“CELEBRATING OUR FAMILY OF ISLANDS – TOGETHER FOR HUMANITY”
The 70th annual Red Cross Fair will be held on March 3, 2012 in the lower gardens of Government House Grounds.
The Co-Chairpersons of this annual event – Pauline Allen-Dean and Darnell Bain along with the hard working committee members have again organized an exciting and fun-filled day for the entire family.
Each year the fair caters to thousands of individuals who pass through the gates to enjoy themselves in a wholesome family activity, with games, delicious foods and rides. The grounds are transformed to a soothing and refreshing ambiance and every effort is made to ensure the comfort and safety of those in attendance.
This year there are the usual favourites – conch fritters, guava duff, straw work crafted by our local artisans, hoop la, punch board, balloons, cotton candy, plants and the list goes on.
This event, one of the major fundraisers of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, ensures the continued work of the various programmes. Some of the various programmes are as follows:
- MEALS-ON-WHEELS – A hot meal is delivered daily to shut-ins and physically challenged persons who are not able to prepare a meal for themselves in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
- SCHOOL MILK SCHEME – Fresh milk is provided to vulnerable children in the Family Island Schools to supplement their daily diet.
- DISASTER AND EMERGENCY RELIEF ASSISTANCE -The Society offers a wide range of assistance to members of the community who suffer loss as a result of flooding, fire, hurricane, tornado or any other type of disaster.
- RENTAL OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT – Items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and hospital beds are made available to persons from the community who might need these services. Rental fee is minimal.
- TRAINING – The Society offers a wide range of courses in basic and advanced First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Disaster Preparedness, Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA), Damage And Needs Assessment (DANA), Shelter Management and HIV/AIDS Education in New Providence and the Family Islands.
- FIRST AID SERVICE – Trained volunteers of the Society provide First Aid and/or Ambulance Services to national events, sports meets, road races and other functions as the need arises.
- JUNIOR RED CROSS/RED CROSS YOUTH – The Youth Department offers a variety of activities for the young. These include seminars both at home and abroad, International exchange programmes, training in first aid, CPR, and HIV/AIDS education, sporting activities, service to handicapped children and senior citizens, and day camps.
- AFTER-SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAMME – This club provides structured activities for vulnerable children ages 6-16 years between the hours of 3:30pm-5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
- ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES – The Society provides food, clothing, bedding and other personal items to the Detention Centre for distribution to illegal immigrants as well as political and economic refugees.
- FAMILY ISLAND SERVICES – The Society provides Welfare and emergency relief services as well as training in First Aid, CPR and Disaster Preparedness to residents in the Family Islands. The Society also has a Communication Network among the member groups in ten (10) islands.
All of these activities are funded by the Society’s various fundraising efforts. Through the tireless assistance of our staff and numerous volunteers, we are able to provide unselfish service to our brothers and sisters throughout the Bahamas.
We take this opportunity to thank all of our stallholders and look forward to seeing you at the fair.
2012 Red Cross Fair Committee
Standing from left to right: Mr. Jerry Smith, Dr. Andree Hanna, Ms. Della Darville, Mrs. Viola Heastie-Knowles- Secretary, Ms. Darnell Bain-Co-Chairperson, Ms. Philadenria Russell, Mrs. Prisca Gibbs, Ms. Mary Wilkinson, Mrs. Cynthia Maynard and Mr. Patrick Strachan
Seated from left to right: Mr. Brendon Watson-President, Mrs. Pauline Allen-Dean-Co-Chairperson, Mrs. Caroline Turnquest-Director General, Mrs. Beryl Adams and Mrs. Dorothy Hepburn-King
Missing are: Mrs. Gloria Brown, Mr. Z. Wilshire Bethel, Mr. Dilith Nairn, Ms. Kyron Strachan, Mrs. Helen Smith, Mr. Robert Pantry and Mrs. Beverly Wallace Whitfield
