Sugar Cane Carnival seeks profitable harvest

Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

HANOVER CHARITIES (HC), organisers of the annual Sugar Cane Carnival, is aiming to top the record-breaking US$150,000 (J$9.3 million) it copped at last year's mega one-night affair.

Scheduled to be held at the elegant Round Hill Hotel on Saturday, February 19 this carnival has earned the reputation as being the single largest one-night fund-raising event in western Jamaica. Since its inception in the late 1950s, HC has implemented creative ways to help the less fortunate in the parish dubbed 'Cinderella'.

Education, health and community development top the list of objectives for Hanover Charities annually, as it contributes to some 60 charities in the parish. As a non-profit, exclusively charitable organisation, the group relies on donations from past and potential visitors to Jamaica and the local business community.

FUNDING REQUESTS SCREENED

Requests for funding of specific projects are carefully investigated and screened by the HC board, headed by chairperson, Paula Watkins, a home owner of the Tryall Club. Great emphasis
is placed on credibility, feasibility, and project
justification and thereafter on full accountability of allocated funds.

Some of the most fantastic prizes are up for grabs again this year, including the coveted US$5,000 (J$310,000) Ralph Lauren gift certificate, three nights and four days accommodation at James Bond's 'birthplace', Goldeneye, Oracabessa, David Yurman jewellery, Lladro porcelain figurine and a Jonathan Routh painting. Hanover Charities is responsible for the critical early teaching of 1,500 students from the Hopewell region, as well as the Hanover Early Childhood Board, West Haven Children's Home, SDA Feeding Programme, the ministers' fraternal soup kitchen, Bethel Primary and Junior High and the Hopewell Jaycees.

In 2001, the HC established the Sandy Morris Memorial Scholarship, in recognition of late Chairman Sandy Morris, who served the organisation illustriously for several years.

The first student to receive the three-year scholarship valued at $265,000 was Benjamin Streete of the Herbert Morrison Technical High School. Theresa Bowen, Patricia Ottey and Tia Patricia Glenn have since been the recipients and this year five students will receive bursaries.