Contributed
The Halloween Weekend Party at Starfish Trelawny raised US$4,500 for the Special Olympics Caribbean. Muna Issa (left), treasurer of Starfish and SuperClubs Resorts, and Ann Torcivia, owner of Friends Travel Ltd, show off the cheque.
THE EFFORTS of Starfish Trelawny, an all-inclusive family resort, and Friends Travel have raised US$4,500 for the Special Olympics Caribbean (SOC).
Starfish Trelawny hosted its first Halloween weekend party with Friends Travel from October 26-28.
In a news release, it is said that having successfully launched the 'Cruising for Charity' programme in 2004, Ann Torcivia, a travel agent turned philanthropist, conceived of 'Beach Bummin' for Charity' while brainstorming Muna Issa.
Issa, treasurer of Starfish and SuperClubs Resorts, recently joined the board of the Special Olympic Caribbean, and was looking for ways to meld her two passions - hospitality and promoting worthy causes.
Inspiring event
"The Special Olympics is such inspiring event and through our charity weekend getaway with Ann at Friends Travel, we are raising awareness and funds for athletes from my home island of Jamaica as well the region as a whole," Issa said.
She also made reference to the region's success at the recently held World Summer Games in China.
Maureen Webber, SOC chairperson, said: "Special Olympic Caribbean has played a critical role in expanding current programmes and, perhaps more importantly, in breathing new life to previously dormant programmes throughout the region.
"We are continuing to build on our successes, focusing on broadening the capacity of SOC boards, training coaches and working towards an early start on planning our second Special Olympic Regional Games in 2009."
SuperClubs plans to host a second Halloween weekend party with Friends Travel next year at its all-inclusive Breezes Bahamas property in Nassau.