Rollins hosts charity ball to assist children in Rose Hall tonight
Published:Saturday | December 3, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:Last year, philanthropist Michele Rollins and her Rose Hall Development team pumped the US$42,000 proceeds from the Rose Hall Ball into the SOS Children's Village.
Tonight, when Jamaicans converge on the Hilton Rose Hall Resort ballroom, Rollins hopes their hearts will open and top last year's success by at least US$8,000 because the focus has not changed.
Hilton Rose Hall Resort is one of the major sponsors of the event this year and is providing the venue, with the newest sponsor on-board being Digicel.
"The money from the ball will go towards the reading programme, homework assistance, chess, karate classes, and the psychologist brought in to help the children at the village," said Rollins in an interview from her home in the United States last weekend.
In fact, some 100 children are set to benefit from the event this year - 100 children who have witnessed the success of the SOS Village in transforming the lives of persons such as biochemist Dr Stevie Bohado-Singh, who is a member of Dr Henry Lowe's cancer research team.
Success stories
"Dr Singh and his siblings - Bobby, a draughtsman, and Michelle, who is in food and beverage at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall - all grew up at the SOS Children's Village, and they are among the successes that we speak about constantly," Rollins boasted.
The Singhs are among former orphans who have become independent and are excelling in the world.
"Markham Laird, whose story is another for the SOS, just graduated from SUNY Maritime College in New York with an engineering degree, and Shani Golding is in nursing school," said Rollins, as she rolled off the positive reports that has made this home extraordinary.
Since its inception in the 1970s, the village has offered orphaned and abandoned children - regardless of race, nationality, or creed - a permanent home and helped to prepare them for an independent life. SOS Children's Villages pursue these goals with fully qualified and highly motivated staff.
Gem Myers, known for her hit song One Man Woman, will headline the calendar event. Her lyrical and musical prowess will be backed by the band Profile.