Partying for a good cause

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

And so, while some are busy questioning what they have dubbed the prime minister's 'frequent flyer status', there can be no denying the fact that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is one of the country's best assets in the international arena. This fact is not lost on many as she goes about her way, trying to make a difference, impacting the lives of many who would otherwise fall through the cracks, if it were not for social intervention!

And so, when it comes to social intervention, were it not for the initiative and kindness of strangers, many more of our people would be in far worse social conditions than what currently prevails.

One such organisation is the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation - a non-profit organisation, supported by volunteers, who give of their time and resources to harness the goodwill and charity of others, and then channel it to the truly needy, in a non-partisan way.

As the organisation's patron, she is like a beacon of hope to the needy and a magnet for many would-be donors, desirous of making a difference in the lives of many, oftentimes doing so without the fanfare or publicity that some donors crave. It is against this background that each year, the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation hosts its signature gala event to raise funds in support of the very many individuals and charities that subscribe to it for funding.

Well, on Thursday, December 19, with the spirit of Christmas in the air, the Portia Simpson Miller Foundation hosted a charming little reception at Vale Royal, the official home of its patron, to say thanks to donors, supporters and volunteers, as well as disperse funds to a number of beneficiaries.

Well, my dears, with the prime minister looking as regal as ever, and doing what she does best - turning up the charm as she welcomed and embraced guests - the historic Vale Royal was truly buzzing with the spirit of goodwill.

Dears, no politics here, it was not that kind of an evening or night! This was a night akin to the spirit of generosity and goodwill. Possibly on the Tessanne Chin scale, as those out were all about giving back to fellow Jamaicans, and that they did. But nobody could or did top the night, as celebrated businessman, the founding chairman of the Lasco Group of Companies, Lascelles Chin, surprised all by personally donating $2,000,000 to the foundation, in the spirit of Christmas. And dears, it made for a really invigorating donation, as not only did it energise those present, but it was a personal endorsement of the work of the foundation, and this made for a fabulous toast!

Dears, it was that kind of evening - goodwill everywhere, and then some. Among those out were a number of beneficiaries, who were venturing for the first time out of their world, and were sharing cocktails with some of the nation's leading personalities.

No drama
here or long-winded toasts, just a simple ceremony that acknowledged the
work and charity of donors and volunteers. And with cocktails flowing
and some fabulous finger foods on hand, y'all know we are talking fab
like that, and nothing but!

It was indeed a fab way to
usher in the Yuletide season. Among those sharing in the occasion were:
Information Minister Senator Sandrea Falconer; Junior Minister Richard
Azan; André Hylton; Senator Lambert Brown; hotelier and businessman
Chris Issa; businessman and founding chairman of the foundation, Steve
Ashley; succeeding chair of the foundation, Zein Issa-Nakash, and her
husband, businessman Christopher Nakash. Also out were: attorney and
entrepreneur Junior Dabdoub; Jennifer Edwards, Yvonne Aris; the esteemed
Elon Beckford; Lorraine Fung; Grub Cooper and his wife Pamela Redwood;
and Maj Edwards.

The cameras couldn't miss Anthony
Wood of the Bustamante Hospital for Children; Fabian Graham of Betco;
the lovely Rosa Josephs; Gary Peart and his lovely wife, Cheryl; the
lovely Tanya Christie; the dashing pilot, O'neil Johnson; Dollis
Campbell, Shaun Baugh and his wife, Makeda Ramgeet-Baugh, looking as
fabulous as ever; the charmingly fab Marie Holland; plus several scores
others.

But what a charmer of a night, as many now are
looking forward to a happy New Year, thanks to the Portia Simpson
Miller Foundation, and its many volunteers, donors, and
supporters.

Contributed photos