Joy and sadness as Curaçao Red Cross celebrates 75th anniversary

On the evening of May 18, the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), Curaçao Overseas Branch, celebrated its 75th anniversary with Holy Mass. The evening service at the Church of Bonam was dedicated to its volunteers.

Eight days later, May 26, an official reception for previous and current board members, volunteers and other invitees was held. The evening was held at the Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles in Willemstad.

Some 300 persons were present including the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Sandra Smith; former Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters; Commissioner of Health and Social Affairs, Gimena van der Gen; the Lieutenant Governor, Lizanne Richards-Dindial; NLRC Director Marc Hofstra, and NLRC Head of Internal Affairs, Sjoerd Tolsma.

Board members from other NLRC Overseas Branches - Sint Maarten, Bonaire and Aruba - were present.

During the evening, 32 persons received 10, 20 and 30 Years of Service recognition rewards.

A 50 Years reward was presented to dedicated volunteer, Edwin Valeriano, while Alejandro Tromp was honored for his 53 years of dedication as a volunteer. Five youth volunteers were also officially installed in the adult volunteer group.

NLRC Director Hofstra had a pleasant surprise when he handed over a cheque for 219,000 euros to Curacao Red Cross President Angelo Ramirez, M.D. Ophth.

This money was donated by the Netherlands Disaster Fund from funds raised for operations after hurricane Lenny hit Curaçao and Sint Maarten in 1999.

This money will be used for the renovation of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Center, where disaster operations are coordinated.

The day after the reception, an exclusive fundraising concert took place featuring Mike Rayburn, a virtuous guitarist and entertainer from the United States. Despite there being a competing pop concert that night, the event was a great success.

The reception and fundraising concert were the main events for the 75th anniversary. Plans to continue the celebration include the publication of an anniversary book on Curaçao Red Cross history to be released before year end, and an open day in October at the Red Cross building at Suffisant.

Golf fundraising tournament

Meanwhile, On May 20 the fourth edition of the Red Cross Charity Golf Tournament took place at the Curacao Golf and Squash Club at Emmastad.

A total of 72 persons participated with 25 prizes being handed out to winners. Although the prizes were not as impressive as in previous editions, many expressed their satisfaction with the event, and even requested that it be made a two day event in the future - and even be made an international one!

The tournament raised 8,000 guilders for the Curaçao Red Cross.

Vice-president passes away

During these happy events, there was some sad news as Curaçao Red Cross Vice-president Elvin Joubert passed away May 26. He had been ailing for some time.

On May 12 at Joubert's home, president Ramirez presented him with a reward for his 20 years of dedication, all of which were as a board member. He held the post of treasurer and later, vice-president. All board members were present to honor him.

According to his last wish, a Red Cross funeral was organized for Joubert on May 29.