The Tribune

THE 70th annual Red Cross Fair will be held on March 3 in the lower gardens of Government House, it was announced yesterday.

Co-chairpersons of the event Pauline Allen-Dean and Darnell Bain said they and the committee members have once again organised an exciting and fun-filled day for the entire family.

Each year, the fair caters to thousands of individuals who pass through the gates to enjoy themselves in a wholesome family event featuring games, food and rides.

This year, they said, there will be the usual favourites - conch fritters, guava duff, straw work crafted by local artisans, hoop-la, a punch board, balloons, cotton candy, plants for sale and more.

This event, one of the major fundraisers for the Bahamas Red Cross Society, ensures the continued work of the society's various programmes, including:

• Meals on Wheels - A hot meal is delivered daily to shut-ins and physically challenged persons who are not able to prepare a meal for themselves in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

• School Milk Scheme - Fresh milk is provided to vulnerable children who attend Family Island schools to supplement their daily diet.

• Disaster and emergency relief assistance - The society offers a wide range of assistance initiatives to members of the community who suffer loss as a result of flooding, fire, hurricane, tornado or any other type of disaster.

• Rental of medical equipment - Items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and hospital beds are made available to persons from the community who might need these services. The rental fee is minimal.

• Training - The society offers a wide range of courses in basic and advanced first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), disaster preparedness, vulnerability capacity assessment (VCA), damage and needs assessment (DANA), shelter management and HIV/AIDS education in New Providence and the Family Islands.

• First aid service - Trained volunteers of the society provide first aid and/or ambulance services at national events, sports meets, road races and other functions as the need arises.

• Junior Red Cross/Red Cross Youth - The Youth Department offers a variety of activities for the young, including seminars both at home and abroad, international exchange programmes, training in first aid, CPR, and HIV/AIDS education, sporting activities, services for handicapped children and senior citizens, and day camps.

• After School Mentoring Programme - This club provides structured activities for vulnerable children ages 6-16 between the hours of 3.30pm-5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

• Assistance to refugees - The society provides food, clothing, bedding and other personal items to the Immigration Detention Centre for distribution to illegal immigrants and political and economic refugees.

• Family Island Services - The society provides welfare and emergency relief services as well as training in first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness to residents in the Family Islands. The society also has a communication network of member groups in 10 islands.