

As usual, a Silent Auction will include a variety of lifestyle luxuries, including designer goods, a week-end getaway, a catered chef dinner party, artwork and jewellery. Ball committee members urge guests not to miss the ‘happy hour’ cocktail time as the party and the ‘action’ starts promptly at 7pm.

Tickets are available at the Foundation offices at 14 Delancey Street (opposite John Watling’s Distillery) from 9.30am - 11.30am, Monday to Friday, 325-9326/7 or e-mail aidsfoundationbahamas@yahoo.com or redribbonball2013@gmail.com.