Sunday, March 28, 2010

Having fun while being charitable

Having fun while doing good, that is something we always did back in Curaçao. From the American Women's Club fundraisers, which were famous and well attended. We used to have theme parties (Hooray for Hollywood, Back to the 50s, Mexican Night...) and danced until the wee hours. There were theater presentations and Wine and Cheese Parties. The Lions Carnival party signaled the arrival of the Carnival weekend and still goes on every year. The Rotary Club had dances and International Food Fairs. Of courses, there were dinners, trivia nights or beach parties organized by other service clubs. The whole island did some good while enjoying itself....and still does!

I remember looking forward to all those parties, enjoying every minute of them and knowing that while we dance the night away, dine in style under the stars or answer all those trivia questions, we were helping make our island home a better place. It was a great feeling!...and I have missed that.

Here in Miami, our contributions to charity have been in the way of sending checks to different institutions. Once in a while, we would participate in a walk or something along those lines, nothing much fun, really. Until last night........

We attended a Bollywood Nights event at some one's beautiful home in Coral Gables. The place was done with rugs, flowers, carved screens, tents and a stage floating in the swimming pool. People came in their finest, with Indian saris, glass bangles, embroidered slippers. There were henna artists working their magic on everyone's hands. There was a silent auction and a show that included a girl dubbed: Fire Vixen. There was a female Bengal Tiger called Umba and even two camels!

The food was excellent and there was an open bar. Well, that is what I call a real charity event. Everyone gets to have fun while helping. In this case, all proceeds went to Sunil's Home, an orphanage in India...hence the theme of the party. Finally.....We had such fun, maybe because we did some good while remembering old times. May this be a new beginning!!!!

2 comments:

Pratishtha Durga said...

Oh Merc... that sounds so good! themed parties for charity. Wow! I should consider organizing one :)

Mercedes de Marchena said...

You should!!! Pick a theme, work out the details and go for it. Your friends will have fun and help others while at it....