Providenciales, TCI, January 16, 2017 – The TCAAF is a non-profit organization founded in December of 2003 by a group of individuals who lost friends and/or family members to AIDS. The TCAAF is funded entirely through donations and the mission of the organization is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS. The year 2016 has had a positive impact on the Turks & Caicos AIDSs Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) and with the changing world, we will continue to expand our works in the field of promoting awareness on HIV/AIDS and “Getting to Zero”.
Looking back at 2016, the Directors of TCAAF are proud of the achievements and evolution of the Foundation. The Foundation is supported by many fundraising events, which includes the Jadot Cup Golf tournament and the final event of the year, the Surf & Turf event. This event was hosted at Opus on December 2, 2016, and organized and sponsored by PwC. Guests in attendance enjoyed an exquisite family style dinner, complimentary wine and had a chance to make money by betting on pre-taped horse races that were announced live by Mr. Larry Collmus, voice of the Triple Crown and new voice of New York Racing Association.
The evening culminated with the “Turks & Caicos Derby”, sponsored by PwC, which also featured a Calcutta style auction of horses, where winning bidders name their horses. 50% of the auction pool was committed as a donation to the TCAAF, with the balance forming the payout for Win, Place and Show. The highlight of an entertaining auction process was an arduous battle between Stephen Wilson (on behalf of Graham Thompson Attorneys), Stewart Howard (on behalf of British Caribbean Bank) and Ken Patterson (of Seven Stars Resort), which ended when the three agreed to buy the horse between them for a massive $10,000. They were rewarded for their efforts when their horse, “Shrimpy”, reached the post first to beat out “Tony’s having a baby” owned by Terry Drummey and “Bulla” owned by Althea Williams. All three winners donated their winnings, making the TCAAF the biggest winner of all.
Nick Haywood, of PwC, was in the process of expressing his appreciation to the crowd for their support in raising an incredible total of around $45,000, when he was interrupted by Stephen Wilson and Galmo Williams, who took over the microphone and announced they would be donating the extra amount to round the total donation up to $50,000!
TCAAF’s Patron, Mr Galmo Williams expressed heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the PwC family, Opus restaurant, sponsors, volunteers and the guests of this event. It was a fantastic charity event thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. All proceeds from “Surf & Turf” will go to fund the TCAAF and also assists with funds towards its flagship project – the Edward Gartland Youth Centre in Downtown, Providenciales. The Youth Centre lets us reach a key demographic to increase awareness and education – not only about HIV/AIDS but about all kinds of life skills while also providing them with a safe, fun environment to meet friends, receive counseling and develop new skills.
#MagneticNewsMedia #TCAAF
