Tsunami relief concert raises funds

It was slow in getting started but by the time the Institute of Creative Arts Tsunami Relief Show ended at ten on Saturday night, the twelve-hour event managed to raise a respectable sum of money. Well over fifty artists, including dance schools from all over the country, volunteered their time and various businesses that sold food and drinks donated their sales to the cause.

William Neal, Director, Institute for Creative Arts
?I think it went really, really well and it speaks volume about the kind of humanity of the general Belizean population. The artists were really excellent in their response. I wish that we had a little bit more support from the public. But given that it?s January. I think what we raised and the type of spirit that was shown, it was definitely a success. Maybe not in terms of all the monies that were raised, but definitely the intention was there and I think it went well.?

?We raised about nine thousand dollars, which I think was very good for a one day event and something that was really thrown together in such a short period of time. So I?m encouraged by that and I think that later on in the year I?d like to do some similar efforts to some local things like scholarships or the arts in schools.?

Organisers would like to give a special mention to local jazz singer Jennifer Lovell whose idea it was to hold the event. The money raised was handed over to the Belize Red Cross for forwarding to their International headquarters. Meanwhile, Belizeans both at home and abroad who missed the show are still being encouraged to make contributions to the Belize Red Cross at the corner of Gabourel Lane and Handyside Street or at the Red Cross Appeal accounts at all local banks.