JAMAICA CHARITIES TAKE CENTER STAGE AT A FESTIVE WEEKEND AT THE LEGENDARY ROUND HILL

Montego Bay, JAMAICA (3/10) Over 300 diplomats, socialites, and business leaders from the US, Europe, and Jamaica gathered at the world-renowned Round Hill Hotel & Villas recently for a weekend of festivities to raise a record-breaking amount of funds for Hanover Charities, the largest charitable organization in Western Jamaica.

Round Hill, located in the Hanover Parish, has been a major fundraiser for the Hanover Charities with its annual Sugar Cane Ball every February since 1957 when the charity was founded. Last year, a Polo Invitational on the day following the Ball was introduced so successfully with additional fund raising and conviviality for the participants that it was included again this year. Hanover Charities plays a major role in the Parish and covers a wide range of projects for its citizens from very young to old. It includes the provision of reading and computer skills, funding a soup kitchen and health clinics, supplying basics to the disabled and elderly and contributing scholarships to local deserving students.

The theme of the Sugar Cane Ball this year was “The Moroccan Kasbah.” Guests decked out in Moroccan attire or Black Tie sampled a Moroccan menu as they danced the night away and put in their bids for 155 fabulous silent auction items provided by very generous international supporters. The following day, the group gathered at the Chukka Blue Polo Club for the Hanover Charities Polo Invitational, also hosted by Round Hill.

Among the notables attending these events were former US Ambassador Brenda La Grange Johnson and husband Howard, Nicole Miller and husband Kim Taipale, Bob and Veronique Pittman, Michael Smith and partner James Costos, Lennox and Violet Lewis, Daisy and Paul Soros and Vanessa Noel, co-chairperson of the fundraising committee.

Katrin Casserly, chairperson of Hanover Charities Board, said: “The money raised on these two days makes an enormous difference to the needy in our parish. Last year’s events raised nearly $200,000 and this year when the final tally is in, that amount will be increased.”

Some of the extraordinary silent auction items included a week for eight ski package at Sun Valley, a gift certificate of a pastel portrait by Barbara Hamilton, a Vaness Noel gift certificate, a white gold diamond bracelet from Tropicana Jewelers, tickets to Broadway Shows, many fashion accessories, and other travel packages.