BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, 12 November, 2021 -- Virtual events have become the next best option since the covid pandemic has held the world hostage for nearly two years. Any and every kind of event has turned to virtual reality and as recently as November 6, the 20-year-old New York-based non-profit, known formally as the Sandy Point Benevolent Society, jumped on the virtual bandwagon to share its successes and solicit public support. In a production that received rave reviews, the SPBS (as the organization is called for short), turned to the virtual world to raise funds to support its ongoing work in St. Kitts & Nevis.
Promoted under the theme a November to Remember, the evening was an impressive mix of presentations from the founding members, testimonials from past and present scholarship winners and a fusion of homegrown and New York-based entertainment. Setting the tone for the event, Chair Trevor Duggins appealed to viewers to give generously to the Society as the pandemic had disrupted its main fundraising events over the last several months. His appeal was strongly supported by VP Mervyn Richardson’s synopsis of the contributions the Society makes to the Charles E Mills Secondary school in particular and the Sandy Point Community in general. From its initial stipend to a single Sandy Point Primary student entering the Charles E Mills Secondary School to a hot water bath for the science department to an intercom system and a 26 piece steelpan orchestra, his presentation personified the organization’s motto – “we give back so others can move forward.”
The proceedings were stitched together by popular Radio Host in New York Avril Francis and Laverne Caines – a television host on St. Kitts. The near 5-hour production provided a glimpse into some of the impressive work undertaken by SPBS over the last calendar year. The event which was streamed on social media platforms as well as Cable TV Channel 95 in St. Kitts, heard riveting testimonies from past and present scholarship holders all of whom zeroed in on the welcome relief that the scholarships provide. All of the testimonials had a common theme of gratefulness balanced with the ongoing efforts to pay it forward through their mentorship work.
As the evening went on and the donations poured in, a number of new scholarship opportunities were announced. One such was an annual scholarship in the amount of US$1,000 to be named the Elsa and Stephen Revan aka ‘Jimmels’ Scholarship. Another US$500 donation to be disbursed in EC$100 amounts annually, was pledged to a child in the Cleverly Hill area who excels academically and will be named in honor of the memory of Mildred “Milly” Brookes. Donors also gave specifically to the Belle Tete Project and to the acquisition of internet access points for the Charles E Mills Secondary School. The latter donations were in response to the Principal’s passionate presentation about the ongoing internet challenges being experienced at the school as the institution endeavours to provide virtual classes to facilitate student learning in the ongoing pandemic.
From the onset, viewers were given an opportunity to donate to any of the four (4) areas that underpin the work of the SPBS – Principal’s Awards, Scholarships, Enhanced Learning and Diaspora Support. Not limiting contributions to these four pillars, donors were also encouraged to introduce new scholarship opportunities as they saw fit. Earlier in the programme member of the local Chapter – Elsa Revan shared the workings of the Principal’s awards and announced the 3 most recent winners in that category. The 2021 College Scholarship winners were also introduced to the viewers together with their area of study.
Switching between New York and St. Kitts or providing a split screen of presenters in both locations, the event was professionally produced under the astute leadership of Stachio Williams and his team at Open Interactive. While local entertainer Dejour belted out some of his popular hits live in the studio in St. Kitts, Abena and the Island Band in New York did justice to a diverse mix of oldies and contemporary pieces. This musical set was matched by the masterful mixing skills of well-known DJ - EK Flanders who added his usual flair to the night’s entertainment.
When the evening wound down, winners of the fund-raising raffle were announced and the closing protocols were done by Founder and President of SPBS Dr Stewart Williams. He heaped high praises on everyone who had an input in the final outcome of the production, including members of the local chapter led by President Shermin Stevens and thanked all who donated to the cause.
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