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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Attending a fund raiser in Nassau recently I had no idea that my attendance there would have such an effect on the monies raised that night toward the medical expenses of 23 year old Gavin Skolnick. Gavin, born to parents Harvey and Dianne (from Nassau) and who attended St. Andrews School and then transferred to St. Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario in grade 10. He later graduated and was accepted at the University of Kent to study law. Gavin graduated with an LLB in 2005. Taking a sabbatical while he decided where to pursue his Masters, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in March of this year. He is now in his fourth and final round of chemotherapy in the Cleveland Clinic in Fort Lauderdale.
Arriving at Luciano’s of Chicago, a restaurant which is situated on the Nassau harbour with my friend that had invited me and who was also on the team of persons organizing the event, I decided that since I knew no one I would help work the door collecting tickets and marking off names. Tickets for the event had sold out within ten days upon printing and approximately 250 persons were to attend. The fund raiser had all the typical ingredients: a raffle, door prizes, a silent auction, a great band, and loads of good food and drink. The venue was incredible, set outdoors on the large patio in front of the restaurant with a view of Paradise Island and Atlantis directly across.
My host was the always busy master of ceremony for the evening and so when we had finished at the front door, I filled a plate from the buffet and introduced myself at a table and joined in with the dining and conversation. Gavin was not able to attend, but a wonderful message in his own words was written and read to the audience. After that the festivities resumed and the band got underway. Within an hour the dance floor was active. I mingled around as best I could, and would chat with my host when he was not on the mic.
It was then that I noticed a man at the party walking around without a shirt on, nor shoes or socks, but only in his pants! This man was Robin Brownrigg. I had kept hearing his name, “Robin” throughout the evening. I asked my friend what he was doing like that and I was told that he had told people that he would take his clothes off and jump into the harbour if persons would donate money to the cause. I kept hearing, “Oh Robin, just jump” and it was a bit unnerving as my name is “Robin” also so I always thought people were talking to me. Within an hour the total Mr. Brownrigg raised for “the jump” was a remarkable $30,000.
All of a sudden an idea sprang up in me. What if I was to jump also? The silly connection that my name was also “Robin” seemed like reason enough, and the thought of raising money when I had come as a guest and knew I could not offer monetarily as others may have was good enough for me. I mentioned it to my friend saying, “Do you think it could help if I also jumped?” He loved the idea and was soon on the mic letting everyone know that there was now a new “Robin” from Freeport who would jump. I was helped up onto the ledge to the surprise and delight of Robin Brownrigg, who now had a partner in “charity”. We waited patiently in hope to raise the offerings.
Within about twenty minutes we were told the figure was now at $60,000! Feeling pretty proud of ourselves, and with everyone looking on we turned to look at the water below into which we would jump. It only looked about two feet deep which was a huge concern. I was pretty pumped on adrenaline for what I was about to do, but my fear set in instantly. We were reassured that the water level had to be at least six feet deep and were told not to do any diving in head first, but to just cannonball.
With much encouragement and cheering we were getting our courage up to take the leap, when out of the blue another Robin appeared! I was told it was Robin Symonette, and so up she came and the three of us held hands and faced the water below against the night sky and the cheering crowd behind us. Everyone did a final countdown and with the fear running through me right up until that time of pushing my body forward, we took the plunge. Whew, the water was deep enough! With cameras popping and the crowd going crazy we swam about ten yards to the dock and climbed ourselves up.
Dripping wet we returned to the dance floor where we were applauded and greeted with hugs and pats. We were told the final count was $80,000! We danced our feet off after that. The evening was brilliant and it highlighted two things: the generosity of spirit from community, and how much the Skolnicks are loved.
The (now) famous Triple Rob(b)in Jump will not be forgotten and I was glad to be a part of it! With the same words that we had stamped on our hands to enter the event I end this in saying, Go Gavin!
© Copyright 2006 by thebahamasweekly.com
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