The community is once again looking forward to a spectacular event courtesy of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home fundraising committee. This year the committee is planning a Mardi Gras celebration for its annual fundraiser!

The event, slated for Friday, January 30, will be returning for the second year to Xanadu Beach Hotel. The poolside venue proved to be a splendid atmosphere for the 2007 “Groovin’ 60s” fundraiser. “We usually have our fundraisers in October but switched our event this year due to the economic challenges facing our community,” explains Geneva Rutherford, GB Children’s Home Executive Committee. “Despite these uncertain times, we have been pleasantly surprised with the overwhelming assistance given to us over the holidays and are hoping we can get everyone to come out for Mardi Gras – a great event to help our children,” she adds.

Partygoers will be treated to the excitement of the well-known New Orleans Mardi Gras right here in Grand Bahama. Attendees will be able to purchase fun colorful masks to be worn during the evening, sparkling beads will be thrown out to the crowd during the night, and a Mardi Gras king and queen will be crowned. There will be lots of dancing to the alternating music of a deejay and live band.

Last year’s cuisine was a huge hit for party attendees – with the chocolate fondue topping off a night of wonderful surprises. This year. Chef Maycock and the culinary team from the College of The Bahamas are back again with delicious dishes with New Orleans flair and the Freeport Rugby boys will be mixing up special “Hurricane Punch” too. Additionally there will be a silent auction and raffle to tempt the shoppers in us all.

All of the proceeds from Mardi Gras will go to offset the operational costs of the Home, which relies heavily on corporate and private donations in addition to partial funding from the Government. The Home recently received six additional children bringing the overall total to 30 children between the ages of nine months and 12 years old.

Kelly’s Freeport, a regular supporter of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, kicked off the Mardi Gras spirit with a recent donation of $500. The money was raised from the sale of promotional wrapping paper during the holiday season.

“We believe in and support the work of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, said Lynne Fraino, Human Resources and Marketing Manager at Kelly’s. “We know that this donation comes at a time of need and also comes when much excitement is the air surrounding plans for the grand Mardi Gras celebration.”

Tickets for Mardi Gras can be purchased $40 in advance from the Seventeen Shop, Grand Bahama Port Authority and Barefoot Marketing. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and a drink.

“We are planning lots of fun and surprises for Mardi Gras in Grand Bahama” said Karen Ferguson-Bain, GBCH Committee Member. “We like to pull out all the stops for this event – it’s going to be a fantastic night for our most important cause – our children,” she added.