Friday, June 23, 2006

NRF's Director of Marketing and Development, Cynthia
Arie (left) introduces Sandy Hew (right), winner of the
hat competition.

Although not a common kind of entertainment here in the Cayman Islands, the National Recovery Fund's (NRF) "Night at the Races" fundraiser held at Grand Old House recently netted nearly $150,000 for the Fund's programme to repair and rebuild homes for those in need after the impact of Hurricane Ivan.

Though it rained on the evening, the going was still good and over 200 guests turned out to participate in the "Night at the Races" raffle, best hat competition and live and silent auctions that were the main features of the evening's entertainment.

"We are very pleased that this event turned into a spectacular evening of entertainment and was very successful in raising money for the National Recovery Fund," said Cynthia Arie, Director of Marketing and Development for the NRF.

"Our thanks must go to the many sponsors and supporters who provided funds and valuable items for the auctions, as well as dozens of volunteers who gave their time to ensure a first-class evening."

Throughout the evening, guests watched eight taped horse races on TV screens placed at different points at the venue with many chances to participate in a raffle, based on the eight races.

Upon arrival, each person received a packet with raffle tickets for the first race and thereafter could buy as many tickets as they wished for subsequent races. The raffle was set up so that each ticket holder was assigned a random number which corresponded with a particular horse.

First, second and third place winning tickets for each race were placed in a draw to be eligible for the grand prize of a trip to the 2007 Kentucky Derby. The second place prize was a trip to Miami's South Beach (airfare and accommodation) and third prize was a trip to Montego Bay (airfare and accommodation).

In true horse race style, guests were invited to dress in their finest hats and the hat competition which proved to be a spectacle in itself. Ladies showed up adorned in elegant and very creatively made hats that helped to capture the jovial tone of the night.

Participants voted for the best hat of the evening and Sandy Hew walked away with the top hat prize of a half day spa treatment at the Ritz-Carlton. The second place winner of the hat competition received a prize of tea for two at the Ritz, and the third place winner received a coupon for an hour massage at the Westin.

At the end of the night, Susan Lindsay took the raffle prize for the trip to the Kentucky Derby. Second prize went to Noel Mawbray and the third place winner was Jean Claude Emard.

Proceeds from the night's event were matched by the Dart Foundation, which also sponsored the event to the tune of $12,500. The Foundation recently contributed US$500,000 to the Fund's housing rebuilding programme, with a pledge to match that contribution, should the fund receive corporate sponsorship up to US$500,000 throughout this year.

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