The Tribune

ROTARY clubs in the eastern United States and across the Caribbean Basin are combining resources to promote Community Service Projects reflecting Rotary International’s six areas of focus.

These are basic education and literacy, economic and community development, disease prevention and treatment, peace and conflict prevention/resolution, water and sanitation, maternal and child health. From Delaware to Trinidad, the Rotary Club of East Nassau (RCEN) has chosen the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation to fulfil the organisation’s commitment.

Erin Jones, member of RCEN and The Heart Ball Committee, spearheaded the project. She said that 67,500 Rotarians in as many as approximately 1,600 clubs will be collectively making a difference for thousands of families in hundreds of communities.

“All members in our club have already committed to helping The Heart Foundation in our community. We are hoping the citizens and businesses in our area embrace our mission and help us.”

The project, known as Rotary Has Heart, is being highlighted by Rotary clubs as the signature project in the first quarter of the year. The mission of the Sassoon Heart Foundation is to assist children in the Bahamas with heart disease. Within the past three years, 32 children received lifesaving surgeries through the foundation. Medical expenses have escalated over the past few years from $10,000 to $20,000 per case to an average of $55,000 to $75,000.

The annual Heart Ball is the foundation’s major fundraiser. Because of escalating costs, the help of corporate Bahamas and civic-minded residents is needed for the foundation to continue making a difference in the lives of children. RCEN encourages the public to give generously to the foundation year around and to support their events: the Heart Ball in February and annual Tea Party & Fashion Show in the fall.