Black tie event to help children in need

(CNS): Two ladies planning to attend the Hedge Fund Care Cayman event this weekend, which is a black tie affair that will raise funds for abused children in the Cayman Islands, have another opportunity to help those in need and look great in the process by purchasing dresses in line with the event’s Cuban theme from Silhouette Ladies Fashion & Accessories. Owner Javana Phillips-Broad (left) says 100% of all funds raised from the sale of the dresses, which were hand made in Seville, Spain, will be sent to Facing Africa, a charity that helps children suffering from the debilitating disease known as NOMA.

The 5th Annual Cayman Islands Open Your Heart to the Children Benefit takes place on Saturday, 14 November, at Grand Old House. This year it will be presented with the flair and romance of our neighbours to the north and has been dubbed “Havana Nights”. Denise Gower, a member of the Board of Directors for Hedge Fund Care Cayman, said that over the past four years this event has raised over US$950,000, all of which was distributed to agencies in the Cayman Islands to help prevent and treat child abuse and neglect in the Cayman Islands.

All 300 tickets for the evening of dinner and entertainment , which went for US$1,000 per person or US$10,000 per table, and have sold out, Gowen said, mostly to professionals from the hedge fund industry. Entertainment will include Cuban music and dance, before, during and after the meal, with entertainers including local musician Gary Ebanks, and the Lions Club has done a fantastic job with the decorations, Gower said.

“The support has been incredible. When we started planning at the beginning of the year we thought it was going to be really challenging to get support but people have been overwhelminglygenerous,” she said, noting in particular Arch Automotive, which has given two cars at cost price, and Kirk Freeport, which has donated many items for the silent auction.

Taking the opportunity to assist in another good cause Phillips-Broad is selling the two dresses (seen left and above) through Silhouettes to raise funds for Facing Africa, a UK registered charity that helps the victims of NOMA, a disease which, if left untreated, devours the entire face and the child remains an outcast within its own family and family tribe.

She says “Silhouette is so pleased to be able to help such a great cause as there can be no better reason to raise monies than for the assistance of the sick and poverty stricken, particularly when those affected are children, the most vulnerable amongst us that require the highest levels of care and protection. As corporate Cayman becomes more aware of its social responsibility, both locally and on an international platform, it is good to be a part of the movement.”

Anyone interested in purchasing one of these unique dress designs should contact Javana at 943 2746 or visit the store at Treasure Island Resort that is open daily.

Facing Africa is actively supported in the Cayman Islands by Stuarts Attorneys, Krys & Associates, dms Management ltd., RBC Wealth Management and Tower Marketing. A marathon will be held on 21 February 2010 in aid of the charity. Corporate groups of five runners, each covering 6 miles are encouraged. Look out for further information in the press as to how to register for this exciting event.