The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Red Cross Society yesterday officially launched plans for its 44th annual gala ball scheduled for January 30 at the Melià Nassau Beach Resort under the theme: “Passion, Pride and Pizzazz”.

Bernadette Bunch, chairperson of the Red Cross’ Ball Committee, hailed the 2016 instalment of the popular event as the best the group has to offer.

Highlighting the thought process behind the ball’s theme, she said the idea was to build on the passion officials feel for what they do, the pride in which they do it and the pizzazz they hope to deliver at the event.

“Our Red Cross Ball Committee has worked very hard since August planning a fantastic ball,” she said.

“This is the first major event of the year for the Red Cross and one of the major fundraising events for the Red Cross. We take pride in what we do.”

“For first time persons who have never been to a Red Cross Ball, I can guarantee a fantastic evening. We start with a cocktail reception at 7pm, we have dinner at 8pm, entertainment during cocktails, a five-course meal chosen by the committee for everyone to enjoy that evening; as well as a fantastic line-up of entertainment, music and wonderful raffle prizes for everyone to partake in,” she stated.

The annual ball will be held under the patronage of Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

According to Mrs Bunch, organisers are working to present the best they have to offer. She added that officials are aiming to fill roughly 50 tables, totalling 500 people. Proceeds from the ball will go towards the society’s operational expenses and fund a number of the organisation’s day-to-day programmes.

Director General of the Red Cross Society Carolina Turnquest said while the group does receive a range of donations throughout the year, most of what is received is often earmarked for crisis response efforts and not day-to-day programmes and management.

She said the donations towards the Red Cross’ regular operations – non-crisis efforts - have in recent years declined. Mrs Turnquest also noted that officials have worked to counteract the trend by increasing effort to host and produce events geared towards raising the necessary funding.

“There are so many charities now so the slice of the pie is getting smaller and of course you have what we call donor fatigue, people are just giving, giving, giving, (so they get exhausted of that trend),”she added.

Officials estimate that the organisation needs around $550,000 to $600,000 per year to run effectively.

Tickets for the gala ball can be purchased at the Red Cross’ JFK Drive headquarters.

Prices range from a $250 donation per person, to corporate table packages valued at $5,000 (gold packages) and $7,500 (platinum packages).