Old Harbour SDA launches fundraiser to acquire land next door

Guests will enjoy live music from the RSI Steel Band, a talented saxophonist, and dynamic vocal performances from local artists. Emcee Markland Edwards will direct proceedings.

This fundraiser seeks to raise funds for the church’s community initiatives, including acquiring adjoining land to expand the Old Harbour Seventh-Day Adventist Basic School, which has served the community since 1975. The expansion will allow the school to meet the needs of its growing student population.

Banquet coordinator Treacha Reid and organizer Georgette Harrisingh emphasize the dual purpose of the evening: to enjoy fellowship and elegance while contributing to life-changing community initiatives.

Reid is excited about the church’s major fundraising project as, in her view, it gives people the opportunity to come out and enjoy themselves while knowing that they are contributing to something that is worthwhile.

She tells Old Harbour News: “We are actually seeking to acquire the piece of land that is beside the church so this banquet is an ideal time to raise funds while getting dressed up and looking nice. One of the highlights is the inclusion of our guest speaker Elder Tyrone Gregory who I chose because he delivered a message for us some time ago and I cried the whole time. He is an amputee who is such an inspiration because he connects with people on a deep, spiritual level because he is so genuine which is why people will relate to him and his story.”

According to Harrisingh, who has been instrumental in putting all the necessary puzzle pieces together seamlessly, the fundraising banquet will benefit many in several spheres.

“We have a school at the back of the church from 1975, the Old Harbour Seventh Day Adventist Basic School. Over the years, we have wanted to improve it because the school population grew but we don’t have the space to transform it into what we need it to be in order to provide for the needs for our current students. We therefore need to acquire the adjoining land and are currently in the process of doing so, which is why this fundraiser is so important,” said Harrisingh.

“We started fundraising in July and have been steadily building since then. We are so pleased that everyone is onboard, from our young people to the local business owners who have essentially become our partners and are always willing to contribute and bring some relief, big and small, to those in need. We need more people to bring a smile to the faces of people who often do not think they have any good reason to smile.”

The Church also has other initiatives that need funding, including one of their main projects called ‘Power of a Dream’.
“With this charity, we engaged students from the church and they get to invite one friend from the community who is not a Seventh Day Adventist and we pay them for every subject that they successfully sit and pass.”

Harrisingh further explained that students at the PEP level are paid for their proficiency; at the secondary level, those in first to fourth forms are rewarded with cash or a trophy if they maintain an 85% minimum average, while at the CXC level those who successfully score Grades 1 and 2 are compensated. CAPE entrants also get paid for every grade one, two and three that they successfully pass and University students are incentivized with lump sums that can top $50,000 or more. Over the past five years, the programme has steadily grown and is now very competitive with the top achievers being celebrated at a special function held in their honour. 

“This is also a great morale boost for the community,” Harrisngh said. “Out of this programme we have raised several young professionals including a doctor. Many of them are now able to give back and pay it forward.”

Community outreach is also big on their agenda with programmes that resonate with members such as Youth Day, wherein young people go out into the community to assist at either a children’s home or a care facility for senior citizen.

“We ultimately want to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence’ which would be a dedicated multi-purpose space including a drop-off and pick-up place for goods and packages. We know it’s a lot of work that will be involved, but our leaders are visionaries who know what is required to move plans off the page or blue print and bring them to fruition. This banquet will be a great way for people to come out, meet and bond over shared backgrounds and common goals. Those in the diaspora, who come home for the holidays, will enjoy being a part of an initiative that the people of Old Harbour will truly appreciate,” Harrisingh shared.

Ticket prices are $7,000 (adults) and $3500 (children) an can be purchased at Shades of Elagance Salon and Spa (876 430 2977). 

The Old Harbour Seventh Day Adventist Evening of Elegance and Excellence is sponsored by NCU FM, Stone’s Pharmacy, Old Harbour Optical, Shades of Elegance Limited, Scott’s Stockpile Construction, DA Traders/Dennis Hardware, Hebab Essentials, Festfil.