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CHARITY champions helping the under-privileged, sick and lonely are calling on the community to support their annual fund-raising drive.
The Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) is staging a benefit dinner and dance event hoping to encourage supporters to laugh, dine and dance for a great cause.
An Arabian-themed charity dinner, staged this Friday at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, aims to raise funds for the organisation’s many community initiatives.
ECC president Reverend Stephen Thanupal, also the Associate Chaplain of St Christopher’s Cathedral, said: “We have nearly 20 volunteers from various churches and communities meeting on a weekly basis to discuss different ways to help the people in Bahrain.
“ECC seeks the well-being of the poor and it has been here for the last 16 years caring for those that need it the most.
“The proceeds raised will be used to provide medical help for cancer patients, student support for the poor and whatever the need is for the expat labourers working in the kingdom. We also have a Bahrain community project which is focused on helping everyone in Bahrain.
“We are here to aid those that need it, regardless of their creed, religion or colour.”
The charity group was formed in 1996 by Irish businessman Frank McGarrya and the good Samaritans of different churches. ECC is nowadays supported by the congregations of St Christopher’s Cathedral, National Evangelical Church, the US base’s Protestant and Catholic communities and the Saar Fellowship.
Mariam George Jacob, past president and current fundraising co-ordinator, added: “During the initial years, there were so many volunteers, non-working women who could utilise their talents and extra time in organising fund-raisers for the ECC.
“Currently, all our volunteers are working full-time and hence the fundraiser is now limited to once-a-year. Approximately BD20,000 is spent annually on various projects and we are aiming to raise at least BD15,000 from this event.”
Members of the ECC spend their free time working on a number of community projects including providing food donations to the poor and helping to pay school tuition fees for students from needy backgrounds, visiting hospital patients and prisoners.
Nilda Hidalgo-Batzes, head of hospital visitation group, said: “We attend to the needs of many expat patients helping with medical fees, repatriation costs or sometimes providing financial aid to their families back home while they are recuperating. I believe in the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s statement ‘We could only do small things, with great love’.”
The groups other initiatives include visiting labour camps as well as the provision of clothes to impoverished families and to housemaids.
The ECC’s Charity Centre, a joint thrift shop collaboration between the group and St Christopher’s Cathedral, also helps raise funds with any income divided equally between the two.
Rehna Pinto, the centre’s co-ordinator, said: “Our unique shop doesn’t seem like a thrift shop until you get to the cash register. The prices range from super-cheap to reasonable. Where else could you buy an evening gown for BD5?
“We accept clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, books, household items, luggage, small pieces of furniture and electronic items in clean, working condition that are suitable for resale.”
Donations can be left at St Christopher’s Cathedral with the caretaker or at the office.
This year’s benefit dinner will feature performances by Arab comedian Yousuf Taha and renowned speaker Abdulla Abandi. Guests will also get the opportunity to win airline tickets, computers and a Samsung Galaxy among other prizes in a raffle draw.
The event will start at 7.30pm and tickets cost BD20 per person inclusive of a buffet and selected drinks. For reservations call 17254508 or 17253866.
