The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net 

The Heart Ball committee is making final preparations for its major annual fundraising event this Saturday.

The 53rd Heart Ball will be held on February 11 at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort beginning at 7.15pm with cocktails.

Described as “an evening filled with love, laughter, excitement, dancing and a soulful good time”, the Heart Ball committee said the gala event will allow those in attendance to help raise money to repair the hearts of children. 

Entertainment for the black-tie affair will be provided by the Ed Brice Orchestra/Soulful Groovers, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Pop Band and Gary “Super “ Johnson. 

There will be a special raffle for a his and hers OMEGA watch sponsored by John Bull, as well as a general raffle with 10 prizes, with the first place pick valued at more than $5,000. The silent auction prizes include jewellery, artwork, a handbag, a trip and a home-cooked meal by a celebrated chef.

A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the prestigious Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award, named in honour of Evelyn Barnes, Lady Sassoon, the foundation’s founder and patron. This award goes to persons who give of themselves selflessly to help their fellow men and women. 

The Heart Foundation relies heavily on funds raised from the ball to support the life-saving work it does in helping those in dire need of heart surgery.

Marilyn Cambridge, chairperson of the ball, said the committee hopes guests can be generous in their donations this year, as the lives of many sick children depend on it. 

“The main purpose of the ball is to raise as much funds as possible to accommodate heart surgeries for Bahamian children. To date, the Heart Foundation has assisted over 4,000 children with heart disease with no major contribution from the government. At birth, the children’s problems are diagnosed as pre-existing conditions and are not covered by insurance companies. Each surgery averages between $50,000 to $75,000, with some special surgeries – including hospitalisation and after-care – costing over $100,000. There is always a wait list and most situations are urgent,” she said.

The Heart Ball committee is the main fundraising arm of the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. Every year, the committee works from June to February to make the ball a reality, soliciting ads, gifts, donations and sponsors.

While the committee has not set a target sum, it hopes to raise enough money from the ball to help send several children for surgery. 

The committee also makes a special appeal for donations from those who may have been assisted in any way by the organisation in the past.

“People should come out to the event or give a donation to the foundation to support the surgeries of the children. We are assisting children, mostly under five years, who cannot speak for themselves. Some persons may not even have been told of their assistance or surgeries as a child (which the foundation as assisted with since 1961), but if each person with their families who was assisted could give back at least $100 per annum, they could assist others who are now in their plight,” said Ms Cambridge.