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Contact:
Julita Peter
Monday, February 28, 2005 - Renowned Caribbean comedian, Paul Kings
Douglas along with Barbadian Calypsonian the Mighty Gabby will share the stage
with several local artistes at the 3rd National Community Foundation (NCF)
Telethon scheduled for April 3rd at the Pigeon Island National Park. This was
revealed at the launch of this year’s event on February 28, at the conference
room of the National Insurance Corporation. The launch brought together members
of the local media, sponsors, and NCF beneficiaries.
Chairman of NCF, Donavan Williams said the telethon, which is the Foundation’s
biggest fundraising event was extremely important to the operations of NCF. He
said while the NCF had been successful in meeting its objectives, those
successes had been marked by increased demands and expectations.
“This telethon and this launch is an appeal to us as a people again, to rally
around those who are less fortunate. The entire nation, from the school child to
the private sector to our leaders of government has to come around. I think
everybody can make a contribution, everybody can touch the lives of the less
fortunate”, Mr. Williams said.
Meanwhile, a call for more donations from individuals and corporate
organizations and institutions has come from the Executive Director of the NCF,
Miss Jacintha Lee. Miss Lee said the success of the telethon would depend on the
generosity of St. Lucians.
“For the first seven months of this financial year, which is from August last
year to Friday, a total of 498 persons visited the office of the foundation. To
put it bluntly, we need money, and to make you feel better about money the NCF
stands by two terms that are very vogue and well used in St. Lucia; we are
accountable and we are transparent. We publish our financial statement in
newspapers and in the Gazette,” Miss Lee assured.
Since its inception in 2002, the NCF has disbursed over $800,000 to 35
organizations and 267 individuals.
A national telethon song has been produced by the Hewanorra Musical Society and
the St. Lucia Association of Musicians, featuring local artistes. The song will
be used to promote the telethon via the local media.
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