The Salvation Army, Eastern Jamaica Division Advisory Board, which comprises persons from corporate Jamaica and Salvation Army officers, staged its fund-raising silent auction at New Kingston's Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Funds raised from the event go towards the Army's outreach activities, clinics, Salvation Army School for the Blind, its various children's homes, feeding programmes, disaster preparedness and relief.

This year, a significant sum was raised from the silent auction, which is often well supported by dinner guests. This year's most significant donation to the auction was Fly Jamaica Airways' contribution of two return tickets to New York.

Hotels, including Couples Resorts and Strawberry Hill, donated free nights. Local artists pitched in with choice pieces of artwork. Telecommunications firm Digicel, contributed smartphones, hot bid items after dinner. Guests also bid on Puma gear, shoes from Payless, gym and recreational club memberships, housewares and gift certificates.

Guest speaker at the event was Christopher Issa, owner of the Spanish Court Hotel.