Barbara Ellington, Acting Lifestyle Editor
The thorn between two lovely roses, attorney Patrick Bailey with (from left) Janice Bent and Fay Hutchinson. The two ladies were organisers of the Kingwest Foundation 'An Evening To Remember' with dinner, cabaret and dancing, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
ORGANISERS OF the newly formed Kingwest Foundation must be enjoying a feeling of satisfaction following their first major fund-raiser last Thursday. It was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel under the theme 'An Evening To Remember.'
The week's severe weather may have prevented many rural guests from journeying into the capital for the event but from as early as last Tuesday, rumour was rife that all of the over 500 tickets were sold out.
And so guests, thankful for the respite after the wrath of Hurricane Wilma, donned their finery and poured into the black-and-gold-themed ballroom for a worthy cause. They represented all classes, and from what The Sunday Gleaner saw, a long list of corporate organisers had bought tables plus many seasoned Labourites were out in droves.
Party Leader Bruce Golding outlined the purpose of funds garnered, stressing that those who balked at the $6,000 price tag could rest assured their money was well spent. His special guests included PNP caretaker for Western Kingston, Bunny Witter, as well as two beneficiaries of past fund-raising events. But overall, the money is used for: sports and culture, the elderly in need, medical assistance, education at all levels and a breakfast programme.
PROCESS OF CHANGE
Mr. Golding said West Kingston was not only a JLP constituency and in spite of recent labels, it was undergoing a process of change. "The projects we undertake benefit the entire community; we have one of the lowest crime rates of any urban area in Jamaica. I am not saying we have no criminals or the potential for criminal activities but the potential for good is there and we are working to show a better way," Mr. Golding said.
Speeches aside, master of ceremonies, Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie, declared he was off duty for the night so towed cars could not be blamed on him. He had high praise for the musical mastery of Warm and Easy, led by Wayne Armond. Their selectors had guests rocking in their seats.
And Monsignor Richard Albert reminded the guests that having been there with him through his major challenges as a politician, he believed in Bruce Golding.
"When he agonised about the move to the NDM as well as his return to the JLP, I was with him in prayer, but he always put the nation before the party."
