A cabana too far?
This was what some of us were wondering when we saw the sparse turnout for the organization’s first sally into $100-per-plate fundraising. However, the event was saved by the enthusiasm of the hardy souls who did attend.
The event was intended to launch our delegations to plead Haiti’s cause with the policymakers, both executive and legislative. Volunteers came forward for these delegations. And Americans, who had not visited Haiti, became strongly interested in doing so. People came from Haiti for the event, from Miami, Orlando, Boston, even Oklahoma. Just a few more from suburban Maryland, and it would have been a total success!
As planned, Amb. Ernest H. Preeg, chairman of the board of our project, acted as master of ceremonies. Amb. Timothy M. Carney receved an award for his service in Haiti during 2005-2006. The award was presented by Dr. Cruff Renard, a physician who works with poor peasants in a remote corner of the Central Plateau.
Rev. Garry Theodate of Boston enthusiastically described the Haiti Democracy Project’s electoral observation of the February 7 and April 21 rounds. Francois Guillaume, Jr., of the Ligue des Jeunes Cadres Haitiens, analyzed the importance of the planned delegations.
Watch this space for an on-line application.
The mood brighted further when the management of the Cocoa Cabana generously extended the open bar through the entire gathering! As tghe event ended, many of those presented transferred effortlessly to the discoteque in the next hall, where the bamboche continued long into the night.