Lady Darling’s US Family joins her for the 38th Annual Red Cross Ball. From left to right are: brother, Jonathan Smith, niece, Lorraine Waters, grand-daughters, Tylor and Laura, daughter-in-law, Tanya, son, Philip, Lady Darling, son, George, daughter-in-law Patricia, son Timothy, daughter-in-law, Charline, grandson, Timothy Jr and grand-daughter, Crystal Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Nassau, Bahamas - “I will always have the Red Cross at heart,” said Lady Darling at the 38^thth, 2010. Annual Red Cross Ball where she was honoured for her contributions to the Bahamas Red Cross Society on January 30

“When Lady Darling joined the Red Cross in her year as president,” explained Beverly Wallace-Whitfield, past president, “We had a $77,000 deficit and her goal was to make sure that it was behind us and with a strong team and good volunteers, she succeeded.”

Marina Glinton, retired director general who also worked with Lady Darling attributed the fact that “Lady Darling’s team consisted of people whom she could pull the best from.”

The Red Cross Ball was held at the Wyndham Nassau Beach Resort and Crystal Palace Casino amid an elegantly decorated ballroom where almost all of the tables were occupied and support for the Haiti Relief Initiative was paramount.   The entertainment was top notch and included the Lou Adams Band and Visage.    The internationally acclaimed Chi-Lites group was the highlight of the evening and lead vocalist Marshall Thompson announced that he was celebrating his 50^th year with the Group.   They sang their famous song, “Have you seen her,” to a joyous crowd and the audience participated on stage with a few numbers as well.

H.E. Lady Darling was the Honoree at the 38th Annual Red Cross Ball. She received her Lalique vase that is mounted on mahogany from Brendon Watson, president of The Bahamas Red Cross and at right is Lady Finlayson, Ball committee chair Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

During the evening, Lady Finlayson, chairperson of the Ball committee and Brendon Watson, president of the Bahamas Red Cross presented Lady Darling with a Lalique vase as a token of appreciation for her work with the Red Cross.

“You are a person who has done so much for the Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Ball.   The committee felt that you should be honoured for your work and we thank you for your humanitarian efforts and for giving so much to society,” said Lady Finlayson.

In response, H.E. Lady Darling thanked those who assisted her and they included, Dame Marguerite Pindling, past fundraising chairman, Lady Finlayson, deputy fair committee chairman, past presidents Rev. C.B. Moss, Pauline Allen-Dean and Beverly Wallace Whitfield as well as Marina Glinton, retired director general and Dorothy King, retired deputy director general.

H.E. Lady Darling with Dignitaries and Red Cross Officials. From left to right are: Brendon Watson, President Bahamas Red Cross, H.E. Nicole Avant, US Ambassador, H.E., A.D. Hanna, Lady Finlayson, Red Cross Ball committee chair, Caroline Turnqest, deputy director, Bahamas Red Cross Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Lady Darling’s highlight of the evening was having her immediate family who flew in from many parts of the United States celebrate with her. They included her 3 sons George, Philip and Timothy Collier their wives and children as well as her brother Jonathan Smith.   Her husband Sir Clifford was unable to attend however, members of his family were on hand to support Lady Darling.

The Bahamas Red Cross welcomes donations for Haiti.   They help prepare communities for emergencies and also assist those in need.

The Chi Lites Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, PR and Marketing Consultant and Lady Darling’s longtime friend who served on her board at the Red Cross and graphic designer of her cook book, Many Tastes of the Bahamas, interviews H.E. Lady Darling and H.E. Nicole Avant, US Ambassador. (Photo: Brendon Watson)

The Michigan-Bahamas connection: Dr Mark and Yvette Weech smile with Lady Darling. Lady Darling’s son, Dr Philip Collier, an anaesthesiologist and his wife Tanya and children are friends with Dr and Mrs Weech and their children who visits them in Michigan where Dr Collier practices Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

Sir Clifford Darling’s family joined Lady Darling. From left to right: Rochena Darling, Loren and Ebony Beneby, Edgar and Charlene Hanna, Lady Darling, Andrea Thompson, Erin Hanna, Sharanna Thompson and E.J. Hanna Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

H.E. Lady Darling with Dignitaries and Red Cross Officials. From left to right are: Brendon Watson, President Bahamas Red Cross, H.E. Nicole Avant, US Ambassador, H.E., A.D. Hanna, Lady Finlayson, Red Cross Ball committee chair, Caroline Turnqest, deputy director, Bahamas Red Cross Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

SLIDE SHOW photos by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry