Red Cross hosts ‘relaxation party’

“It is a relaxation party.” That is how Hope Munroe, president of the local chapter of the Red Cross, described Saturday night’s fundraiser.

Saturday Night on the Deck with Red Cross was held at the rustic and “affordable” venue on Trafalgar Road, St Andrew. The gates, opened at 6 p.m. and early guests were greeted by soothing background music. Around 9:30 p.m., guest DJ Craig Ross took over, and the promised oldies musical dance session commenced. The swollen crowd rocked to songs from reggae artistes such as Marcia Griffiths and Dennis Brown, along with music from other genres.

“We have to fund ourselves, so we have to try various activities to raise funds. We get funding for projects, but to fund ourselves and our capacity, funding has to come from the local community,” Munroe told The Gleaner, explaining the reason behind the staging of the event.

“The main focus is on the ticket sale, and that is where we are going to be earning,” Munroe continued.

“In order to fulfil our capacity, we need to have that foundation. We need to have our ambulances, first aid training kits to train staff, [and] we need to have the warehouse ready, and in a critical condition, to hold the release supplies sent to us.”

VISIBILITY

Audrey Mullings, a member of the fundraising team, stated another objective of the party.

“Visibility. We need to remind the Jamaican public that the Red Cross is still here, still serving the community, so they need, to assist us, so that in times of need we will be able to assist them,” she said.

Over the years, the Red Cross has organised other fundraising events, although they were not as publicised as the organisaton would have liked. One was a tea party and fashion show held in April. And based on that show’s success, there will be a repeat. The fundraising team will next review Saturday Night on the Deck with Red Cross to see if it, too should be restaged.