Early this year on January 9, 2016 Her Excellency Elizabeth Carriere hosted an event “An Evening of Elegance” under her patronage as patron of the Montserrat branch of the British Red Cross. Besides being a fundraiser it was an opportunity the local branch to memorialize its over 50 years existence on Montserrat.
Fundraising Coordinator Anne Thomas, announced the event at the Governor’s residence in Woodlands which ran from 6.00 to 9.00 p.m. under the theme: Past, Present and Future … 50 Years On – in commemoration of the organisation’s 50th anniversary which was reached in 2015.
The event entertained some 120 persons in attendance, to include members of the newspaper and members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as a visiting film crew from the United Kingdom.
In celebrating the Red Cross and its achievements organisers intended to cover three objectives. Capture volunteers residing overseas for partnership and donation; Raise funds for community outreach – household items for vulnerable residents; while allowing volunteers to share their volunteering experiences.
Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Richard Aspin long serving member in many capacities, moved the evening along smoothly during which after brief remarks by Patron, Her Excellency who had to limit her later participation suffering from the flu. Chairman Andre West brought greetings, immediately followed by the first rendition for the night by Ben Durand
Members recognized past officers and some of their eldest members who had well past their 
volunteer time of service.
These members were Mrs. Lystra Osborne, president; Nurse Mrs. Mary Cooper, present members Teacher Florence Malone, Mr. Yusuf Muhamed and Milykhia McKenzie, gave brief history and remarks relative to their service, along with newcomer Miss Berl Nurse who the chairman said had just signed up to become a volunteer.
Miss McKenzie spoke of her eleven years so far as a member of the Montserrat Red Cross, expressing her joy and amazement at what she learnt, being a member, having heard previously of the organization. “I was amazed at some of the things that people do so selflessly…they just give without rewards,” she said holding out kudos to Aunt Madge Donoghue was running the First Aid Section and she was “the person that guided us and helped us along the way and I saw myself becoming so much bolder so much confident…
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Others spoke of some of the programs put on by the Red Cross such as the Christmas Day lunch founded and operated by Aunt Madge. This prompted Miss McKenzie announced a token of appreciation sponsored by Forward Communications Inc.
“This evening we would like to give you a token of appreciation as being the founder of our Christmas Day lunch,” she was told, on receipt of a “gift certificate that you can use at BBC Radio & TV,” which was presented to Aunt Madge by Patron Governor Carriere.
On making the presentation, she lifted herself to say: “Just a couple of quick words. When you describe those precious gifts of comfort and generosity, we all should pause and think about just how much that means to the people who are receiving them and how meaningful and significant the efforts of people who are providing them are. We can’t thank you enough.”
She continued: “and the second thing I want to say is that I’m really impressed with this methodology of writing things on your hands and saying them, (noting one speaker checking notes written in her hand). I think I’m going to adopt that. Anyway thank you again Madge and congratulations,” adding her final words of thanks. “I would like to say thank you to the committee even though I might of omitted someone. Thank you.”
Aunt Madge with Mary Farrell, the Red Cross Health and Social Care Coordinator, gave the history of the lunch program, followed by the newly signed-up member stating that she signed up as a volunteer, “because of my desire is to serve people; and I had a chance to do that on Christmas Day when I volunteered with Red Cross to serve people.”
Executive Director Wendy Steed in brief remarks spoke to the theme for the evening’s event and giving a brief ‘report’ on a successful year of achievement of objectives.
The entertainment programme consisted of musical renditions by past and current winners of the Montserrat Idol. Montserrat Red Cross’ youth group put on a modelling show sponsored by Gesiere Smith with her Africana Fashions’ crew. Part of the modeling show showed off items of clothing available at unbelievably low prizes (items all donated) from the thrift shop which is located upstairs the Red Cross building in Brades.
Entertainment flowed and there was a cash, drink and eat bar available.
The affair had been hailed a great success, while not matching ‘any of the SuJue Davis’ sometimes gala event and her huge successes, the Red Cross branch raised a net figure of $4,060.00.
Intermingling with the modeling show, door prizes were donated by BBC Radio and TV. The main Raffle prizes donated by Jaxxonz, Cathron Products, Patsy Cake Baking and Decorating, Milykhia McKenzie and Kelvin ‘Tabu’ Duberry.
The report on the evening said that the event achieved its objectives as contact was made with two (2) persons living overseas giving their commitment in working with the Branch through donations in kind. Volunteers shared their experiences and three (3) persons signed up for volunteering. Another person was connected with Disabled Association from conversation expressing their need to volunteer in a particular area.
A vote of thanks by Mrs. Anne Thomas brought the curtain on the evening as she announced that the proceeds of the evening would go to purchase household supplies for the vulnerable.
