CARFRF benefit concert a roaring success

Soul-reaching gospel music and a packed auditorium guaranteed that last Sunday’s Seventh Annual Gospel Extravaganza in Brooklyn, New York, was a roaring success.{{more}}

The event took place at the Lefferts Junior High School, and was produced by the Caribbean-American Renal Failure Relief Fund (CARFRF), in conjunction with the Consulate of St. Vincent and the Grenadines of New York.

Chairman of CARFRF O’Brian Simmons told SEARCHLIGHT that the organization was formed in 2001 in an effort to assist a Vincentian who was in New York and couldn’t afford the kidney transplant and medication that he needed to save his life. Simmons said that over the past seven years the organization has blossomed and now assists others. One such person is Osbert Hooper who had a kidney transplant some time ago. Hooper’s life-saving medication costs more than US$2,000 monthly. The group also assists a female renal failure patient living in St Vincent, among others.

CARRFR is made up of members of the various Vincentian organizations in the US and is mainly funded by these concerts and donations; a bus ride will be held on November 22 and will become an annual feature. Well-known Vincentian jeweler Vincent Bacchus was the first chair and Simmons has been at the helm for the past four years.

In attendance at the concert were Consular General Cosmos Cozier and Mrs. Cozier, Sir Louis and Lady Straker and SVG’s UN Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves. Gonsalves told SEARCHLIGHT this is the seventh year of the event ant that it is a remarkable testimony not only to the organizational skills of the people involved but to the heart and the caring, the compassion and Christian spirit of the Vincentian people who have been coming out in greater numbers every year to support such a worthy cause and that he is honored to be a small part of it.

There was an impressive line-up of performers, including Lady Straker, Stella Glasgow, Frankie, Miles and Harold Mc Intosh, Brother Paul and Wendy Mitchell, among others. Vincy Gospel Diva Bridget Blucher brought the house down, having everyone out of their seats jumping and waving, closing with gospel hit “Gee me room lemme praise me God”.

The master of ceremony was renowned Vincentian voice Don Bobb, and throughout the evening Vincentian foods and beverages were sold.