Tortola; Monday 12th December 2022; The Rotary Club of Tortola is pleased to announce that our signature fundraising event, The Grand Affair is returning for the first time since 2016. "We are thrilled to once again be hosting this event in keeping with Rotary's objective of helping humanity and making an impact on the BVI community especially after the challenges we have faced locally and globally, over the last few years” said President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Mrs. Valerie Georges-Thomas.
The glamorous dinner and auction will be held on March 25th, 2023 at Government House under the distinguished Patronage of His Excellency the Governor, Mr John Rankin, CMG. "We thank His Excellency for opening Government House to us, thereby upholding the tradition of previous Governors" she continued.
This year's causes are geared towards improving access to cancer prevention and treatment measures as well as focusing on youth - specifically raising funds to expand the Youth Empowerment Programme into another area of the Territory.
The Grand Affair has been the signature annual fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Tortola for many years and includes a resplendent dinner, a silent auction of incredible items and a live auction of items commonly labeled as 'wow' and 'superwow' . Included in the live auction are international travel, luxurious accommodations on land and sea as well as original pieces of art.
The key to the success of the Grand Affair is the partnership between Rotary and the BVI community on whom the Club relies for support. Proceeds from past Grand Affair events have supported many of the Territory’s organizations and institutions such as VISAR (purchase of a boat engine), the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (purchasing of a canine for the corps), t he Autism Centre including teacher training, equipment and furnishings at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic (VG), the Youth Empowerment Programme’s summer programmes, the “Baby Think it Over” project (conducted at many schools) to prevent teenage pregnancies and so much more.
This year, the Club's goal is to raise seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000). Every dollar raised will go towards the causes identified. Much more information on the Grand Affair including how to become involved or buying tickets will be forthcoming in the new year.