Hundreds of people gathered together to raise funds to repair children's hearts, while celebrating at the 48th Annual Heart Ball on Saturday night at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The event was organized by the Heart Ball Committee.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has given selflessly to improve the lives of others. This year's awardee was Marjorie Davis. She was recognized for her work as an educator, a Girl Guides leader, a Zonta Club member and a model citizen. Davis has also been an active member of St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral and a long time member of the Legion of Mary, a group which visits the sick and shut-ins regularly.
"This year's Golden Heart Award winner is someone very special, who stood out among the excellent nominees for this year's award. As we applaud this our forty-sixth Golden Heart Award winner, we continue to give recognition to those around us who give of themselves to help people without ever looking for personal reward. These are truly people with a golden heart," said R. E. Barnes, chairman of the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation.
In accepting the award, Davis thanked those who supported her from the Zonta Club, Girl Guides and the education field.
"I hope to do all I can, for as many as I can, for as long as I can," she said.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Heart Ball Committee's volunteer of the year award, which was presented to Portia Nottage for over 18 years of service. The award was presented by Maria Symonette, Heart Ball Committee member.
Music was provided by the Ed Brice Orchestra, the SG Band, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Dinner Band and Gary "Super" Johnson.
There were also lots of prizes and surprises throughout the evening. All patrons of the ball left with a gift, compliments of the Heart Foundation. Additionally, platinum sponsors left with pashminas and bottle stoppers.
The winner of the first prize in the raffle was Gerard Sawyer. He won two world traveler tickets to London donated by British Airways, a Men's Tissot Watch, a ladies double heart diamond pendant donated by Columbian Emeralds, a John Bull gift basket and "Berry Island", a water painting by Nick Maillis.
The second place raffle prize winner, Barbara Hepburn, won two tickets to Canada on Air Canada, an 18 kt. diamond and emerald ring from Coin of The Realm, a five-day stay at the One King West hotel in Toronto, Canada, donated by Stephen McLean and "The A's of It", an oil painting by Nettica Symonette.
The third place winner, Herbert Thompson, won an annual physical at Family Medical Clinic, compliments of Dr. Gregory Carey, a three night/two-day stay at Atlantis, a Terri Monique handbag, and an oil painting, unanimously donated and framed by Nassau Glass.
The Annual Heart Ball is the major fundraiser for The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. The foundation was established 50 years ago by Lady Evelyn Sassoon as a memorial tribute to her late husband, Sir Victor Sassoon, to assist persons in The Bahamas with the treatment of heart disease. Today, the foundation's main goal is to assist children with heart care. The foundation has assisted over 4,000 people.
Donations and sponsorships are accepted throughout the year to help this cause. To make a donation, sponsor an event, volunteer or to obtain more information, call 327-0806.
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