HEART BALL IS COMING UP: “Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of a Vision…Championing the Cause of Children!"

The stories of successful pediatric heart surgeries and survival because of the generosity The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation are many. In fact, to date the Heart Foundation has helped over 4,000 adults and children. This Foundation hopes to help many more. For fifty years, The Annual Heart Ball has served as the major fund raiser to aid the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. On Saturday, February 15, 2014, The Heart Ball Committee will host the 50th Annual Heart Ball at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, formerly the Sheraton Nassau. The Heart Ball Committee is very excited about this achievement and invites Corporate Bahamas and the public to come and share this historical moment with them.

 Annual Heart Ball at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, formerly the Sheraton Nassau Under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General and Lady Foulkes and The Right Honourable Perry G. Christie , M.P., Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Mrs. Christie, the Heart Ball Committee will host the 50ththeme for the event is, “Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of a Vision…Championing the Cause of Children!”.

The Annual Heart Ball affords attendees an evening filled with glitz, glamour and fun. It’s an opportunity to get dressed-up, look your best and know that your money is well spent. The red carpet will be rolled out welcoming guest to an evening of elegance and grandeur. Floral arrangement provided by Florals Arts will set the tone and atmosphere, shaping the landscape to celebrate life, love and laughter. A five course meal will be served. There will also be live, toe-tapping, body rocking performances by The S-G Band (Soulful Groovers), The Royal Bahamas Police Force Dinner Band and The Royal Bahamas Defense Force Dance Band. Additionally, Gary “Super” Johnson will provide music to dance the night away.

If that’s not enough, one of the highlights of The Ball is the naming of The Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Awardee. This person would have been selected from of pool of worthy candidates nominated for their humanitarian and heart touching acts, to improve the lives of others. Deadline for nominations is January 17, 2014.

Guests can win fabulous prizes and surprises as table prizes, raffle prizes or auction items. Up for grabs are: a roundtrip ticket for two to London on Virgin Atlantic, travel for two to the Cayman Island on British Airways, travel for two to Florida on Bahamasair, and hotel stays at British Colonial Hilton and Sandals Emerald Bay. Additionally, there will be fine jewelry provided by local and international designers, excursions with Sea Horse Sailing and Stuart’s Cove, pampering by places such as Lyford Cay Spa, Hollis Cosmetics, Clippendale’s and many more. There will also be dinners to places like Aqua at Melia, Athena’s Café, Van Brugels and much more. There are also gift certificates from places like Logos Bookstore, Fini and many more fine businesses in The Bahamas. There will be Artwork by the late Chan Pratt, Clifford Fernander, Nettica Symonette, and many more artists.

In the midst of all the glitz, glamour and fun, we must remember and recognize the cause for The Annual Heart Ball. The Annual Heart Ball is the major fund raiser hosted by The Heart Ball Committee that aids The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit organization, established by Evelyn Lady Sassoon in 1961. In 1963 it was evident that such a charity was needed, as there were many persons in need of heart care, but could not afford it. Additionally, there was a need to raise funds to continue to carry out the mission of The Foundation. As such, in 1965, the first Heart Ball was held to raise fund to repair the hearts of persons in The Bahamas. To date, Annual Heart Ball remains the major fund-raiser for the Heart Foundation to help persons, primarily children, in need of heart care. It is held annually on the Saturday closest to Valentine’s, welcoming family, friends and colleagues to share the moment for a worthy cause.

In the word of the Heart Ball Committee’s Public Relation’s Officer,Ms. Ingrid Sears, “ The Heart Ball Committee is excited as we prepare for the 50thcan carry on the vision of helping to repair the hearts of others. Despite economic and other challenges, The Heart Ball has stood the test of time and proves to be the best Ball in town. For this The Heart Ball is very thankful to our faithful patrons and sponsors and look forward to many more Heart Balls. We are very hopeful that others will join us as we seek to raise funds to save our future, our children”.

In the words of Ms. Nancye Miller, commonly known as Mother Nancye Miller, whose daughter died of an unexpected heart attack, lost her grandson Dale Marche to heart disease, but was fortunate to save another grandson – Deshauun Marche:

“I would tell anyone, The Heart Foundation is life. If others did not support the Heart Foundation, Deshaunn would not have had his surgery. They gave him a chance at life. They gave him life. If Dale’s heart was not deteriorated, there would be two lives saved. I sat home hearing people talking about The Heart Foundation and The Heart Ball. I now see the importance of it and supporting it. I encourage others to support the Heart Foundation”.

The 50th Annual Heart Ball is currently sponsored in part by: Cable Bahamas, Virgin Atlantic, Bahamasair, BTC, John Bull, G & M Appliances, Floral Arts, ZNS, The Salus Project, Pictet Bank, Scotiabank, The BahamasWeekly.com, Bahamaislandsinfo.com, Barefoot Marketing, More 94 FM, Love 97, Island FM, and JCN.

To purchase tickets, place an ad or donate, please call The Heart Foundation today at 327-0806.

Photos by: J & J Photography