Greetings:
The new year has begun and we look forward to a great 2010. 2009 was a year of challenges, sorrow, excitement and celebrations. We celebrated 20 years of Volunteerism, Community Outreach, Cultural Diversity, Educational Assistance, Health Awareness and Youth Development.
The 20 years milestone was marked by a week long celebration, including a Thanksgiving Service, a Recognition Ceremony and International Games Night, culminated by our Annual Friendship Ball under the chairmanship of Project Manager J. Amanayea Abraham. The Cultural Center where this event was held was transformed into an elegant ambiance, was hardly recognized as the same auditorium, thanks to Elet Cyris and her team. In spite of the adverse economy, thanks to Audrey Campbell and the Journal Team we were able to publish the annual Journal which this year highlighted and captured events over the past 20 years. Without our Advertisers this would not have been possible. This year 2 brand new members Nova Brown and Yvonne Lawrence took on the mammoth task of running the Silent Auction, thanks to the assistance of Mrs. Adrienne Ferrin and 1st VP Rhonda Davis. I commend the entire Friendship Ball Team and 20th Anniversary Team for their hard work in making these events successful.
September 19, 2009 was proclaimed as the CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DAY, both by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and the Village of Royal Palm Beach. It is indeed an honor to be so recognized. It is through the efforts, dedication and service to the community that made this possible.
Our election of Officers was held at the Annual General Membership Meeting on November 14, 2009, and the new officers will need the support of everyone. I exhort members to volunteer themselves on one of our many committees.
There were two main events to end the year, the Toys for Tots at the December 12 General Meeting and the New Years Eve Dinner Dance on December 31, 2009. Our singers went Christmas Caroling to bring cheer to our sick and ailing members.
So far this year we have concluded the Swearing in ceremony during a cold January general meeting and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King celebration which was held on January 18, 2010 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Upcoming events include our Valentine dinner dance on Saturday February 13, 2010 and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life on April 23- 24, 2010. Please contribute to our team and help us achieve our goal of $5,000 in donations that will go towards eradicating this terrible disease. I am sure every one of us has been touched in one way or the other by this disease.
I personally want to express sincere sympathies to those members and past members who have lost loved ones duriing 2009. I share your sorrow as I can associate with you all with the loss of my own loved one.
As I am unable to thank each member individually and personally for their hard work and dedication, I wish to wholeheartedly thank the Board members, all Chairpersons, committees and members for your love and support throughout the past year of my administration. Let us look forward to a better 2010 and work together to keep the CAFCI Light aflame.
God bless you all.