The spirit of Christmas and the spirit of volunteerism merged for a fantastic evening courtesy of the Council of Voluntary Social Services; as the 79 -year old organisation celebrated several community heroes, at its Christmas at the NVC Fundraising Gala held at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Sunday December 15, 2019.
The venue was filled with excitement amplified by the main feature of the gala – a riveting performance of the play Behind the Pulpit. The event, which began with Mona Preparatory School’s Builders Club performing Fab 5’s Christmas classic, Welcome Home (For Christmas), was being held following on from Volunteer Week, observed during December 1-7.
L-R Shelly-Ann Lawson Francis Executive Director CVSS Sergeant Richard Morgan of Denham Town Police Station Prof Errol Morrison former CVSS Chairman and Rosalea Hamilton Lasco Foundation
However, the real stars of the evening were the volunteers and public servants who oftentimes go beyond the call of duty, and who were invited as special guests.
Officers from Denham Town, Vineyard Town and August Town Police stations got the chance to relax a little from their hectic schedules.
Constable Richard Morgan, who was recently lauded on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Facebook page for his “courage and dedication” to the profession, in spite of his numerous health challenges, including battling cancer and having been previously shot and injured. “I am very happy to have this opportunity, this was my first time watching a play, it was great,” he said.
Kareen Kidd surrounded by some of the volunteers who assisted her with finding her son.
The guests also included 30 volunteers from the August Town community, who were recognized and treated for their efforts to help Kareen Kidd find her 9-year-old son Kyle Richards, after he disappeared in flood waters during heavy rains in September. The group was provided free transportation to and from August Town courtesy of Nationwide Express Tours. Mr. Nigel Stewart, CEO said, “I followed the story and was more than happy to help.” Ms. Kidd, who attended the event, shared her delight. “All of us had a wonderful time. They kissed me and told me thanks. The community support meant a lot and they have been great. My co-workers, my supervisor, Mr. Alton Bailey gave me the time off from work to be here tonight. It all meant a lot,” she said.
A number of nurses from the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the Kingston Public Hospital and the University Hospital of the West Indies were also treated to a free evening out. Sister Sparklin Harris, a nurse at the University Hospital of the West Indies, said “I could not wait to tell everyone how fabulous it was, as a former employee of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, set up by CVSS, I was proud. Christmas at the NVC was wonderful. To the staff, the cast, continue to do the wonderful work.”
L-R: Professor Errol Morrison, former CVSS Chairman, Paul Sully, Country Director, Peace Corp Jamaica and Saffrey Brown, current CVSS Chairperson.
Professor Errol Morrison, a former Chair of CVSS, felt it was a wonderful opportunity to reminisce about an organisation which has been the heartbeat of the voluntary sector. He said, “I am elated to see the progress of CVSS, the air was filled with a wonderful energy of goal oriented people.”
Executive Director of CVSS, Ms. Shelly-Ann Lawson Francis, said “Christmas at the NVC is about highlighting the National Volunteer Centre, which is the hub of volunteerism in Jamaica. The event provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism during the season of giving. She added, “Tonight is about the wonderful volunteers, our over 100 non-profit members and signifies that nearly 80 years on, CVSS, the leader of the voluntary sector, continues to promote the important contribution that volunteerism makes to national development. We are delighted with the response from the sponsors and the public. We are indeed grateful that all had a wonderful evening.”
Staff members from CVSS member organisations were also in attendance, and the evening was not complete without the contributions of corporate donors including the Courteigh Auditorium, ticketing sponsor, CaribTix, as well as the NCB, Lasco and Grace Kennedy Foundations who respectively played hosts and provided refreshments.
There are no comments published yet.