FUNDRAISER #3
Christmas Concert & Toy Drive
Tuesday, November 30^th  -  2004
Casa de Cultura – Jávea

Karla Darocas - Director
Report on Fundraiser
Double click on Photos Below to Enlarge

The November night was a bit nippy, but with so much excitement in the air, no one felt the chill. 

The event opened on time to a full house. Over a hundred people made their way to the Casa de Cultura bearing toys for our first Christmas Concert and Toy Drive. Eleven huge boxes were filled to the top with a wide variety of toys for girls and boys. These generous donations will make a difference in mood of Christmas and Three Kings Day over at the Shelter. Isn't it amazing what a little gifting can do?

As the auditorium was filling up, I made a few announcement pertaining to our challenge to help women and children of domestic violence and how we are so few against so much. 

Mary Lucus, our forever daunting treasurer was welcomed on stage to make a financial donation on behalf of the WIBC. Two thousand Euros (2,000.00 E) was presented to Anna Vasbinder, our liaison with the Javea Town Council and Social Services. Mary made a compelling thank you speech to everyone - from club members to the public - who made our donation of the money possible. Anna thanked us all on behalf of Javea and the Shelter and expressed her continued support of our activities. 

John Anthony, a guitar legend in the Javea / Jalon area and abroad opened the night with a half hour selection of classical, flamenco and jazzy guitar numbers. The crowd responded with huge rounds of applause, of which John announced his appreciation.

Next, we were entertained by a spectacular show-stopping, heart-pumping dance performance by one of our favourite members, Suzanna Mace. She really had the audience in the palm of her hand as she stomped her way into the hearts of everyone with a mixed variety of flamenco dance numbers, each accompanied by a costume change. Whirling and twirling to the hot Latin music performed by husband John on guitar, Suz made her way around the stage and down into the crowd, giving her little gift of affection to a couple of innocent spectators. The crowd was wild for her, and we were proud of her. 

Ever so thankful to John and Suz for their hard work and talents, Jenny Flew, a professional chef and member of our club, donated her time and talents to come and cook for the couple. Everyone was so impressed with the wonderful gift and kindness of the gesture, it was applauded by the entire room of people.

Elaine Barclay was next on stage to present our door prize from the Marriott Hotel, a dinner for two. She then was aided by other members to conduct our ritual raffle draw, of which sported a host of wonderful gifts from regional business supporters. 

The Bake Sale Team of Christina Miller, Anne Marigold and Kathleen Mission went all out this event and baked their fingers to the bones to offer our guests an amazing selection of goodies and treats.

Lesley Ellis has really fit into her role as our Administrator, keeping us organized both at meetings and at the events. Right down to the final point of taping up the boxes full of toys, Lesley gave a polished performance. Thank you for being so detailed!

All in All - fun and fundraising went hand in hand. The women who came out to volunteer their services on the door, taking tickets, arranged the raffle prizes and so forth - all are very important ladies. They have proven that by giving openly and freely, the rewards are great. 

It is true that the challenge we face is so much bigger than us, but together, we can make a difference. We give and we receive. We put in, what we take away. We help ourselves by helping others.  We network, we barter, we make friends, we do business and we MEAN BUSINESS!

This Fundraiser #3 - generated 1,650 Euros.

Well Done Ladies... five gold stars to those who participated!!!

Karla Darocas
WIBC Network Director